Finally arrived in Delhi

Americans are required to get a visa prior to entering India. I applied for an "e-visa" last month; paid the fee and got my papers in about two days.  This was the first time I had gotten a visa "e-visa".  Most countries let Amercans travel without a pre-arranged visa but when they don't, it's usually a more complicated process that requires mailing in your passport and takes several weeks. This e-visa was very easy so I was a bit concerned that I might run into a problem.  Indeed, I did. When the agents at each of the airports couldn't find a visa stamped in my passport, I had to show them my papers and convince them that my passport would be stamped when I arrived at the Delhi airport. I had to wait several minutes at the gate in Abu Dhabi while the plane was boarding and I waited for an airport authority to approve my departure. But, I'm here now and my passport is stamped. 

Last Long Walk

Tomorrow morning's walk will be a quick one; well before the sun rises. So, this will be our last long walk before I return in August. It was still pretty warm but Sweenwy and I decided to just sit on a bench and enjoy the fresh air and our last few moments before I leave. We'll have an extra Milkbone before we hit the bed tonight. 

Predeparture Rituals

My plane takes off in just 14 hours. I'm mostly packed and ready to go so, I'm just spending some time going over some of my pre-departure rituals. One of them is making sure all my dollars are clean and crisp. Many foreign currency exchanges will not accept currency that has been torn or soiled. In Mongolia they wouldn't even take it if it had been folded. Mine looks pretty good. Now I just need to try and get a good night's sleep. I'll be getting up at 4am. 

Preparing for Another Culture

I'll be leaving in just three days. Most of my preparation is complete so I've just been doing some reading about India and Nepal. India will come first and this is what the GEEO website has to say:

India is a country which is very different...... Although this means it is not the easiest place to travel, this is also what makes it so special. Pollution, poverty and the crowds can result in initial culture shock but should be seen as an exciting new challenge.   ...(Visitors)....have come to love this large and wonderfully different country but...should always expect to encounter some difficulties along the way.

In India there are very different attitudes to time keeping, public cleanliness, privacy and service. Trains will sometimes be late, plumbing can sometimes be temperamental and power will often just vanish. Optimistic menus turn out to have only one dish available and everyone, just everyone, will want to know your name. If you are able to travel with a lot of patience and a healthy sense of humor, then you will be captivated by what India has to offer.

Counting Down the Days

The school year has ended and I have now completed my AP summer institute. So, I can give my full attention to getting ready for my great adventure of 2015.  I completed my visa application on line and it's been approved. It's time to double check my to-do list and start packing my backpack. 

Jesse, the director of GEEO, posted this link on FaceBook today. 

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/06/thank-you-culture-india-america/395069/ 

It's an excellent example of how two different cultures interpret the same expression and why learning a new language is more than just vocabulary and grammar. 

Man's Best Friend All Around the World

If you know me, you know I love my dogs. That's one thing my Hindu brothers and sister in Nepal and I have in common. 

On the Hindu calendar, Diwali is a time of gift-giving, storytelling, and recognition of the relationships humans have with all things.  In Nepal, Diwali is called Tihar. Similar to other Diwali observances, lamps are lit at night during Tihar. The festival of lights celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of knowledge over ignorance, and the dissolution of barriers that separate humans from authentic experience of the world. Nepalese Hinduism is unique in dedicating the second day of Tihar, Kukur Tihar, to the worship of dogs.

Successful Weekend at the Asian Festival

Last Saturday the Crow Collection of Asian Art allowed me and the Obama Junior World Affairs Council to set-up a booth at their annual Asian Festival at the Clyde Warren Park. We helped fair goers create Lotus Blossom Blessings and record video expressions of support for the people of Nepal. I will take the Lotus Blossom Blessings and video with me this summer and present them to the Planeterre Foundation in Kathmandu. 

Watch the video:

http://youtu.be/wC9Y9w2HR_c