Ticket? Check.

I met with my internship coordinator at the university today. Although things didn't go exactly as I planned, I left the meeting knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was going to India, and proceeded to walk to the library and promptly booked my flight. I then texted several of my friends, emailed my parents and updated my facebook status.

So. I'm going to India this summer. :D

My flight is booked to leave Chicago O'Hare Airport at 4:00 pm on May 26th, and arrive in New Delhi the following day, May 27th at 10 pm. I'll be staying for 11 weeks, leaving Delhi for the USA on August 11th. I booked my flight through Chicago because there was a price difference that seemed substantial at the time. Looking back, it might have been worth the extra, but the ticket can't be changed, so I'm not going to worry about it.

But! I'm going abroad?! How cool is that? I've been dying to do more traveling since I got back from Kenya two and a half years ago, and I finally have something planned!! Now it's time to pour over books and websites, completely get my obsessing on.

Change in Plans!

I am proving myself to be really good at blogging. Yea right. I suppose the problem is that I know no one is reading right now, so there is zero motivation to write anything. Also, my plans have changed drastically. It turned out that going to Ghana would put me about $2,000 over my budget. Since any travel this summer will be coming directly out of my pocket, I have to keep my budget very much in mind.

After I realized Ghana was out of my price range, I resigned myself to the idea that I would have to do an internship in some local government office, probably filing papers and answering telephones. I was almost accepting this reality when I started to look elsewhere for overseas opportunities, mostly just for fun. To make a very long story short, I did a little research on volunteering in India, and found a great opportunity in community development in Jaipur. So far, the early price estimates show that it would fit nicely into my budget. The more Lonely Planet travel books I read, the more excited I become!

I applied for the program last month, and I was asked to send my C.V., which I need to write. I am working on it, and my self-imposed due date is sometime during the first week of the new year. Once I get a placement, and more concrete information on my assignment, I will be meeting with my internship coordinator once again to OK this final plan. I don't foresee any problems, but you never know about these academics...

In the mean time, I am spending countless hours creating a bomb-ass information packet for my friend. She is really into all things India, so I thought I would invite her. I had no problems making fast friends during my time in Kenya, but it could be really cool to have a friend along for this trip. This is especially so because any traveling might have to be done upfront before the monsoon season in July and August. If the partying has to be done before I start volunteering, I might not have the opportunity to meet and make fellow volunteer friends. Now, I'm normally totally brave, but I get a little uneasy at the thought of traveling in India solo. Strength in numbers, right?

Ghana is a GO!

Hello World!

Today I met with my internship adviser at my university and he passed my proposal for my internship for next summer. I applied to the program of my choice last week and was contacted yesterday with a letter of acceptance. It appears next summer in Ghana will become a reality.

Now all I have to do is work out the financial aspects and it will be on. Since this is an educational experience I don't feel too bad using some of my university grant money for the funding.

Regardless, I'm going to Ghana next summer. How cool is that?!

First Blog

I had a blog once before, but it's deleted now. But that was back when I was angry, so it should be much more fun now. Enjoy!