lessons learned

hello people,
John and I are finally back HOME. We're readjusting to life in the USA again with fond memories of India and all of the wonderful people we met and things we learned. I'm glad we kept this blog because I'm realizing more and more how precious our time was there and how much I want to hold onto the memories - good and bad. Below is a list I've been compiling to better help us if/when we venture out again and others who are going on similar adventures of their own. I'll keep adding more as they come to mind: *******************************************************************************
1. When researching a place to volunteer, ask VERY specific questions about EXACTLY what you are going to do. The best would be to talk to others who have volunteered there. Guidelines, websites and vague emails can be very misleading.

2. Bring lots of peanut butter. A lifesaver when there is no safe food to eat. Dry fruit is good too if you're like me and go into fruit withdrawal if there's none around.

3. Get really good virus protection software for your laptop if you are taking it. Viruses have been abundant in the places we've been and have wreaked havok at times.

4. Don't drink anything but bottled or boiled water. All the foreigners who I've known who drank the filtered stuff got sick. When I drank it, I felt sick as well.

5. Bring a really good, sturdy, comfy backpack with lots of pockets.

6. Bring 4-5 extra passport photos with you in case you need to get cell phone service, internet, a gas tank...you name it...they want a passport pic.

7. Keep a journal/blog/diary/something so that you can remember (especially if you have a memory like mine and John's).

8. Get a good camera. John had to convince me to get his, but I'm so glad we did. We now have the most beautiful record of our trip.

9. Anything you REALLY want to do, do it first. Things that get saved till the end might not happen in case you end up coming home sooner than planned.

10. Don't assume that everything you've planned is going to go the way you expect. Be flexible.

11. You WILL go over your budget. Plan a big cushion for the unexpected expenses that will arise.

12. Make sure your Visa situation is secure and will more than cover your time there. Get this straightened out before you leave your home country.

13. Learn the language. Besides having its practical aspects, it makes for a richer experience.

A Poem I Wrote Today

A shadow mistaken for a friend.

We grasp at phantoms
in the cold night air,
believing ourselves to be right,
to be justified,
when we are but lost children.

A brilliant ray of truth
shines in our midst,
too close for us to see.

We crawl through the wreckage
of a crumbling city,
desperately seeking a drink of water
while a shoreless ocean surges
through our hearts.

If we could only see
the wondrous light that we are
this broken world
would soon be whole.

You can read my thoughts behind it here.