Today I had to finish buying stuff and packing. It's also my birthday, which is fun, but who wants to run errands like getting an extra SD card for the camera on their birthday?
I also discovered that most Indian families don't use dryers. laundry is washed and then hung on the roof of the building to dry. This led me to purchase some new bras and panties, as I realized it probably wouldn't be appropriate for my old undies to hang out on a roof in India. Hope my mother-in-law doesn't think my choices are too risque!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Leaving for India
I'm leaving for India on the 1st. I'm going to try to remember to blog and post pictures and stuff about the trip. However, the connectivity levels I'll be experiencing in India won't be the greatest, so I may have to journal (like on real paper) and then transfer it online.
As a background for the trip, I'm going to meet my new in-laws. I got married to my husband in October, in Boise, Idaho, and we'll be having a traditional Hindu ceremony on April 11th in Andhra Pradesh.
I've never traveled outside of the U.S. Well, that's not entirely true. I've been to Canada overnight once, and once on a day trip, but still. It was pre-9/11 and I didn't even need a passport. In fact, where we were, they still took American dollars. Anyhow, I haven’t traveled a lot and I plan on writing about my trip. So, for those of you who have traveled, some of this may be a little silly, or seem naïve. These, however, are my thoughts and discoveries.
First, I was surprised to hear that in India, the majority of the population doesn’t use toilet paper. They wash with water in the bathroom. I have heard this is common outside the US, but it frankly weirded me out a bit. Therefore, I purchased a large stockpile of flushable baby wipes in preparation of the trip. We’ll see if I’ve brought enough to last – and if I clog up the toilets all over Asia!
Next, I have to give a shout-out to my coworkers at the nameless college where I teach. When I told them of my trip and my mother-in-law’s desire that I wear traditional Indian lady clothing (yes, I know there are names for the clothes), they offered outfits they had worn all over the globe to cover my lack. Very cool of them. My mother-in-law is also having several saris made. Therefore, my packing for this trip has been a little weird: underwear, traditional Indian clothing I’ve never worn, baby wipes, and jewelry. I keep thinking I’m forgetting something. This is a common thing for me when I’m packing – I used to panic before debate trips in college. I got over this for awhile when I realized that no matter where I traveled for competition, as long as I had my contacts and my prescriptions, I could purchase anything else. Again, this trip throws me off. What if I can’t purchase what I need? I'll find out in 36 hours!
As a background for the trip, I'm going to meet my new in-laws. I got married to my husband in October, in Boise, Idaho, and we'll be having a traditional Hindu ceremony on April 11th in Andhra Pradesh.
I've never traveled outside of the U.S. Well, that's not entirely true. I've been to Canada overnight once, and once on a day trip, but still. It was pre-9/11 and I didn't even need a passport. In fact, where we were, they still took American dollars. Anyhow, I haven’t traveled a lot and I plan on writing about my trip. So, for those of you who have traveled, some of this may be a little silly, or seem naïve. These, however, are my thoughts and discoveries.
First, I was surprised to hear that in India, the majority of the population doesn’t use toilet paper. They wash with water in the bathroom. I have heard this is common outside the US, but it frankly weirded me out a bit. Therefore, I purchased a large stockpile of flushable baby wipes in preparation of the trip. We’ll see if I’ve brought enough to last – and if I clog up the toilets all over Asia!
Next, I have to give a shout-out to my coworkers at the nameless college where I teach. When I told them of my trip and my mother-in-law’s desire that I wear traditional Indian lady clothing (yes, I know there are names for the clothes), they offered outfits they had worn all over the globe to cover my lack. Very cool of them. My mother-in-law is also having several saris made. Therefore, my packing for this trip has been a little weird: underwear, traditional Indian clothing I’ve never worn, baby wipes, and jewelry. I keep thinking I’m forgetting something. This is a common thing for me when I’m packing – I used to panic before debate trips in college. I got over this for awhile when I realized that no matter where I traveled for competition, as long as I had my contacts and my prescriptions, I could purchase anything else. Again, this trip throws me off. What if I can’t purchase what I need? I'll find out in 36 hours!
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