I'm Not Dead Yet

I'm here! I'm alive! I finally have internet! Yes, I know I have been in Bangalore for two weeks already, but I'm going to start from the beginning:

Plane rides are not the most comfortable experience in the world. The seats are cramped, the food is bad, the bathrooms are nasty and you're stuck making awkward conversation with your neighbors. Now, imagine dealing with all of this for twenty-four hours. Oh yes, not fun. The first leg of the trip was a 15-hour flight to Hong Kong. I was in seat 48F. I had an Indian guy on my right and an old Sikh couple on my left. Both men seemed to believe that they had the right to both arm rests. At one point, both of them fell asleep leaning in my direction. It was a bit cramped and very awkward. All in all though, the flight could have been a lot worse. Cathay Pacific had enough movies and TV shows to keep me occupied almost the entire time.

When we finally landed in Hong Kong, I got to meet the rest of the USAC people on the group flight. All of my flat-mates were there so it was nice to have that time to talk to them. The second leg of the flight, I'm glad to say, was way better. It was a seven-hour flight and, once again, I was in seat 48F. This time, however, fate took pity on me. I was the only person in my row. I got to spread out across the four empty seats and sleep for the entire flight. It was wonderful!

When we got off the plane and finished with customs, we left the front door and got our first look at India. My first impression was that it was not what I expected. People tell stories about arriving in India and talk about being drenched with sweat in minutes and the smell of sewage greeting you at the doors. In reality, the air was fresh and while there was more humidity than Spokane, it wasn't unbearable. Apparently 2:00 in the morning is the perfect time to arrive in Bangalore.

It was late, we were all exhausted, but after 10 months of waiting, I was finally in India.

Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair

I know, I know. I promised more updates and I lied. Who would have thought that working part-time at Macy's would be so exhausting.

I'm on my way. I flew to San Francisco this morning. From Spokane to Las Vegas and from Las Vegas to San Francisco. Not too bad, especially considering that the next leg of my trip will take 24 hours.

So far I feel...okay. I did better than I thought on the plane over. I thought I would be much more freaked out. Now I'm starting to get a bit more panicky. I'm in a hostel now and while it is very nice, one of my roommates seems a bit scary. Not a student, more like an old homeless lady. I'm sitting in a lounge area because I don't want to stay in my room. I feel out of place and at this moment I just want to go home. I wish I had sprung for a single room.


Oh well, I'll be fine. I definitely won't be getting much sleep this week. I don't land in Bangalore until 1:30 am Monday morning and have to be up and ready for orientation at 8:30 am. I'll be exhausted and I'm sure I'll be a sobbing mess by the end of the week. Don't be too freaked out by that. Things will start to calm down after the first week is over. I'll be able to sleep and will begin adjusting to everyday life in Bangalore.

Talk to you when I get there!

Closer and Closer, Longer and Longer

In two months and three weeks I will be in Bangalore! I actually sent in my reservation form for my flight to Bangalore last week (and I assume they received it). My first payment is due on November 1st. It is really happening! Everyday brings be closer and closer to arrival, which I will now refer to as B-Day. I've also noticed that every day my To Do list grows longer and longer. Every couple of hours I remember something that I have to do or have to buy. Instead of doing it, I often just write in down and freak out the next day when I realize that it still needs to be done (not a very efficient system, I know). At least I finally found a job, so now I have money for everything.

I have to send in my visa application soon, which makes me very nervous. I wish the Indian embassy was in Spokane so I could apply in person. Why anyone would put an embassy in Spokane is beyond me; I just don't like sending important documents in the mail. My luck isn't great and that just feels like I'm taunting fate. "Hey Fate, I dare you to lose my passport, personal information, and birth certificate in the mail!" I'm sure it will be fine. I need to trust the people at UPS/FedEx/the Post Office.

As B-Day moves closer and my list grows longer, I'll have so much more to say. Until then, bon voyage!!

Holy Crap!!

In exactly three months and 12 hours I will be in the San Francisco airport waiting to board my plane to India. Mon Dieu!!

