So I went to India, and if you’re reading this, my guess is you are too. Or if you’re on the fence about which route to go on I just want to give you some tips.
India is amazing! The culture is completely different from America. I was in Bangalore which is in southern India. Even across India the cultures are going to be different. But in Bangalore people on the street weren’t particularly friendly, but when you were invited into someones home their hospitality is unbelievable. Some of them have nothing but they will still run out and buy a bottle of Sprite so they have something to give you as you sit in their living room.
India has amazing food! Don’t shy away from stuff because you might think it is spicy. Try it any way. It will be spicy most of the time, but you will live. I promise! I liked butter chicken Masala, or butter paneer. Paneer is like tofu but they claim it is cheese. Who really knows. All I know is that it is AMAZING!! Also mutton curry and potato curry! Also, dosa and chai. Go find all of it. (This might be a fun thing to do for my subscribers to go eat at an Indian restaurant in your city. Go order one of these things and see what I ate in India. Or order Dal curry and see what I had for breakfast, lunch, and dinner most days.)
I did not take probiotics and I was fine. I didn’t get sick my whole time in India. But LOTS of other people on my squad did. So it is up to you whether or not you bring them.
Next tip. Don’t bring clothes. Seriously. You don’t need all the things you think you do in the clothing department. Especially If you are going to India and Nepal at the beginning of your race. You can get what you need. My host took us to go get kurtas when we got to Bangalore and I wore mine all month. DON’T BRING ALL THE CLOTHES! (I mean obviously bring some, but be really sparing. If you are going to India later in your race drop stuff before you get there.)
Next tip. Once you land go get some TP to carry with you. You only really need a role for yourself, but they don’t stock it in India so bring some with you specifically for travel days.
I don’t want all of this blog to be about things to bring so here are some other things just to be made aware of before you travel to India. There are temples everywhere. They won’t always look like you expect. They might just be as small as a shed in your back yard with bars around it, but it is still a temple.
If you haven’t read already, traffic is insane. I have a whole other blog about it so go enjoy.
Your feet are always going to be dirty. Just get used to it. You walk everywhere and you’re most likely going to be wearing sandals. I got in the habit of washing my feet before I got into bed. It at least let me feel a little cleaner before climbing into bed.
I can’t really think of a whole lot else that would be helpful that training camp/launch wont prepare you for. Just trust the system and be willing to not have all the answers. THAT is the most important thing you can bring, is a a willing spirit and a go-with-the-flow attitude. The Lord will teach you so much if you simply let go.
