Visa has arrived!

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So this solidifies it! Today after doing a lot of nothing, ie. watching reruns of The Office, I get a phone call from my mother. "Your visa came!!" My heart leapt and I knew that this was the real thing. This past week my nerves started hitting me hard. I'm not sure exactly what it is but I think part of it was the uncertainty of when that little sticker in my passport would arrive. It's so funny how after weeks of excitement and eagerness that timidness and fear were starting to creep their way in. I'm not going to let those feelings last though!

I've been reading my travel books constantly. It's amazing how I can read the same things over and over again, yet I forget it before I read it again. I'm going to have to be really conscious of my behavior over there "Take your shoes off before entering anyone's house. Don't point at anyone with your finger. Never use your left hand for eating. Don't touch a child on their head. ect." I'm sure it will all come quickly once I'm there, it's just so bizarre how things that are perfectly acceptable at home are considered morally repulsive elsewhere. I hope I don't offend anyone too badly.

There are only three weeks left until I leave. It may sound like a lot, but it's coming quickly! I'll be flying out of Raleigh, with a layover in New York, then landing in Delhi. Talk about a long flight (17.5 hours) yikes! From Delhi, I'll be taking either the train or another plane to Kashmir, where I will be spending the first month of my trip. Srinagar is the town where I'll be living. It's a town on the Dal lake in northern India. It is infamous for the houseboat community and their fine textiles. I will be staying with a Muslim family (grandparents, one of their sons and his wife and children, a married daughter who is 6 months pregnant (her husband is in Delhi), several other relatives, and a couple of people who work for the family). Luckily for me, most of them speak english!

While I'm there I will be going into the town and sitting with artisans who weave pashmina scarves. I am so excited for this! I'm not really sure what to expect, but from what I've read, they make the best in the world. Srinagar is also near the base of the Northern Himalayas. I'm hoping to get away on a hiking trip or two while I'm there.

I received some more great news today as well. My neighbor across the street in Southern Pines was born in India, and when I told her I was going to be staying in Srinagar, the first thing she said was "Oh, they have really good food there." For those of you who know me well, you know this was music to my ears!

More to come..

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Comments

[Mike Pratt]

Food
Chimichanga con curry, sounds just about right!