So, everyone knows that I don't need much of an excuse to buy another gadget. But, I think this one will definitely come in handy. It's an Ultra-Violet Handheld Water Purifier. I can't resist those damn Amazon.com specials. I read up on it and it's gotten some great reviews. Plus, I can use it when I go hiking and camping. I am always fighting the urge to drink from the Delaware River on our annual rafting trip and now I can! So with any luck, this new little toy should help keep me from experiencing any "discomfort" while I'm in India.
And now I have one more reason to stay healthy while on my trip. I just found out that my good friend Jeff Puls will be touring India the same time I will be there. Jeff and I worked and roomed together when I worked as a firefighter at the Grand Canyon. Jeff became a paramedic recently and since the season is over he's taking a month to bum around India, starting in Bangalore ("bum" is the key word there). Hopefully, we'll be able to meet up in Delhi and raise some hell. I can't wait.
About the Water Purifier
Great picture of Jeff
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
No More $#@&%* Shots!
I am all done with my vaccinations! I'm inoculated against so many diseases right now I could probably drink a glass of "water" from the East River with no ill effects. I'm not that brave though.
Next on the agenda is to prepare my shopping/packing list. Powerbars, beef jerky and hand sanitizer have all been heartily recommended by friends who've been to India already. I will probably stick some of my beloved Chunky bars in there and some Peanut Butter as well. And I may pick up some MREs too, just in case I want to take a break from the local cuisine. The "Spaghetti with Meat Sauce" was always a favorite of mine, I guess I didn't get enough of them when I was in the Army. One of the best things I learned in the service was how to make "Ranger Pudding" from the MRE Hot Cocoa packets, that and how to thrust a bayonet in between someone's second and third ribs without getting it stuck in the bone. You know, practical stuff that I can use at my desk job.
All about MREs
Ranger Pudding Recipe
Next on the agenda is to prepare my shopping/packing list. Powerbars, beef jerky and hand sanitizer have all been heartily recommended by friends who've been to India already. I will probably stick some of my beloved Chunky bars in there and some Peanut Butter as well. And I may pick up some MREs too, just in case I want to take a break from the local cuisine. The "Spaghetti with Meat Sauce" was always a favorite of mine, I guess I didn't get enough of them when I was in the Army. One of the best things I learned in the service was how to make "Ranger Pudding" from the MRE Hot Cocoa packets, that and how to thrust a bayonet in between someone's second and third ribs without getting it stuck in the bone. You know, practical stuff that I can use at my desk job.
All about MREs
Ranger Pudding Recipe
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Shutterbugging You
My waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof camera just arrived! I am very excited and cannot wait to start taking pictures with it. Soon I will be boring you with meaningless images in addition to meaningless text.
P.S. I can't believe I'm going to India.
Camera Description
P.S. I can't believe I'm going to India.
Camera Description
Monday, October 8, 2007
Yoga and Yellow Fever
The school where I study mixed martial arts just started offering Yoga classes. I thought taking one every week would be another great way to start familiarizing myself with the Indian culture. I had my first one this morning and it was quite an experience.
Picture four burly guys of questionable character shaking and straining to hold the Upward Facing Dog while the four-foot-nothing Yoga instructor folds herself into a pretzel with ease. It was tough and humbling. The Pigeon elicited the most grunts of pain. If everyone in India is as flexible as this instructor seemed, I will be seriously impressed.
I made the final appointment for my vaccinations and afterwards I think my wallet will be smarting as much as my arms will. Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies are not covered under my medical insurance and the combined total for the shots will be over $500. But, of course the alternative could be spending some time in an Indian hospital with Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis or Rabies. Not much of an option here.
Related Yoga Story
Picture four burly guys of questionable character shaking and straining to hold the Upward Facing Dog while the four-foot-nothing Yoga instructor folds herself into a pretzel with ease. It was tough and humbling. The Pigeon elicited the most grunts of pain. If everyone in India is as flexible as this instructor seemed, I will be seriously impressed.
I made the final appointment for my vaccinations and afterwards I think my wallet will be smarting as much as my arms will. Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies are not covered under my medical insurance and the combined total for the shots will be over $500. But, of course the alternative could be spending some time in an Indian hospital with Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis or Rabies. Not much of an option here.
Related Yoga Story
Friday, October 5, 2007
The Amazing Human Pin Cushion
Just a sampling of the shots I got today for my upcoming trip:
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Polio
And not all of them were in my arm mind you! I still have to get vaccinated for Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies, Tetanus and the Flu. There better be some appreciative damn Indians greeting me when I land over there.
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Polio
And not all of them were in my arm mind you! I still have to get vaccinated for Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies, Tetanus and the Flu. There better be some appreciative damn Indians greeting me when I land over there.
Like Juice?
"Hello, I'd like to make a reservation for dinner tonight."
"You what you want?" (heavy Indian accent)
"I'd like to come there for dinner tonight, do I need a reservation?"
"You need reservation for dinner."
"Ok, great can I get a reservation for tonight at 8:15?"
"You need name for reservation."
"Ok, my name is Joe."
"George?"
"No, Joe. J-O-E."
"Like juice?"
"Um... yes, I do like juice."
"Like juice, like juice. J-U..."
"No, no, no. JOE. J-O-E."
"Ok, ok, Joe, Joe. What you number?"
"347..."
"Area code, what you area code?"
"That is the area code. 347"
"Ok, ok what you number?"
"With the area code or just the number?"
"Ok, ok come at 8 we see you at 8."
"8:15"
"Yes, yes, 8 ok" (click)
"You what you want?" (heavy Indian accent)
"I'd like to come there for dinner tonight, do I need a reservation?"
"You need reservation for dinner."
"Ok, great can I get a reservation for tonight at 8:15?"
"You need name for reservation."
"Ok, my name is Joe."
"George?"
"No, Joe. J-O-E."
"Like juice?"
"Um... yes, I do like juice."
"Like juice, like juice. J-U..."
"No, no, no. JOE. J-O-E."
"Ok, ok, Joe, Joe. What you number?"
"347..."
"Area code, what you area code?"
"That is the area code. 347"
"Ok, ok what you number?"
"With the area code or just the number?"
"Ok, ok come at 8 we see you at 8."
"8:15"
"Yes, yes, 8 ok" (click)
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
India on the Big Screen
Coincidentally, there are two movies out right now that feature trips through India. Outsourced, about programmer from Seattle who has to travel to India to train his replacement, and The Darjeeling Limited, a Wes Anderson film about three American brothers who have not spoken to each other in a year who set off on a train voyage across India with a plan to find themselves and bond with each other. Nobody from the team can make it, so I am going to check them out on my own before I leave.
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