Boats, Trains, and Planes

No, I have not traveled by boat, at least not yet. But the other two have been checked off. I will start this one off by saying this has been probably one of the more INTERESTING weeks of my life, some parts very good some parts a little more challenging. Starting off with departure and departure orientation. Saying goodbye is just part of the journey and I can tell that it will be a common thing throughout my exchange. To sum it up, my goodbyes went better than I expected. (For all those that read this that I missed…. Goodbye.) The AFS-PDO (pre-departure orientation) was orthodox, I have been lectured about cultural icebergs so much that I may deserve school credit. I have always found that these orientations are most valueable when talking to the alum, and learning their experiences. The airport went as expected, crowded, flight got delayed, and TSA decided to unwrap my host mother’s candle gift rather that ask me to open the heavy black case carrying a long cylindrical piece of metal (my saxophone), never understood that one. I can say that the only negative part of the trip was the Indian airplane food, which was disheartening, in my fragile emotional state, when I thought that watery dal was my new ten-month diet. Having only been here a week I can say that I am enjoying Indian food much more than I expected.

I did not realize that this exchange would be much more than just an exchange of Indian culture. The most wonderful part of arrival orientation was that you instantly become friends with people from around the world. Now I can very much say that I know people from, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Turkey, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Germany, Spain, Canada, France, Denmark, and probably some more that I forgot. (For Sra. Kollwitz, if you read this. I had a full conversation in Spanish and I have never used circumlocution more in my life.) It is uplifting to know that there are people like you, with the same values, interests, and hobbies from all over the world. Thank you to all my new international friends if you ever have a chance of seeing this.

I do not think I have ever sweat more in my life. Carrying my seventy-pound suitcase for an hour through an Indian train station in was not my best version of fun. To all future international students-Pack light. They have just as many books where you are going to be as your natural home. (@Mom) But hey, I guess it gives a kick start to the revelation that I want to work out more when I am abroad. My first experience with the Indian train system was much better than I expected it to be. The food was surprisingly delicious, and I had a nice bunk. The ride was only about 13 hours and I was able to either talk or sleep through most of it.

Introduction into the Machhar family was wonderful, as expected. My house and room are beautiful, and I am extremely grateful for having such accommodations at the beginning of my stay. I would like to thank both my host mom and dad for being so gracious. I seem to find Gujarati food much more enjoyable than Delhi food, from the dal to the cabbage that is rich, sweet, and still somehow spicy (I still don’t understand how that works.) I think I will probably end up gaining a few pounds during my stay. I mean when life gives you lemons……

Note: I do not have much Wi-Fi here, so I do not know when I will be able to post these, but they were written at the correct time. Props to all that actually read through this.

Plane from Newark airport: