One Week ’til India

Posted on January 2, 2008 by whereisroberg



As I sit writing this, I have exactly one week until my flight leaves for Kolkatta (formerly Calcutta), India. It’s hard to believe, to be honest. For so long, a trip like this was just a dream; an idea blurred by the haze of reality. It is truly amazing how life can change in just one year.

One year ago, I was teaching about explorers like Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus, Zheng He (a Chinese explorer), and Ibn Battuta (an African explorer), with only an idea that I wanted to travel overseas as soon as I could.

Only 10 months ago, I was writing the first proposal for a one-year professional leave of absence that the Coxsackie-Athens Board of Education would receive in over 20 years.

Only 8 months ago, I had my proposal officially accepted.

Only 4 months ago, I began my leave of absence and began planning my trips overseas; reading travel books and creating my India itinerary from scratch; scheduling vaccinations and procuring medications; creating this blog and trying to make people aware of its existence.

Only one week left, and I still have to pack and take care of other details, but the reality has FINALLY sunk in…

I’m going to India! How am I going to deal with the cultural differences?! Will all of the preparation I’ve done be enough to make it a relatively smooth trip?! How often will I be able to contact my wife, family, and friends? How much money will everything really cost?

Will anyone actually read my blog?!

All these questions and more will be answered in just one short week. I’ll be in India, almost half a world away, all by myself (except for Flat Kat, of course), trying to navigate a foreign culture with nothing but my wits and a travel book to help me.

Thanks for joining me on the adventure. I’ll write from India as soon as I can!

Filed under: Background, India, Leave of Absence, Travel, Uncategorized

« Introducing Flat Kat – my new travelling companion! Departure Day: the India Adventure Begins! »
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10 Responses to “One Week ’til India”

  1.   Heather McNulty, on January 6th, 2008 at 8:47 pm Said:

    Jeez i sure do miss your funny-ness. YES!! INDIA!!!!! WOOOO!!!!! Mr. Roberg…India, wow. Can’t wait till next year to see all the random things you bought on your trip =)

  2.   M.McIlroy, on January 8th, 2008 at 9:55 am Said:

    Best wishes! We can’t wait to hear from you and Flat Kat!

  3.   Brian June, on January 8th, 2008 at 11:06 am Said:

    if there is no bathroom, where can u go to the bathroom?

  4.   Adam vA, on January 8th, 2008 at 11:08 am Said:

    if you see a cooked skorpian will you eat it
    ( what about a live one )

  5.   bart, on January 8th, 2008 at 11:12 am Said:

    where can you go to the bathroom, with no toilets????

  6.   whereisroberg, on January 8th, 2008 at 11:43 am Said:

    Brian June and Bart,
    Kolkata (aka Calcutta during the times when Britain controlled the city as a colony) is a modern city. I should have NO problem finding bathrooms in hotels, restaurants, and public places. However, some of the toilets are considered “squat toilets”, where a person must squat over the area to go to the bathroom. I’ll try to post a picture of one when I find one.
    Otherwise, sitting toilets like the ones we have here will be relatively common.

    Thanks for the question,
    Mr. Roberg

  7.   whereisroberg, on January 8th, 2008 at 11:45 am Said:

    Adam,
    I don’t know where your comment about a scorpion is coming from. I’ve never heard of Indians serving or eating scorpions.

    However, I’ve eaten many cultural foods that many people wouldn’t. I figure, when in India, eat what the Indians do.

    Thanks for the question,
    Mr. Roberg

  8.   Heather McNulty, on January 9th, 2008 at 12:58 pm Said:

    loserface who doesnt comment me back =P How are you??…interesting lesson on bathroom equipment, good to know. How much has everything so far cost??

  9.   Mrs. Roberg, on January 12th, 2008 at 7:33 am Said:

    I’d really like to hear the answer to Heather M’s question about how much this is costing so far. Will I need to find another job to help pay for this trip?

    My Reply:
    It truly depends on the day and a traveler’s choices, but in general, India is FAR cheaper to travel in than the United States.

    For example, I am currently staying in a hotel that is charging about $21 per day. However, on my first night in India, I stayed in a hotel that cost $60 dollars per day. Now, compare those prices to an average hotel in the U.S. that costs anywhere between $40 – $120 in most places.

    In fact, I was able to book an overnight train, an 8 hour train ride on which I will have a bunk bed and be able to sleep, for only $13! That means that I will not only have a REALLY cheap place to stay for the night, but I won’t waste time traveling during the day. If you ever go abroad, my suggestion is to travel by sleeper trains as often as possible.

    One last comparison: The average meal I have had has cost about $4 – $6, after which I have been full every time.

    So, unless I really splurge, you will only have to get one extra job to pay for my worldwide travels, Mrs. Roberg!

  10.   Devin Meier, on March 9th, 2008 at 7:00 pm Said:

    How are you and Flat Kat Mr.Roberg?
    I heard that you are less than 48 Hours away from Isreal.
    I’m from Mrs. Roberg’s class.

    Sincerely,
    Devin Meier

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