My feelings about going to India have become much more complex. When I talk with people about my trip, I get excited and can't wait to leave. But when I'm alone in my room and think about the fact that I am actually leaving and all the stuff I need to do before January 9th I start to freak out. Then, when my thoughts lead to money, I go into a full-blown panic attack. I start wondering if this is really a good idea. I know it will be a wonderful experience but I can't help but think that I can't do it. I'm the type of person who has terrible buyer's remorse. Before and immediately after any big purchase or big decision I start having second thoughts. I wonder if I made the right decision. I'm almost always happy with my choice, but there is always some initial hesitation.

As the days count down there will be more to say and more posts (finally). Until then, bon voyage.

Erika

Sitting in Bed, Mourning my Losses

In an ideal world, I would be in Spain right now, getting ready to leave the ISA orientation for Meknes, Morocco. In a less-than-ideal-but-still-ok world, I would be working so that I can go back to school and travel some more. Well kids, this is not an ideal world. This is not even a less-than-ideal-but-still-okay world. Instead, I am sitting in my room, looking at the want ads in the paper, and waiting for fate to favor me for once.

Have you ever wondered if you took a wrong path in life? Not a regret really, but more of a dark suspicion that you made a decision that ruined everything. That might be a little over dramatic, but my plans have failed so badly that I wonder if I messed up somewhere. If this isn't my destiny, what is? I just want to scream at the universe, "Don't just step on me, guide me!"

I guess I just have to keep on truckin'. Now that the option of Morocco is gone for good and going back to school can't happen right now, I have nowhere else to go. I'm stuck and all I can do is keep pushing forward and hope that some higher power rewards my efforts.

Well my lovelies, that is all for now. Hopefully I'll have some more cheerful things to say next time. Ta ta.

Not Much

I know, I'm a terrible blogger. I haven't written in over a month. Nothing has been going on. I moved back to Spokane and am currently looking for a job.

I've been looking into travel options. I want to take the opportunity to see as much as I can. I'm looking at stopping in Tokyo on my way to Bangalore and in London and New York on my way back. In between, who knows. Some of the others who are going to India with me have been discussing travelling together up to Agra (where the Taj Mahal is) and New Delhi. Another girl wants to go to Thailand and Cambodia and I would love to go with her. Hopefully I can afford it :)

I'm starting to get more excited. I can't bring myself to make any real plans or get too excited until November. The first payment for the program is due on November 1st and once that's in, I can relax and get excited (and very nervous). Until then, I keep thinking that something is going to go wrong. Part of me is expecting the entire plan to fall apart, leaving me in Spokane until September. That would really suck because I've already told so many people about India. I don't really want to have to explain that disappointment.

Other than that, not much has happened. I'm just sitting in Spokane, waiting for a change. Until then my friends, bon voyage ;)


Erika America

Changes

It has been an interesting month. Everything has fallen apart. I can't go to Morocco, I have to move back home to work, I almost lost my scholarships and the stupid ATM machine destroyed my debit card. All in about two weeks. It is being worked out and things are being put back together again, but in the process I have changed. During this time my entire future was crumbling around me and while I was scared, I found that I didn't really care. This path that I'm on, I don't know if it is the right one anymore. Every anthropology class I take makes me feel more confused and more discouraged. I want to travel and learn about different cultures. I don't want to respond to every comment with a question like "Is that really how it is?" "How do you know?" or "Where does this problem come from?" Getting nothing but unanswered questions as responses is really annoying!

I've looked a bit at different majors but it would only mean starting over again and I can't afford that. Besides, I'm one foundational course away from a minor in anthropology and two foundational courses away from my International Studies major. So I might as well stick with it so I can get my degree. But this has left me with the question of what to do next. If anthropology isn't right, what is?

I know I want to travel. I want to finish learning Arabic. I want to see something for what it is, not for the pieces I end up with after analyzing it to death. I would love to be a travel writer or photographer. Seeing the world and helping others see it as well. But where is the security in that? There aren't many full-time careers for travel writers. What would I do in-between?

The answer is: I still don't know. At least now the question has been asked. An answer will come with time. Until then, maybe this blog can be my practice round before I attempt to battle the big, over-crowded world of travel media. Thanks for letting me vent a bit. I know that isn't technically what the blog is for, but get ready for it. My first couple weeks in India will probably result in a lot of posts like these. Until next time.

Bon voyage