Chapter Three (part one): Packing for an Adventure

Ten things you do not want to leave for India without!

1) Really comfortable backpacks:  Since we will be pretty much living with these bags on our backs for a few months, it was important to find comfortable backpacks. 

2) Passports and visas: One of my biggest worries whenever I travel is loosing my passport.  It can be a whole lot of hassel if you cannot prove where you come from or who you are in a foreign country!

3) Water:  In India our bodies cannot handle the water, and yet much of our trip will be in 100 degree weather, so we will need a lot of it.  We have a water purification system, iodine tablets, electrolytes, and several water bottles.

4) Toilet Paper: India does not really use toilet paper in most of their public restrooms and therefore bringing your own TP is vital.

5) Hand Sanitizer: Because our weak American bodies cannot handle many of the bacterias and germs in India, and washing your hands with their water does not help, Hand Sanitizer is a literally a life saver.

6) Luggage Locks:  There are many wandering hands on the busy streets and busy trains of India and it is pretty much a guarantee that you will find something missing unless you lock up your bags as you travel.

7) Probiotics: The biggest issue people usually have when traveling to India is getting sick.  This is why many of the things on this list have to do with avoiding that.  One important thing to do to get our weak American bodies ready for India has been taking probiotics and continue taking them while we are there, to help our digestive systems to be resilient and strong.

8) Head coverings:  We will be in many Sikh temples that require our heads to be covered.  It is also a good idea to be modest, respectful and to stand out as little as you can (Especially in the North) to avoid attention and trouble.  We therefore have a good collection of hats and scarves to do the trick!

9) All in one soap:  We found some awesome soap at REI that can be used to wash bodies, hair, dishes AND clothes.  This is a nice way to consolidate and avoid tons of tubes of soaps and cleaners.

10) Last but NOT least....Chocolate:  It can be very stressful to be traveling and be in so many different environments.  Chocolate always calms me down and makes me feel in love with wherever I am.

Chapter Two: Ashland

We made our way down to Dear Sweet Ashland shorty after our move from Portland.  Here we spend a few weeks relaxing in the Southern Oregon sun and spending some much needed bonding time with family and friends.  While there, My bosom friend Shira threw me a wonderful birthday party to celebrate my 27 years of life.  After 27 years of having an April Fool's birthday, you would think I would be expecting to be fooled every year, but alas I am surprised every time.  This year my dear friend Dana from Eugene told me she was not able to make it to my party due to family responsibilities at home.  I was sad not to have her there, but I understood.  AND THEN, right before we cut the cake, there walks in Dana all decked out in Alice and Wonderland party clothes (mistakenly thinking it was a costume party).  It was quite a surprise and quite a site to see.  A perfect April Fool's Birthday.

One of the big parts of this adventure we are on is to deepen and nurture relationships with dear friends and family that have gotten a bit neglected over the years.  This Trip to Ashland was just that.  It was wonderful have a two solid weeks to spend good quality time with my parents and my darling brother Josh, Shira and her darling little family, and revisit the haunts of my old hometown.

Birthday event of the year!

It's not every day a girl turns 27...

My two Besties

                                                                 

Easter Eggs before and after

                                                                   

Noemi

bosom friends

Josh

                                                                            Sophia