I just signed up for the teaching journey that starts Feb 6. I would enjoy getting to know the others on that trip before we get there!

Hi! I also signed up for the Feb. 6th trip and am eager to meet people in the group. As a language teacher I traveled often in Europe with students, but this will be my first excursion to India and first RS trip. The service component and opportunity to spend time in another part of the world got my attention. What attracted you to this trip?

Blessings to you!
Cindy

Hello, Cindy! I will also be part of the Feb.6 group. We have been touching base on the other discussion boards. I want a deeper experience with the culture. I like that we are spending time in one place, meeting people, learning some HIndi, and traveling somewhat independently. I have been to India before. My friend was a little over protective, I think. So this will be a little more of an immersion in the town.
Road Scholar trips are wonderful experiences. I have been on two stateside and two abroad. I am on this trip alone, but usually travel with my husband. We usually do our own planning and traveling. We rely on Road Scholar when travel plans and transportation are more challenging.
Where are you from?

Hi Cindy,
You teach languages !! COOOOOL !!! Which ones? I will lean on your expertise a lot!
I was attracted to the trip by the small group , the "no hotel" (bed and breakfast yes!!), the length of the trip that allows for perhaps a real feel for the people, and the "no uppity tourist" attitude. I have never taught English (I am an emergency room doc) but they assure me all will be well. LOL!! I can talk so maybe that will be sufficient???? Hahahahah!! I'll be watching you for sure for advice and "how to's".
I am 63 years old and very vigorous and I have traveled to a bunch of places. I never say "many" or "extensively" anymore since I usually find there are others who have done LOTS more trips than I have. I am from Minnesota.
Am eager to meet all of us.
Blessings,
STephanie

Hello ?"Walker"?
I am Stephanie. So glad that you are an RS alumni. That means to me that you liked it well enough to go on several trips. Where are you from?

Stephanie and Cindy,
My first reply got lost somewhere, so I will respond again and beg forgiveness if the original resurfaces. I am from rural western New York State about six hours by car from NYC, but I grew up on Long Island right near the city. I love to travel. I am also in my sixties. Though I am an outdoors person-biking, hiking, kayaking how vigorous is in question. So thankful to have an emergency room doc with us! And a experienced (emphasis on experienced) language teacher! I was in education. As I retired, I got certified in teaching English as a Second Language.-BUT have only a little experience. As we know that is what really qualifies you!
I have been in correspondence with Anuragk, the teacher, a gracious man. He suggests we bring Fujifilm instax mini instant film -he called it polaroid, but I think he is referring to the process. They have two cameras. He also says the students like candy. At that time there were 44 of them. My suitcase has been packed since October!

You must have received your Information packet as I have. Read the letter in the back from past teachers. May I suggest we bring postcards of our own areas to help generate sentences and show them our country? Cindy, can you think of any game that would help them casually talk?

Hi, I'm not on your trip (I'm going in March), but I receive notifications for all India posts so I am enjoying hearing about others' preparations! There seems to be only one other person signed up so far for March, so I hope it isn't cancelled....

I would add to "things to bring", ball point pens. During several trips to India, whenever we were around schoolchildren, they clamored around us (in a friendly, fun way) asking for PENS. I started swiping every pen I could find from our hotels on that first trip! Since then, I make sure to stock up on pens from Costco or Staples before trips to India, or other areas where children are likely to be lacking basic school supplies.

Hi Walker,
Those are such good suggestions! Thank you. It is the Dollar Store for me. And I see we can bring 2 suitcases with us so one can be for kid stuff and one can be for what we need. How did you get in touch with Anuragk? Would he/she be OK if you shared her/his email?
I used to live in Hamburg NY as a child.
I have not received an information packet in the mail.....I
I get in at 0100 hrs on the first day so I booked a room at our hotel for the night before so I can sleep. Did anyone else do that? The rate was about $75.00.
This will be an amazing adventure and I am eager to get it started.
Blessings,
Steph

Thank you so much for those suggestions, Beth. I have not been to India . It has been on my heart for years though so I am so glad to be able to go. If you have more suggestions I am all ears!
Blessings,
Steph

Beth, I was the only one signed up in January after some people changed plans. Road Scholar runs the program for even one person. I thought about it -but was concerned about the unaccompanied train trip from Delhi to Jaipur. I hate to say it, but as a woman, I thought it unwise to travel alone. Also part of the adventure is meeting new people. Eighteen or so days by myself in a foreign country seemed alone.

I keep forgetting to hit reply at the end again. Lost another reply! Anuragk's email is roadscholarpenpal@gmail.com. I have the list of supplies there but it is on my computer. Don't know how to transfer it to here.
Road Scholar made my travel plans. I fly from Buffalo NY to NYC, then later that day a fourteen hour flight no stops to Delhi.
So you will meet us in Delhi? Cindy, will we first meet in Delhi?

Etta

Steph, over the past few months in other discussion threads in "India", I've commented on books, a few movies, meds, and avoiding Delhi Belly. I'm better at answering questions than offering suggestions!

I do have some favorite quotes - some unattributed, about the amazing experience that travel in India is.

The first thing I heard was "India will change your life forever." I chortled when I heard this, but a few weeks later found it to be true.

The second line was "India is an assault to your senses." At the final group dinner (not RS) on my first trip in 2007, we each had to make a few comments. I mentioned this assault quote, and said that rather, I liked to think of India as having "enhanced" my senses.

Finally, here is a quote from Sarah MadDonald's book "Holy Cow" : "India is beyond statement, for anything you say, the opposite is also true. It's rich and poor, spiritual and material, cruel and kind, angry but peaceful, ugly and beautiful, and smart but stupid. It's all the extremes."

walker (Etta) - I certainly understand your concern about travel alone as a woman in India. And absolutely, yes, meeting fellow travelers as part of group is such fun. I'll keep my fingers crossed about the March program between now and when the final payment is due!!!

Cindy and Steph, I just peeked at our online Final Information Packet. There are three flights listed. Steph, you said you arrive 0100 hours the "first day"-is that February 6 or 7? My flight comes in on February 7 the earliest of listed flights at 2:50. There are two others shortly after till about 3:15. So we must have others on our trip. So looking forward to this.

Beth, how does it look for your trip?
Etta

Finally I got to a place where I can send a reply!!! Hi Etta!!
I get in about 0100 on the 7th. I booked this through RS so they have all my information. I see that my flight is not listed in the information package. But they assure me that because I booked with them I will be picked up at the airport and taken to the B&B in the wee small hours of the morning.....! I have booked a room at our B&B so that I can go to bed and sleep before the day starts...Did you find the roommate list anyplace in the packet? I did not.
Can hardly wait to meet you all!!

Hi Etta, Thank you for asking! Alas, the one other participant disappeared so I decided to cancel my trip, although RS was willing to run the trip for just me, as you had mentioned. Being truly solo for this kind of trip had no appeal, as much as I love India. What I love about traveling with "groups" is sharing perspectives, laughing when you really might want to groan/cry/meltdown, learning from people one would have never imagined one could, etc, etc, etc. I'd sign up for Feb 6 trip, but it's too soon after I get back from another international trip!!! 2019? Have a great trip!