Finally Here!

So. . . . where to start? I could start with our flight mishap ( the one that caused us to fly to India two days late), or I could start with the welcoming surprise of our host families at the airport and the days following after, or I could possibly list the details of our Gateway and National Pre-Departure Orientations. Or, I could just write about my love of the Harry Potter series. But chronological order is best, no?

Gateway and National Pre-Departures:

I guess I'll start with the preparations that got us here. Undoubtedly you have heard of – or been to – the National Pre-Departure Orientation. Lectures of relevance to the YES Abroad program and studying abroad were given, and seemed to have formed a mix between informative and fun. I personally enjoyed them ( though some did get to be a little long) and felt very prepared at the end of the day.

After the National PDO took place, India ( me!) and Thailand groups were whisked away to a hotel to begin our Gateway Orientation. I can safely say that we all passed with flying colors. With such small groups, it was very enjoyable and close-knit. This is a shout-out to Zoe, who was THE best group leader in the entire world! Zoe, you must have an old soul; you answered all of our pressing questions in a relaxed, knowledgeable, wisdom-y way, and we couldn't have asked for a better leader!

Flight Delay:(

Now, after that, we were supposed to be flown away to our respective countries, but things didn't actually turn out that way. Untimely weather caused our flight to be delayed so we would miss our connection to Delhi, but rescue came in the form of the most awesome customer service agent named Davis. We were with him for TWO HOURS as we tried to reschedule our flight. Suffice to say, we eventually were rerouted through Germany, but had to spend the night in a hotel.

What followed were the longest twenty-one hours of my entire life. A seven hour flight from Dullas to Germany. A seven hour layover, where I ordered the famous German sausage that starts with a B ( which I am two lazy to look up right now. Bruatworst?). And upon which was followed by a seven hour flight to Delhi. And upon that flight, I was asked at least three times by my neighbor whether or not I had a boyfriend. After each time I told him no, he asked why not. And I kept telling him I was too busy to trifle with such things. And he kept asking me why not. And so on. Eventually, however, I believe I got him to rethink the American Stereotype: all teenagers have boy/girlfriends. I hadn't even touched Indian soil and I was already helping to break down stereotypes!

Host Family Meeting:

Initially, we had no idea what to expect when we landed. We were two days late, and had been told that there was a possibility that someone was to take us to our Orientation. However, that was not the case. Imagine our surprise then, when our host families met us as we exited the the airport! For those of you worried about the awkwardness of meeting your host families, who are scared that they might not like you, who are worried about impressing them – don't be! My meeting with my host family was simply amazing; we even joked and laughed. It helped that Pranik was the chatterbox, always thinking of things to say when the conversation died down. Your host family WANTS you to be there; they want you to be comfortable. They want you to be a part of the family. So of course they will want to like you, and (unless you give them express reason not to )they will. 

Life in Three Days:

So, I guess I have a unique situation on my hand. Well, I'm not claiming I am very special ( because I'm really not), but my host family is a bit different. Initially, I believed that there were only three people in my host family: Pragya ( host mother), Pravin ( host father), and Pramay ( host brother). I believed that because that was the only information I had received from AFS! And when I say the only info, it was limited to their NAMES and EMAILS! Just that! But it turns out I have a much larger family welcoming me into their arms. In addition to the three above, I have a younger host brother, a host uncle and a host aunt, and a host grandfather. I also live in two places, a five minute walk from each other.

At the moment, everything is very new and very shiny. The food has been fabulous ( I especially like Roti, a sort of homemade bread, and Paneer, a cottage cheese thing, please forgive the spellings), and everyone has been super-duper nice to me. They always ask me if I am okay, or offer me things to drink and eat. They are definitely trying to fatten me up!!

Anyway, all in all, everything has been fabulous. Well, the heat and humidity I could do without, but I'm learning to roll with the punches. 

And now, I shall leave you with a Harry Potter Quote: 

 It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live. — Albus Dumbledore