Ready or Not, Here I Come India!
It is crazy how time flies. I swear it was just week one of spring quarter, when I anxiously entered the Global Fellows classroom to meet my partner Andrea and the other fellows who I will live with in Kolkata, India. With the blink of an eye, eleven weeks passed and now in 12 hours I will be leaving for my six-week journey to India. This week the realness finally set in, that I am actually doing this, I am going to India.
It has been a strange transition. I feel I have not taken the time to mentally prepare for India because I have been so busy the past couple weeks with classes, papers, final exams, packing, and saying goodbye to some of my best friends who are graduating.
Packing was a bit of a struggle. I have travelled a lot in my life, but I have never packed for a six-week trip before. First, there’s the necessities: my passport and visa, malaria pills, flowy pants, shirts that cover my shoulders, scarves, Tevas, my laptop, etc. Then there’s the long list of random things that people recommend: a mini pharmacy to be prepared for sicknesses, my favorite American snacks, different mosquito repellents, water filters, duct tape, a journal, books, hand sanitizer, zip lock bags, power converters, etc. I don’t know what to prioritize. As a result, I have more stuff than clothes, which is different than any other trip I have ever packed for.
I would be lying if I said I did not have any fears. My first fear is the food. I am not a picky eater at all and I love Indian food, but I have been cursed with a low tolerance for spicy foods. I packed some American snacks, but I pray that I will be able to find tolerable foods that I enjoy. Another fear of mine is the heat. According to the weather forecast for week I arrive, it will range from 97°-103°F with sunny skies, scattered thunderstorms, and humidity above 60% always. Last week, the people at Destiny sent me pictures of cars driving through several inches of water on the ground, as the monsoon season has just begun. Growing up in Southern California my whole life, I have been blessed with some of the best weather possible so this will be an adjustment. I am thankful to be warned and prepared for the heat and humidity beforehand, so hopefully I will be able to quickly adjust. My last fear is the emotional toll that this fellowship will take on me. I am not the most emotional person; my friends even say that I am emotionally challenged because I never cry in the sad movies we watch together. However, this summer I will be working with survivors of sex trafficking and sex slavery. Girls who are my same age but who have experienced such a different life compared to mine. I am not sure there is any possible way to prepare myself for the emotional stories I will hear and the things I will see when I pass the slums and visit the red-light district and brothels of Kolkata.
Despite these fears, I am comforted to know I am traveling with some great people. I am confident that Andrea, Nick, Abby, Owen and I will get along and will have an unforgettable time together this summer. I hope we will be able to reflect on our experiences together and talk about the hardships we encounter. I am excited for the apartment, I am looking forward to getting to know everyone better. I am excited for the notorious rooftop sunsets that all the former ASED and Destiny fellows speak of. I am excited to travel, to see Hong Kong as well as various places we will visit in India, such as the monumental Taj Mahal. I am excited to fully immerse myself for the six weeks I am there. I look forward to the point in the trip where I think of Kolkata as home.
I am in a weird limbo of emotions, where I am so anxious and excited to be there already, but also sad and not quite ready to leave behind SCU and my junior year. Regardless if I am ready or not, here I come India!
