India. The great unknown.
At least for me that is. In the literal sense I am prepared as I have my Indian Visa, my shots, and my medication. But I honestly do not know if I am prepared. I know India will be unlike anywhere else I have traveled. I know there will be streets congested with traffic, people, and animals. I know there will be beauty and colors unlike I have never seen before. I know there will be a level of poverty and a world of privilege I have never experienced before. Am I ready? I don't know and I haven't really thought about what it all means.
With two weeks to go until I arrive in a country that I still know little about I have begun to try and mentally prepare my self for what I will see and what I will experience. Of course I have researched the palaces, mosque's, cultural sites I want to visit but I have just begun to dig deeper into the many cultures and the people. With every tid bit I learn about the Indian people and their way of life it all still feels like a dream to me and is still very foggy.
Since Michele is the expert in my book because she has been once before she has also tried to prepare me. She has told me what I can expect as far as some of the levels of poverty and the living conditions I will see. I know no matter how much she preps me none of this will actually prepare me for the gamut of what I will experience while there. I do feel like an ignorant American on the cusp of what could be a great enlightenment.
The one thing that is certain is that I am prepared for the food. I can not wait to eat my way through India. I have loved Indian food since the first time I tried it. I know that indian food in India will also be unlike any Indian food I have had. In this area I can confidently say I am ready. Bring on the Dosa and the Puri Puri!
Along with the food I can't wait to see the cultural sites as well as the backwaters in Kerala and the tea plantations in Munar. I can't wait to see the cities, towns, meet the people and more importantly learn their stories. I look forward to this new adventure and while intimidated and maybe a bit scared I am hopeful. I look forward to learning about another way of life unlike my