It is ten days until we fly for India...
I've spent the past week and a half in a Math workshop in Raleigh, learning lots of really rich and interesting stuff to take back to my classes next year. And it's helped me keep my mind off of the nervousness and excitement of this upcoming adventure.
For those of you who are interested enough to follow along with my trip through this blog, I thought I'd give you a quick breakdown of our itinerary, so that you'll have some idea of what's coming each day. It goes like this:
- July 5th - Departure from Raleigh
- July 6th - Arrive in Mumbai
- July 7th - MUMBAI
- July 8th thru 14th - PUNE
- July 15th thru 19th - DELHI
- July 20th - AGRA, Departure from Delhi, India
- July 21st - Arrive back in Raleigh
As I sit here in my home of 5 people, I think about the fact that India's population density is about 10 times that of the United States. I suppose that would be like my home having 50 people in it. Hard to imagine. We've been told that the people and noise will be the first things that we will struggle to come to grips with.
While in India, we will be doing many things. We will be visiting many significant sites of course, but we will also be making connections in the education, business, and charitable worlds. We will visit several schools, even taking some time to lead some of the Indian students in a short lesson. We will visit a few very successful businesses and learn about how India is using technology to move to the forefront of the worlds economy. We will get to spend time with some significant and highly respected men and women who are key figures in India's rise to international importance.
We have been told that we will see the best...and sometimes the worst, that India has to offer. I think often of a quote we heard during our orientation: "India is America 50 years ago, and 50 years from now." The very title of the program we are on is called "India - A Study in Contrasts." I expect to be confronted with the Indian reality that both a thing and it's opposite can both be true.
I watched the charming movie, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" not too long ago. There is a lovely exchange between the two characters Evelyn and Muriel that I have chosen as my personal philosophy for this trip. It goes like this:
Evelyn: "Nothing here has worked out quite like I expected."
Muriel: "Most things don't. But sometimes what happens instead is the good stuff."
So, ten days until I embark on what I expect will be one of the great adventures of my life. It seems only fitting to at least ponder some goals for the trip, and so I have. I share them with you in the hopes that, should you see me wander from them or my personal philosophy, you might set me straight while there is still time left to accomplish them.
1. Embrace India
I want and plan to soak as much of it in as possible. No fears that lead to later regrets. No opportunities squandered. I want to see it, hear it, feel it, taste it, and yes, smell it.
2. Make Friends
I'm sure that the 30+ people who are also on this trip will become treasured friends just by the time and experiences we will share. But I also want to make some friends within India. Whether teachers at the schools we visit, students, our host family, people at the hotels, I just want to be very open to actually getting to know some people whose lives are lived out half way around the globe from me.
3. Chronicle It All
Most especially, I want to be able to share as much of this experience as possible with as many of my friends, family, and students as possible. I'll be keeping up this blog daily during the trip. I'll be taking lots of pictures of course. I'll also be carrying a paper journal along with me every day, so those special moments don't get lost before I can get them into the nightly blog.
4. LEARN!
Gosh, this one is a bit of a no-brainer I suppose, but so important to me. As much as I want to experience India, I want to learn more about India, it's culture, it's history, and it's people. I know a 14 day trip won't make me an expert, but I'm hoping it will at least light the fire for wanting to learn even more.
5. FOOD!
If you know me...shoot, if you've SEEN me, you know that food is very special to me. I love to cook, and I love to try new foods. We were teased during the program orientation with an Indian meal at a restaurant in Cary. The next day I was assured emphatically by one of our Indian guests that TRUE Indian food was FAR superior to what we had there. And I can't wait! (Of course I may the tour participant who spends a day in his hotel bathroom as a result but, hey...)
And that's it. I suppose I could have done a more impressive list, but I think these will do for me. To say I'm excited, well...it's just not nearly enough. My one sadness is that I won't have my best friend with me on the trip. But she has lovingly supported my participation, even though she must be at the end of her tolerance for my bubbly anticipation. I love you darling, and I will miss you!
See you all tomorrow! Namaste!
