1 thing on my mind

Basically, there are no thoughts right now besides INDIA INDIA INDIA in 41hours.
I don't think I've ever been this excited.
Too bad I have a geo test and soo much more to do for tomorrow, but there is nothing besides me and my Lonely Planet right now.
The plane letters are here, the bags are not packed, and we have 600lbs over donations - who could ask for more?! (besides the clock to go faster)
next post - from INDIA.wow.
-Erin

It's A Good Thing Reedijk Isn't Coming...

The latest (and first) issue of The Stand (our school newspaper) came out today, and right on the front cover was an article written by our own Loren Cohen called 'The Podanur Junction' all about the 12 of us and our journey across India. Now, with less then a week to go, we are all realizing how close we actually are, and the excitement and the nervousness doubles every day.
Currently, I am debating with my friend Max Reedijk about the food that we will be eating, in both North and South India, and the only thing we have concluded is that lots of rice will be eaten. And for those of us the like coffee, apparently it is very 'robust'. To quote Max 'It all looks kinda gross'.
The tricky part of this whole trip right now is managing your excitment with the school work that we have to finish before we all leave. I have a whole French speech, a movie on the Italian Unification and for those of us in standard math, a big math test. But this work is all in the back of our minds.
I know that I can't wait to be done with school, so I can give India my full attention.
Next time I write, I have this feeling that I will be at the orphanage saying hello to everybody back home!
-Harry

Getting Ready

'Foreigners were stared at in India. Somewhere in the five or more millennia of its history, the culture had decided to dispense with the casual, nonchalant glance. By the time I came to Bombay, the eye contact ranged from an ogling gaze to a gawping, goggle-eyed glare. There was nothing malicious in it. The staring eyes that found and followed me everywhere I went were innocent, curious, and almost always friendly' (Gregory David Roberts, (2003). Shantaram, p. 549).

No matter how well prepared we think we are for India; we are in for three incredible weeks. For one thing, we are about to become very visible. People will stare at us and take our pictures. We are going to learn what it feels like to be ‘the other’. The lives we lead here in Toronto will be suspended for a while (It’ll all still be here when we get back though). It is my hope that while we’re away, each of us will be open minded and willing to be true members of the team. This trip will open our senses to an amazing array of people, sights, sounds, flavors, rituals, and beliefs. It will make us better and more versatile people for the rest of our lives if we let it. Mr. B

21 more sleeps

Our departure day is quickly approaching so I thought I would jot down a few thoughts. Our magic lessons are coming to a close, Indian food has been had, shots are done, donations are coming in, money's been raised - we are itching to go! In just a few weeks, we will be busy packing donations that have been so gratefully received by many members of the York community. We will be taking our first dose of Dukoral together to ensure our stomaches can handle the food and be busy comparing our packing strategies of our personal belongings! The 12 of us are excited to go and look forward to sharing our blog with you.
All for now, Ms. Prevedello