A Leaky Boat
Hoshangabad, India — The boat you see is a ferry system to cross the Narmada River. I just rode in the boat to this shore and know why the men are standing: the bottom is full of water. As I rode across, I raised my legs as I sat on one of the benches, trying to balance my shoes on the curved side of the boat to avoid inundation. A memory of a doctor’s warning against touching open water sources in India flooded my head; but I could not have anticipated this adventure. Now on dry land, I am standing …