Prep Work for India 2025

 This trip has been a LONG time in the making! It went from a discussion of a possible "someday" about 3 years ago in casual conversation to having a countdown: we are UNDER 20 days to departure!

India is such a large country - even spending three weeks - we won't see EVERYTHING there is to see, but I reassure myself that the same thing is true of ANY place - even New York State - so - I take comfort knowing we will be doing the best we can with the time (and budget!) permitted.

In addition to regular passports (necessary for international travel), India also requires visas for everyone who enters. This is an extra precaution that requires the submission of identifying information and documentation of personal details. It cannot be applied for too far in advance (30 days max!), which can be a little daunting when booking flights and lodgings months prior. I am happy to report that our visa applications were approved this past week! Also, it is highly recommended that every traveler have multiple copies of their passports and visas - and to record the location of their nation's embassy. (The American Embassy in India is located in New Delhi - just in case you were wondering!)

We also scheduled an appointment with 'Passport Health'  - a travel clinic - to make sure we are all up to date on recommended vaccines and to get prescriptions against malaria. Because we are not traveling to any REMOTE locations - or spending extensive time in the wilderness, the only recommended vaccine was typhoid (I opted for the tablets with live virus - it is good for five years! My travel partner opted for the shot - good for two years.) - and we also took a script against "traveler's diarrhea" (yes - that is a thing). They also supplied us with some bug repellent - two types! One to spray on our clothes before packing - and one for our skin while we are in country.

I coordinated supervision for the pup (Gidget doesn't get to join on this adventure), and we informed our emergency contacts (in India and the US) of our itinerary. We have not yet notified the banks and credit cards - but that will be tackled this week. (As a side note - little 'travel tip': it is important to include the countries your layovers are in as well as your final destinations... so that you can purchase refreshments in the airports!) And of course we still need to pack (which reminds me - I need to locate my international outlet adapter/converter!)... but - everything else seems to be in order! 

I can hardly contain my excitement - and - I will be sure to keep you posted on our highlights! Stay tuned!