On 5 February, less than a month from today, I will be heading back to the great land of India for nearly ninety days. If I manage to survive the aggressive monkeys and crazy elephants, it will be the longest trip I have ever been on. Why are you going to India for such a lengthy time, one might ask? Well, Curious George, there are a couple key answers to this question.
One is that, thanks to some voodoo magic and an absurd number of classes last fall, I have enough credits for junior status. Although people are quick to point out that such a situation won’t necessarily make me graduate any faster, something or other about my major, I think it’s justification enough to take the winter and spring terms off. Worst case scenario is that I have to take summer school.
Secondly is that, and this is the primary reason mind you, using frequent flier miles doesn’t guarantee you specific travel dates. In fact, the airlines don’t even really let you pick your vacation when you’re using a free ticket to get to a foreign country. Upon the surprise of learning the earliest day I could return to the States was May 3rd, I thought, “err… I’ll take it?”
My parents aren’t exactly ecstatic about that decision, but you’ve got to take the opportunities as they come!
The itinerary for this trip, at this point, is a rough draft. I know for sure I will be working in some capacity on Whitman Direct Action’s Sadhana Clean Water Project for the first month and a half. The conference will put me in Mumbai on and around 19 March 2008. Other than that, I have two specific goals. My first hope is to parallel the WDA project with a one of my own. Involving photography. And a critical eye. Ideas in my mind I have, but I need to get them together pretty soon so I can get spec letters out. My second wish is to see Northern India, the entire half I missed during my first trip. Potential stops include Rajahstan, the Taj, and Dharmasala.
My itinerary as it unfolds (which may be not the best choice of words) will be published for everyone to see. And most important, I’ll be blogging every step of the way!
Some logical, if not brilliant, advice I’ve gotten so far:
- Keep your camera in sight at all times
- Baby shampoo can be used as toothpaste and shampoo
- Put dental floss in your sewing kit, it’s the most indestructible thread out there
- Keep a copy of your passport in your webmail
From the way it looks so far, India 2008 is going to be one epic journey.
Update: You can now keep updated on these adventures (or lack there of) by using my subscribe page or joining the Facebook Group.