May 23, 2011
Dear Future Racers and India Enthusiasts,
Travelling around the world is awesome but it’s even better when you know you’re secure and healthy enough to enjoy it. India has been totally different from any of the nations we’ve visited so far and as such it presents some unique things to be aware of. Because I really love the WR and everything that goes along with it, including the struggle and excitement of pre-launch packing and expectations, I’ve compiled a few things to keep in mind about India.
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My #1 is ATTITUDE.
Having a really awesome sense of humour is key to any overseas adventure and that is especially true of the WR. No matter what country you’re in the attitude you bring to the table will make or break your time and ministry there. For more in depth instructions about this particular tip I would check out Phillipians 2:1-11. This will help build community in your team, in your squad, with your contacts and even the people you minister to. Stay humble and humorous.
Health Recommendations:
#2. Drink LOTS of (purified) water.
India is hot. Right now it is the middle of summer so take careful note of this if you end up in India in May thru June. It is as hot as it gets here. The daily temperature is around 50’C/120’F. But it’s a dry heat which is a nice change from the humidity of other Asian nations.
Getting dehydrated here is dangerous and you do not want to end up in an Indian hospital. Make it a priority to drink a lot of water. Also consider packing along a few rehydration packages just in case you or one of your teammates does end up getting dehydrated at some point. I got sick my second week here, threw up for 8 hours (read the blog, it was fun) and got really dehydrated because I couldn’t keep any water down. A teammate made me take a rehydration pack and it made all the difference in helping me get better.
PS: Only drink boiled, sealed or purified water. That’s just common sense here.
#3. Indian Hospitality + Spicy Food = Gratitude + Heartburn
The people of India are simply amazing and Indian hospitality is second to none. They are eager to honour you and they love to show you how they care by making sure you feel comfortable and at home in their country. You can count on being well fed and well taken care of. The thing is, for a girl who struggles to eat mild salsa at home, Indian food is a whole new world. I was the weakest link on our team and I ended up throwing up everything I ate on the first day. The rest of my team had better luck adjusting but they all ended up with heartburn/indigestion at some point during the month.
That said be wise and take along some kind of antacid in your first aid kit. There were many times that I longed for a roll of tums or some kind of Pepto Bismal heartburn killing medicine. I don’t know how available they are here in India. Bring some; your stomach will thank you and so will your tastebuds as you get to freely enjoy the smells and tastes of India.
#4. It’s hot.
I’ve already said it but it’s worth repeating. India is hot. Try to avoid the hottest part of the day, (seems to be about 12am-3pm here), wear sunscreen if you’re going to be working outside and just drink a lot of water. Over all try to pay attention to how you and your teammates are reacting to the heat and just be smart about it. If someone complains about being dizzy or something then make them rest and drink water.
Trains:
#5. People stare and take pictures.
If you get to ride on a train then you will find this out fast. We had an audience for 27 hours and we pretty much have a crowd follow us whenever we go out in public. My team was even in the Suryapet newspaper picking out punjabi’s in a dress shop under the headline “American’s Come to Suryapet”. People are just interested in us and they aren’t shy about watching us or taking our pictures while we eat, walk, pray, stand, sit, or do pretty much anything.
You will get more attention if you are not dressed in a culturally acceptable manner so be careful about what you’re wearing. Also be extra cautious with you belongings. We tried to lock the zippers on our bags using key rings. It doesn’t make it impossible for a thief to get in but it makes it a lot harder and discourages them from trying.
This aspect of riding the train can be extremely trying but try to keep a positive, Christ-like attitude about it. After all every moment is a chance to minister God’s love.
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There is SO much more I could say about India and the culture here but it’s best if you just experience it yourself. Above all I want you to know that this place is amazing and totally worth the time that you will spend here. The traffic is crazy, the food is spicy, it is as hot as blue blazes and God’s love for this nation runs DEEP.
So enjoy every blessed moment you’re here and don’t forget to pack the Tums.
Much Love,
Nicole.
PS: I just thought of this as I was editing. Contrary to what you might think constipation is an issue in India. You eat a lot of rice so it only makes sense. You may be wise to pack along something in your medical kit to help out with that or you can just pray it away. Your choice. I stick with prayer.
PS #2: I forgot to post this last month. So I’m going to add a new packing tip we thought of this month.
-Bring an extra pair of ear buds or two. They break, get lost, mice eat them…it is the WR. AND we use them for a lot of different things besides just our ipods like skype or watching movies on the computer.
-Consider bringing along an attachment so that 3 or 4 people can plug their ear buds into a single computer to watch a movie and a small portable speaker for ipod worship.
