I am at home today. I have a day off and I am not feeling that well. I woke up in full denial passing off the cough and stuffy nose as nothing more than a bad thought in my head. Then I recalled a phrase by Eckhart Tolle, which in part is “what you resists persists!” So I decided not to resist. I admit, I have a cold and I have to be in tip top shape not only for dose two of the Dukoral but to get on the plane.
Lucky for me I have great friends. I am taking Alli-max and I bought some good food. I bought some junk food too; I can’t go cold turkey! I am staying in and I am working out the financially details of my trip. I have no idea how much money to bring, which of course, is a moot point considering I have a limited budget in the first place.
I want Rupees (INR), USD and some Euros. I also want to pay off my PC Mastercard and make sure I can pay the rent when I get back. All doable.
I am not looking forward to the 16 to 18 hours of travel time but I am looking forward to riding an elephant in Jaipur. I am also looking forward to seeing Taren. I am also looking forward to seeing if the ride from the airport to the hotel is as harrowing as Justin made it out to be.
In the immediate future, I am looking forward to getting better fast. I am all ready to go with the exception of the INR’s. My plan is to get those tomorrow after work or maybe even later today.
I think I will go and start packing!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
India
I have been planning on tripping off to India (click the picture but come back and read my blog). I am leaving on November 7 for 21 days. I
have asked everyone in asking range about India and what I should expect. I have had lots of advice and some great tips from everyone from the employees at MEC to famous world travellers (well one famous world traveller). I have purchased a small pharmacy, a new digital camera, cargo pants and more tissue than I would use in a year. I also have a rolling piece of luggage I borrowed. I am going to purchase a pair of Keen Sandals and that should set me on my way.
Since my Wanderlust friend started me off on this journey I have come to learn that India is overwhelming; I will return a different person. I tell myself that I am okay with that, when I
consider the past few years a different person inside me will be welcome. I am also telling myself that I can manage the poverty and the dirty water. I am telling myself that I can accept another culture and I will be okay seeing dead cows floating down the Ganges. I am telling myself that armed with this information I will be able to avoid the meltdowns that others have had. I will walk in eyes wide and take in India’s amazing and ancient culture. I will be okay.
I wonder. Spain and one day in Morocco years ago will not compare. As I sit here typing this I am thinking about seeing the amazing sights. I cannot begin to imagine poverty on that level or the other things I have heard about. It is simply not part of my life experience. One well-travelled friend told me not to be one of those people that comes back and gets pissed at people that complain about their lattes. I will endeavour not too but I am not sure I can make any promises. I hope she can forgive me.
have asked everyone in asking range about India and what I should expect. I have had lots of advice and some great tips from everyone from the employees at MEC to famous world travellers (well one famous world traveller). I have purchased a small pharmacy, a new digital camera, cargo pants and more tissue than I would use in a year. I also have a rolling piece of luggage I borrowed. I am going to purchase a pair of Keen Sandals and that should set me on my way.Since my Wanderlust friend started me off on this journey I have come to learn that India is overwhelming; I will return a different person. I tell myself that I am okay with that, when I
consider the past few years a different person inside me will be welcome. I am also telling myself that I can manage the poverty and the dirty water. I am telling myself that I can accept another culture and I will be okay seeing dead cows floating down the Ganges. I am telling myself that armed with this information I will be able to avoid the meltdowns that others have had. I will walk in eyes wide and take in India’s amazing and ancient culture. I will be okay.I wonder. Spain and one day in Morocco years ago will not compare. As I sit here typing this I am thinking about seeing the amazing sights. I cannot begin to imagine poverty on that level or the other things I have heard about. It is simply not part of my life experience. One well-travelled friend told me not to be one of those people that comes back and gets pissed at people that complain about their lattes. I will endeavour not too but I am not sure I can make any promises. I hope she can forgive me.
With exactly two weeks to go I am coasting into the experience. I am ready to go. I need to take the Dukoral vaccine tomorrow and then again in 7 days. I have all my shots; the Typhoid vaccine knocked me down but I am back up and ready. I am not sure there is anything else I can do to prepare.
My pictures coming soon and my Departures in 14 days and counting…
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Responsibility
That title makes me want to crawl under a rock. Who really wants responsibility? It is really annoying. The thought of blaming someone else or our government is so tempting. The truth is it's all my fault. Sometimes we just do things without thinking of the consequences. Sometimes we act on impulse and sometimes it's just a lack of planning. Regardless, when you decide to take responsibility for every aspect of your life it is somehow painful and liberating all at the same time.
Imagine that. It's not the governments fault or your parents or some random stranger. It is your fault, or better still your responsibility. You may want to argue the point with me and feel free, I'll listen, but it is futile. Just accept the fact that it is your responsibility. The upside to that is that you have the power. You can choose to change directions.
