Before leaving . . . .

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I'm on the verge of leaving
teetering on the edge of something
not quite here
not quite there

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I have packed ridiculously light and may suffer hypothermia along the way as well as very bad fashion. I've not booked much in advance just the plane tickets and one internal flight form Delhi to Mumbai, which I think I'll try and change when I arrive. I have also booked online a train ticket to Varanasi from Delhi as I just want to get our of Delhi as fast as possible once I arrive. the Indian rail site is really great and even though I haven't booked my train journeys I have looked up the times so I have a good idea of what trains I do want to catch. And I've put all that info into my Blackberry for extra easy easiness.

I've packed my backpack tonight and have to work tomorrow because I have a new person starting so I can just trow them in the deep end.... well I could, but I'm not. If all goes well I'll piss off early and wallow in anticipation for the rest of the afternoon. Or perhaps ferret about repacking my backpack in different paradigmatic themes..... similarly coloured objects; objects used for certain uses; supermarket groupings like hardware, electrical, sport and fashion.

Saw Dad on the weekend and said he can share my blog if her likes. He's "travelling by the seat of his pants" and leaving everything up to me or just up to the last minute. I think this is revenge for having taken me on various family holidays in the past where I got to leave all arrangements to him and Mum. But I guess if it came down to taking a 9 year old or a 65 year old I think I'll stick with Dad.

I'm not too sure what novel I shall bring as my travel companion this time. Last time I brought Kafka on the Shore my Haruki Murukami and it was totally wrong and I still have not finished the novel to this day though it served as a very good pillow on my overnight train trips. I've travelled with Graham Green's "Our Man in Havana" to south America and he was great company. I've had a liaison with D Lawrence's "Lady Chatterly's Lover" but I'm not too sure if I could really go another round of damp english coal mining town again with "Sons and Lovers" which I am saving for just the right moment. Dad's bringing the Bahgavad Gita, but I'm not too sure if I can really go the whole "total emersion".... hmmm perhaps English coal mines may be the go? suggestions are welcome at this point.

I'll be up in sydney tomorrow night for and early champaign breakfast the next day before I fly off. I know that's not very yogic but it is very glamorous and I won't get pissed if that's what you are thinking!

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Comments

[fiona]

Who organised what I wonder ?
Sounds like you're ready to rumble. Your Father is a born autocrat. I suspect your Ma did the organising. Travel Happy...:).

[Everard Tarascio]

Bon voyage
Hi Pi Wei I'm in France at the moment so can say that :). Great to hear you are just about to leave for India. I've read Nick Hornby's A Long Way Down and another book called Middlesex (can't remember the author) recently and enjoyed them a lot, both passed down to me from my daughter after we travelled together. I'd give them to you to take but haven't worked out how to dematerialise them and send across the ether so they get to you in time. Hope you have a wonderful time (and your father too). Wow, you'll only be 6000kms away, not 12,000. un fuerte abrazo Everard

[Hazel]

A book, perhaps?
Have a wonderful time, Ms Lim! How about 'The Time-Traveler's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger? I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it might suit a travel in time and space....

[christoph]

fleeting moments
dearest val majestic moment to be on the road with your father and the idea of a book to read leaves me flabbergasted what to read the choice you had for sth america was right on the mark for india well a bit of dalrymple could do the trick mmmm maybe a bit serious i have just had a run on kurt vonnegut jr easy and imaginative leaves room for india to leave its impressions...look forward to you updates one day i to will see mother india and her breathless beauty love and safe travels my friend

[Sally M]

Bon Voyage....
Well, Piwei bella, it could have been Italy, but India sounds like a great adventure in lieu of going the whole hog ... I can't wait to read all your updates! Have a great trip my dear and do be good to your lovely Dad!