India Bound - August 23, 2011

At long last, it is beginning to seem like a reality.  For so many years, I have

dreamed of returning to India but something has always interfered.  I even

had a ticket purchased last year but ended up being hospitalized and that

wreaked havoc with my plans.  I have, once again, arranged my flights,

via Air France, with frequent flyer miles, and my departure date will be

October 23, 2011, just 20 days after my 67th birthday.  I will have to

overnight at Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris but that's fine.  It will give

me a little rest before I finally arrive in Mumbai.  I had initially thought I

might snooze at the airport but, considering my advanced years, I think I'll

splure and stay at a hotel instead.

I've already had most of my shots but there are a few remaining medical

tasks to complete - malaria medications to start taking before my departure,

a visit to my doctor for a summary of my medical conditions and a copy of

my medications, and that sort of thing.  I will visit an Indian doctor here for

recommendations for consults in India should that be necessary - but I hope

I'll be fine while I'm there.  However, I'm staying for SIX MONTHS so it's

best to be prepared!

To say that I am excited is a vast understatement.  I have been keeping

in touch with my many friends, mostly Royal Caribbean staff I've known

over the years, many of whom have offered me a place to stay while I

am there.  I am hoping to meet some of the new friends I've made in the

blogging community, as well. 

If anyone knows reasonable accomodations throughout India, please let me

know.  Since my job loss, now almost three years ago, I don't have funds for

some of the palatatial hotels for which India is famous.  I'd be happy for a

clean, safe place to sleep.  

I will start off my Indian adventure in Mumbai, where I stayed in 1997 for ten

days.  My friend, Santos, his wife, Lorna, and his two sons, Nick and Jake, are

there, living quite close to the international airport.  Many of my other Royal

Caribbean friends also live close by.

During my stay in India, I am hoping to cover many parts of this vast, lovely

country with its amazing history, culture, and diversity.  The food has always

been a favorite of mine, laced with exotic spices and tantalizing aromas and I

will certainly avail myself of it and, hopefully, return home able to cook many

Indian dishes.

I might even learn to speak a little Hindi - though I am most fortunate that

English is spoken almost everywhere!

My son, Jeremy, has said he might come to see me for a couple of weeks on

vacation which would be wonderful.  He is an avid traveler and always

embraced other cultures wholeheartedly.  I think some of my love of travel

certainly rubbed off on him.

In the next two months, I do have my work cut out for me.  I have to finish

packing up my house, sell many things on Craig's list, decide what I will be

taking to India, and finish myriad tasks.  If  I'm a bit slow in attending to blog

duties, forgive me. 

I will take my aging computer with me, of course, and, as often as I can, I'll

be posting.  Please think of me often and remember me in your prayers this

six months I will be away.  I return to the USA April 10, 2012 - but I won't

be leaving for another two months yet.

NAMASTE.