Date Shuffle & Tickets

So, I was doing some thinking, and from what happened to me in India the last time I was there ( 2 months - and got absolutely bored!) that it may just be a better idea if I start with the July rotation. That way, I can get the moving in, the standard formalities, and part of my research done before classes actually start, and start getting paid.

I bought my ticket yesterday for $980, KLM/NWA, which is a fair deal - but may change that within the next 24hrs if I get a better deal. As of now, I leave on May 1 (so land in India on May 2), and come back June 30. If I can't get paid for my first rotation in July, I may stay in India for a month longer. In anycase - am definitely backpacking for at least a month - definitely looking at going to Kashmir, himachal, UP, Bengal, Sikkim and Assam. I only have a month, and I don't want it to be all rushed, so may have to drop some.

Start with Kashmir?

I was randomly chatting with Divya yesterday, and she's going to be in India in May as well, and was totally up in joining me for my first two weeks. I was thinking perhaps I'd start with Kashmir, and after visiting a few travelogs and websites yesterday, it seems pretty safe. Not sure whether we can go to Jammu or Srinagar, but there's still Leh. Of course, the websites were sponsored by desi travel agencies, so not really sure if they're trustworthy, but more research definitely needs to be done.

Also, to start with Kashmir would make sense, since it's the northernmost state and then I can work my way down. Spoke to Shekhu, a friend of mine from Bombay who now lives in Shimla and owns a hotel there and he said that mid to end may would work great for him - which is even greater because some of the best weed in India comes from Manali, which is a short ride away from Shimla.

I am so excited!!! Yaaay!!!

The trip is on!!

Woohoo!!! Now that i've gotten into NYU, the trip is totally happening. Mom's getting me the lonely planet when she comes on Friday, Navneet has a political map of India for me, and will put the two together and start the actual planning then. OMG - I so can't believe this is happening!!!