Only two days left before I board my flight to India! I will be traveling around Asia for three months. I know that leaving, especially when things aren't particularly settled at home, is a form of escape; however, this is something I desperately need. Armed with a large backpack, some clothes and a whole lotta excitement, I'm ready to embark on a fabulous adventure.
In the meantime, it looks like a tornado has swept through my mother's 1 bedroom apartment. I have clothes, books, and odds and ends scattered everywhere! Add three dogs and a cat and things just become ridiculous. It seems like a good foundation for a TV sitcom.
Just to give you a glimpse into my itinerary:
I leave for Delhi, India on the 28th (arriving in the afternoon on the 29th)
I begin an Intrepid group tour, "Delhi to Kathmandu" (such an original name) on the 30th. Here is a link to the formal tour write-up: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/trips/HHSK
I was originally going to do the Tibet/Nepal trip but decided against it. First of all, I don't think I'm in good enough shape to hike to Everest Base Camp. Granted, I could have used the trip as an excuse to whip myself into shape in a short amount of time. That seemed like too much work though. Plus, I'd rather return at a later date and devote a good two weeks to hiking Everest (even if it is only to base camp). Plus, the Chinese government seems to be cracking down on entry into Tibet. So, it seems like I made a good decision in choosing an alternative tour. At least that's what I'm telling myself (cognitive dissonance?). Plus, with 'Delhi to Kathmandu' I get to experience the chaos of India in a relatively 'safe' setting. I can't imagine having to navigate Delhi on my own. Even the half day there I have by myself before the tour starts seems a bit overwhelming. It's not that I can't amuse myself and navigate the city, I just have heard lots of stories about lone women being groped and harassed. Oh well. Just a part of the adventure I guess.
Wow, for a first post this one is looooooooooooooong. Especially for someone who even gets overwhelmed responding to long emails.
I will try to keep this blog updated as much as I can. I am not taking a computer with me, so I'll probably be relying on internet cafes.
अलविदा (Goodbye)
