Preparing to go to India was an interesting task given I haven't done much travel outside of the US let alone to a country that is so different. I had very little idea of what the accommodations would be and how I would be traveling within the country, so I decided to travel light and bring only what I could carry on my back. So with that, I started with the basics... what do I need to ensure my health and safety. So obvious to those who know me well, I started researching. I realized the majority of what I brought would be things that I would consume as my trip progressed. I brought charcoal pills for stomach issues (didn't use them), grape seed extract to purify water, bunches of Nuun water enhancement for hydration (used all 60 tabs), an antibiotic (never needed), 50 packets of peanut butter (yes, I ate them all, shared a few), toilet paper (so important), daily probiotics, all the basic toiletries, but not much make up, 3 outfits, a blanket, a sweat shirt. And probably some other stuff I'm forgetting. But everything I brought was a very strategic choice. I am happy to say that I was well prepared for everything I encountered, and stuff I thankfully didn't.

I started to get nervous a few days before I left. I had no idea where I was staying, who I was staying with, what I would have access to, if there were bathrooms. I literally didn't know anything more that I had booked a hotel for the first night (and the last few) and that someone was supposed to pick me up the following day around 6 pm to bring me to wherever it was I would be staying in Delhi.

Thankfully I had an acquaintance though a close friend that moved from Delhi and she was more than happy to talk to me. I had one very important question: When I arrive at the airport and when I'm on my own in the super tiny airport in the mountains, will people help me find my way? She told me that I would have no trouble at all and that people would help me. She told me to be careful, just like in all cities, but that my trip would be amazing. She also gave me contact information for her sister in Delhi and her cousin who is a doctor. She assured me if I needed anything they would take care of me. While I didn't need it, after knowing her and experiencing the people in India, I have no doubt that her family would have treated me like their own, and it made all the difference in the world knowing I had them as I boarded the plane. I left at 8 am PST from Los Angeles, my first stop was Miami, then to London, and finally Delhi. It took 40 hours to travel, but that included a 5 hour delay in London. Plus, there is a 12 hour time difference, so jet lag doesn't quite cover what I had. I essentially lost a day and had to adjust to day becoming night.