India Packing and Preparation

Traveling to India requires more preparation than my previous travels have.

First of all, we had to get a Visa. We applied on line and then had two options to complete the process…(1) Mail our Passports to India! or (2) Drive to Atlanta to an office near the Indian Consulate
We did not want to risk mailing to India, so we drove to Atlanta. We were practically the only Americans in the building. Most were Indians re-newing passports etc. But we got them!

Second, we had to have several shots. Walgreens to the rescue. Did you know they have a Travel Clinic? For the mere cost of $20 they will research the country and areas you are visiting and inform you of the vaccinations and other medications needed. We received:

Typhoid
Hepatitus A
Hepititus B
Flu Shot
Tetanus

There is also a risk of what they call "Delhi Belly" so they suggested we take Immodium plus a perscription strength medicine for tummy issues.

I also have to take a Malaria medication.

Lastly, the clothes I am packing must cover my ankles and shoulders. I have read in several Blogs that Westerners are stared at a lot. We stick out like sore thumbs and my newly highlighted blond hair will not help matters.  You are treated with more respect if dressed modestly. When visiting temples or other holy places I will have to cover my head. It is supposed to be HOT, so I have packed multiple maxi dresses, and pants with tops that have sleeves. I am a sweater, so I'd rather take shorts and tank tops, but I don't want to be disrespectful. One lady told me she was advised to not bring any clothes from home. Her Indian friend told her just to buy everything once in India. The clothes are dirt cheap and made out of beautiful linen fabrics. Plus, that might help you blend in a little better! Sounds fun, but I'm not willing to risk just taking my purse! I will definitely be buying a sari. So I will be easy to spot next Halloween!

India is Everywhere!

I had never thought much about India until the Panorama Conference came up. Then, all of the sudden…India was Everywhere! 

There are two great movies that have recently been on the Big Screen. Disney's "Million Dollar Arm". This great movie is about a sports agent who is down and out. He turns his success around by traveling to India and bringing back two young Indian boys who are Cricket players. He teaches them how to pitch and they go on to play baseball in the U.S. What a great family film!

The second, more recent flick is called "The Hundred Foot Journey". An Indian family re-locates to Europe after they loose their mother and wife to a fire that burns down the family restaurant. They buy a run down building in a lovely small town in France and start a restaurant just across the street (100 feet) from a very established Michelin Star French Restaurant. This is another "must see" family film.

With India on the brain, I was still pleasantly surprised to see the June 2014 J. Crew catalog come in the mail. Guess where it was photographed??? India!

Then, just the other day, I was up at Oak Hill School walking into the Enrichment Center and looked down…look what I saw! Who knew drainage grates were made in India! Too funny!

The list goes on. One of the things I have been told to buy in India are the gorgeous glass bangles they hand make there. I was leaving TJMaxx and something caught my eye…

Oh my word!  When I saw this in the check out line I decided I just needed to get out of there! I must be going India Crazy!!!

Why India?

The Buffkins are off on yet another adventure! For as many negative "Where are you going now?" comments, I have twice as many positive "I love to follow you to see where you travel." and "Please post more pictures!" comments. So I've decided to do a Blog for this adventure. My dear friend Lesli Douglass traveled to Ireland with her family and did a Blog capturing the incredible moments of thier trip. Being the Wanderluster that I am, I thoroughly enjoyed following her. So in lieu of posting lots on Facebook, I decided to create a Blog so those who care to follow me can.

Craig is an Executive Recruiter (aka head hunter) for senior level positions in companies. He is a part of a group called Panorama which is a group of recruiters all over the world. Each year they have a meeting and a partner hosts the group. So far we have traveled to Canada and London twice. This year it is India's turn! For those who know me, I am a passionate person. Passionate about things I love and Travel is one of them. India is a LONG way away, but Craig and I discussed and decided this was a once and a lifetime adventure so let's do it! Plus, it does benefit his business and his partnership to Panorama. But, most of all, we love to travel together! At our fifteen year anniversary dinner we reflected back over the past years and the times that stood out the most to both of us was the time spent in the places we had visited on vacations and trips. We look forward to time away together as a couple. So off we go!