Preparations

I got word on Friday that the Fulbright has been notified that my authorization has been granted, but there is still no paperwork. This means that I have been given permission to discuss flight arrangements with the program, but they will not book them until they have the paperwork. But just looking at the flight itinerary makes me feel better. I am actually going.

As the take-off date approaches, I am feeling my normal anxiousness. But I'm quite accustomed to the, "What the heck have I gotten myself into?!" voices. My real problem with these feelings is that the only way I've found to alleviate them is to buy more things. I am a sucker for anything at this point. A new headlamp, sure! A set of luggage for $63, you bet! A pair of scissors that fold up, perfect! A sale on Pepto-Bismol, faaabulous. Slowly, the spare bed is getting filled with all of these handy-dandy drugs and apparatus.

Books are another guilt-free purchase for me. So far, I've accumulated two travel guides (Lonely Planet and The Rough Guide), India: The Cultural Companion, the Lonely Planet Healthy Travel Guide for Asia and India (don't worry, mom!), and a novel that I intend to read on the journey, A Fine Balance. I'm also currently re-reading The Bhagavad-Gita. (Re-reading, is perhaps a poor choice of words here. Did I really read this before? It's in my collection, and I studied eastern religions, but I honestly don't remember reading it. . . Maybe I went to White Castle or something that day.)

I just finished a great book, which I would recommend called Snakes and Ladders by Gita Mehta. She describes the cultural and historical situation in India in a series of short essays. It is the perfect history book for me because it comes in short, interestingly written bursts. I'm hoping to look up her other books while in India--Karma Cola, Raj, and A River Sutra. She also referenced a book called All About H. Hatterr, by G. V. Desani, which I really should read while abroad. I also couldn't help but borrow India Unveiled from the library which has gorgeous photos from across India.

After examining this pile, perhaps it's a good thing that I bought a new luggage set. It's probably also good that my car died recently--quite possibly a sign.