Current mood:	curious
Entry tags:	dalai lama, india, israel, tibet

Travel Plans (28 Shvat 5769)
I am thinking of going to India in May. The reason for the timing is really that it's between Jewish holidays and before it's too hot. It's been awhile since I've been to Israel, but I don't really have that "itch" yet, and for $1000 plane fare I would rather have the itch to go.

The main reason for the visit is to go to Dharmsala. Coincidentally the Dalai Lama will be in New York City giving public lectures in late April, but you really have to go all the way to India to actually meet the guy, and he's not going to live forever. And I wanted to go to Tibet, but they closed it to foreigners again in case there would be riots. Then people rioted about their country being closed off. Either way, no Tibet.

Also both my Pride and Prejudice novels and some of my vampire stuff have had scenes in India (mostly late Raj India), so I'd like to have seen what I write about instead of just going by the pictures and travel descriptions. Also on the agenda: New Delhi, Agras, maybe Bodhgaya or another site in the general area. Really I should see British Madras, as I've written about it, but I don't really think I'll have the time to go south.

Main reasons to go: Dalai Lama's not going to live forever, his current schedule places him in Dharmsala in mid-May. Historical research, going to a country I've never been before, most things are wicked cheap there so travel expenses after plane fare will not be high. Also there is kosher food in New Dehli, so I would bring some food and also load up on food there before traveling.

Main reasons not to go: If I get sick there I am essentially fucked. I wouldn't go long enough to get really sick (probably 2 weeks at the absolute most) and am on an antibiotic anyway, but these things happen. On the other hand, I would get the raise the number of foreign emergency rooms I've visited to 3. (Israel, England) Also India isn't safe for a woman traveling alone, and I don't have anyone to go with me, but I haven't found a tour that goes where I want to go and doesn't add another couple thousand to the expense. Also tours are generally too grueling a schedule for me when I travel, which is how I end up in emergency rooms.

Advice? Connections? Want to come?