On a larger scale what I find frustrating is that we make things more difficult for those of us that do take responsibility. We create rules and laws with the mistaken idea that these laws make it more difficult for the less responsible. The reality is it just causes the responsible more time and energy. Here is a news flash, the irresponsible don't care about our rules, they are after all, irresponsible. So, we can create laws and rules and do all kinds of things but the bottom line is if we don't hold ourselves and others accountable the entire exercise is moot.
Geez, where is all this coming from? Well I'll tell you. Last night I called the Toronto Parking Authority and had a vehicle towed off the property of the complex where I live. This unknown person had decided that he could park his vehicle anytime for hours on end in our courtyard. The vehicle blocked the entrance to our laundry room and an emergency access route. The person had been ticketed once before and given a warning letter. Still they park. What really got my goat was that many of my neighbours complained bitterly about this. Why did this person think they could park there? The rest of us have to pay to park on the property! What makes this guy think he can just pull up here, park his car and walk away?
The short answer is we do. We have not enforced our own rules. There is no accountability. So, I decided to take action instead of just being part of the whine and complain patrol. Why are we so afraid to take action? In the end I did. I had enough. The rules - no parking you will be towed away - are posted very large and very clear. On top of that, they were given a warning letter and ticketed once. So, last night I watched as the vehicle was lifted up and towed away. I did not feel good about it and if I encountered the person I would probably feel even worse, I am Canadian after all. But, when I think about it with a clear mind I know that this is what responsibility is. The courage to not only accept the consequences of our own actions but to stand and take action when required.
Imagine that. It's not the governments fault or your parents or some random stranger. It is your fault, or better still your responsibility. You may want to argue the point with me and feel free, I'll listen, but it is futile. Just accept the fact that it is your responsibility. The upside to that is that you have the power. You can choose to change directions.
On a larger scale what I find frustrating is that we make things more difficult for those of us that do take responsibility. We create rules and laws with the mistaken idea that these laws make it more difficult for the less responsible. The reality is it just causes the responsible more time and energy. Here is a news flash, the irresponsible don't care about our rules, they are after all, irresponsible. So, we can create laws and rules and do all kinds of things but the bottom line is if we don't hold ourselves and others accountable the entire exercise is moot.
Geez, where is all this coming from? Well I'll tell you. Last night I called the Toronto Parking Authority and had a vehicle towed off the property of the complex where I live. This unknown person had decided that he could park his vehicle anytime for hours on end in our courtyard. The vehicle blocked the entrance to our laundry room and an emergency access route. The person had been ticketed once before and given a warning letter. Still they park. What really got my goat was that many of my neighbours complained bitterly about this. Why did this person think they could park there? The rest of us have to pay to park on the property! What makes this guy think he can just pull up here, park his car and walk away?
The short answer is we do. We have not enforced our own rules. There is no accountability. So, I decided to take action instead of just being part of the whine and complain patrol. Why are we so afraid to take action? In the end I did. I had enough. The rules - no parking you will be towed away - are posted very large and very clear. On top of that, they were given a warning letter and ticketed once. So, last night I watched as the vehicle was lifted up and towed away. I did not feel good about it and if I encountered the person I would probably feel even worse, I am Canadian after all. But, when I think about it with a clear mind I know that this is what responsibility is. The courage to not only accept the consequences of our own actions but to stand and take action when required.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Is it cold?
I think my internal temperature gage is broken. This morning I noticed lots of people wearing coats. What's with that? I am walking around in a short sleeve polo style shirt and jeans wishing I had shorts on! I look to the men for cues on this as women are always freezing (my friend's wife used to crawl into my fire place to stay warm). The men are also all wrapped up! Coats on zipped to their throats some are even wearing woolly hats!
I must admit I packed a sweat shirt into my backpack just in case. But when I exited the subway at St. George I was glad I had not put it on. I found it quite warm on the subway. When I got to work the AC was off, why? I turned it on, although I will adjust it as the day goes on.
I have to say I wish I felt the cold. The AC is now off in my building at home and that makes for warm nights and uncomfortable days. I figure I wont be comfortable again until next May when the AC goes back on. It is far easier to warm up than cool down. Fans just blow hot air around and unless I want to buy and install an AC unit there is not much I can do.
So I sweat. Too bad that doesn't lead to weight loss!
I must admit I packed a sweat shirt into my backpack just in case. But when I exited the subway at St. George I was glad I had not put it on. I found it quite warm on the subway. When I got to work the AC was off, why? I turned it on, although I will adjust it as the day goes on.
I have to say I wish I felt the cold. The AC is now off in my building at home and that makes for warm nights and uncomfortable days. I figure I wont be comfortable again until next May when the AC goes back on. It is far easier to warm up than cool down. Fans just blow hot air around and unless I want to buy and install an AC unit there is not much I can do.
So I sweat. Too bad that doesn't lead to weight loss!
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