Beginnings

This is what I wrote before I came, didn't get the chance to post it until now. Post from India itself hopefully gonna come soon after I've spent more than just a day here.

So here I am, about to set off for India on my lonesome, and writing my first blog entry. I've always thought that people write blogs first and foremost out of the egotistical desire to let everyone know what's going on in their heads (preferably with some editing for humour and charm). I too have such a desire, but it's always seemed vaguely vulgar to indulge it. Nevertheless, I suppose it is a good way to keep friends and family abreast of how I'm doing, given that it will be relatively difficult to keep in touch, and maybe it will also be nice to have something written to look at and reminisce when i'm back ensconced safely in the tranquil Middle East.

The reason I'm travelling to India and Nepal now is that I've never really traveled to any country beyond my comfort zone, and I want to take the opportunity to explore at least a small part of the big wide world before coming back to Israel for the final semester of university, and subsequent glory and majesty of life as a legal intern in Israel, with the attendant high-life. Also I have a strong desire to shit myself.

In order to help acclimate myself to the microbe-friendly environment in which I will be spending the next 6 weeks, I have taken to exposing myself to germs by partaking in activities such as licking escalator handrails in London tube stations, and drinking spoiled milk. I can only hope that these endeavours will stand me in good stead for what I now face.

On a more serious note; what do I hope to achieve on this trip?

My main goals are to try open my mind to cultures, traditions, and living conditions different from those with which I'm familiar, to learn to be more outgoing and gregarious (or else find myself extremely lonely), and possibly to convert to a fashionable religion. I'm also looking forward to detaching myself a little from the internet and its rapacious hold on my time and attention., specifically facebook and blogs.

Anyway, this is just an introduction; hopefully I will find the time, will, and internet connectivity to update this blog with some degree of regularity, so check it out.

All the best,

David