eternal night

well, i'm reporting live from the Abu Dabhi airport. After a 13 hours flight from jfk, I have made it through the first major leg of my trip. I now await my flight to mumbai. That connection will just be 4 hours and hopefully the seats will hurt my ass less.

I left jfk at 11pm, arrived in abu dabhi at 8pm, and will land in mumbai at 2am. I feel like it has been night for an eternity.

Anyway, already i feel more connected to the world and this crazy journey of mine. Being on Etihad airways, and one of very few white passengers, immediately opened me up. I felt both watched and anonymous, people were curious about me and asked questions. Why are you traveling alone? How old are you?

I bonded with the woman next me, as she was weeping while watching the karate kid and i was weeping watching Edward Scissorhands.

This is a brief post but will let you know more once I've gotten to india.

Calm before the storm

Although I have not physically left for India, my journey has begun. Leaving chapel hill, my friends, my job, and my security, I feel like the universe is spinning so quickly. It's exhilarating and frightening and beautiful all at the same time. My body is beginning to remember why traveling is so damn vital. Why being undone by new people and places is how I make sense of the world. My brain needs to be charged again, and I know this trip will do that and so much more.

So, here's my plan so far:

October 18-22: Mumbai
October 22 - April 10 : ?

I have many ideas of places that I want to go, but my heart is not letting me do a lot of planning. It's a good thing. I'm allowing space for India to change and move me.

Anyway, this blog is up. I will try my best to keep it updated BUT if I do not, please please please send me an email and remind me to :)