Packing        

    Today is the day! In 5 1/2 hours I head out for the airport. I was finally able to force myself into packing yesterday. I LOVE to travel, yet I HATE to pack. This is the 4th time I've needed to pack for a long international trip. I've lived in Muscat, Oman twice while studying Arabic in graduate school and now my second long trip to India. Packing for India is special. Not because I'm packing for 25 days of adventure, but more of what I'm packing. India is like traveling to a fairy princess land for me. The women are always dressed in beautiful, colorful sari's, with lots of jewelry. Plus this is wedding season in India because of the cooler, dry weather. Hotels will be packed with female family members who are covered in henna to participate in weddings that last 3 days.  If you've met me then you know I love lots of fun, colorful clothes, makeup, and jewelry. Pretty much any outfit that would make one of my students say "omg Mrs. Rodriguez what are you wearing"?! is normal in India. I love that.

    It took me 2 1/2 hours while battling 3 cats, but

I got it done. Last year I learned some very important lessons that I was able to apply this year. First, and to me most important, pick an airline that allows 2 free checked bags! Last year United Airlines allowed me 1 bag. Ok unless you are a business man or making a quick trip to Asia no one is only packing one bag. This year I researched and chose Delta because they understand me need to pack all my bling I NEED 2 free checked bags. Second, If you are going international and taking domestic flights in that country, expect baggage fees. Last year I planned many tours which required me to fly within India. Extra baggage fees hurt my wallet and stressed me out.

    In India extra people like tour guides, etc. are NOT allowed to help you into the airport. They can greet you when you arrive, but that's it. Even family must pay a fee to see people off if they want to go inside. Why they have this rule I'm not sure. I guess airports might be too crowded if everyone could come in. Therefore, me, my two suitcases, and my two carry on bags are on our own. This also means when I go through customs to enter a country I also have to haul all this stuff with me as well. Going through customs to enter a foreign country is always an experience in itself. Although I've been to Europe it was 30 years ago. From what I remember the process was relatively simple. These days it's much crazier. It seems like its always hot, regardless of the country, takes forever, and usually has some weird rules that seem to make no sense when you're exhausted. For example filling out some weird paperwork in Turkey. I vote Mexico as the worst experience because of the huge lines, but India is a close second. Long lines and screaming babies. Last year there were so many screaming babies that the men at the counters were getting angry and yelling at families in Hindi to go to another line! Of course I don't speak Hindi, but some things just naturally translate. Mrs. Rodriguez does not do screaming babies.

Third, pack more bling and less shoes. Last year I packed several pairs of my Indian juttis. Those cute little flats with beautiful colors and embroidery that all the women wear. Well, it took me half of my first day to realize this was a mistake. While adorable, juttis have no support and don't work well on step marble staircases at temples. I almost fell a few times before I decided to go barefoot. I also noticed the women had nikes on with their saris. At first I was like "ewwww clash"! Now I realize they were smart. So this year I packed 5 pairs of shoes and tons of jewelry. Not to be forgotten are the bindi I was gifted last year. The little red dot stickers pictured above that Indian women wear. Red is the color for married women and black is the color for widowed women. There are many variations in modern India, but I think you have to be married or getting married before you're allowed to wear these. 

    Fourth, bring little packets of Tide and medicine! Last year I had an 18 day trip with 2 pairs of blue jeans. I'm sure by the end of that trip they could have walked themselves home. Gross! This year I found travel Tide. Such a lifesaver it will be after riding camels, elephants, and God knows what else. When it comes to traveling with medicine I feel like a drug mule. Beyond the prescriptions I need to take daily is everything extra I bring. India is a third world country. While they do have small pharmacies everywhere it's hardly a Walgreens scenario. 

    This is the huge bag I carry. I have everything from what I take daily to Band-Aids, Advil, anti-nausea medicine, anti-diarrheal medicine, sleeping pills. It was my first stay in Oman that really showed me how different the world is via the pharmacy. In Oman they do not sell any type of stimulant. Meaning RedBull, Prime, Monster, Vivarin alertness pills...nothing. The country doesn't permit these things. If you want a caffeine fix then you can only get that thorough coffee, tea, or soda. Luckily for me those items don't matter to me, however it also means the other medications available are limited. Panadryl is their version of ibuprofen and it's not nearly as strong as ours. Cold medicine options are limited too. India doesn't have the cleanest air and last year I had plenty of headaches, but this year I'm ready. There is nothing worse than feeling bad on a great trip. 

    As I sit here typing surrounded by the world's three best kitties on my last morning in my own bed for awhile, I feel anxious. Will my suitcases be overweight? Will my flights all be on time? Did I pack enough snacks? Will I be able to fall asleep on my long flights? Last year my flight was 16 hours straight from Newark, New Jersey to Delhi, India, After they served dinner, I thought for sure I'd pass out. NOPE. Having epilepsy that's not the ideal scenario for me. India is 12 hours ahead of Texas so trying to get my circadian rhythm on board is a struggle. This year I brought some sleeping pills to help out. By this time tomorrow if everything goes well I should be checked into my hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal. Yay!!!

Later!