Five Days until we leave

It has been in the works for six months but now we are down to the starting line. The birding trip with Bird Treks was originally set to be with 6 minimum and 8 maximum birders. Our friends Dave and Sandy Parker wanted to go, so that was four for us. They agreed to have the trip with only four because they didn't find anyone else. Unfortunately Dave and Sandy had to drop out a couple of weeks ago because of medical condition. So it is Just Zosia and me, but our guide in India OP (Om Prakash Mudgal) said the trip was still on. That was great because our trip insurance doesn't cover the operator canceling the trip. We were advised to get trip insurance in case some disaster occurs getting there or when we are on the trip. Since we will be driving around and on foot in the countryside most of the time, it sounded like good advice. We will be with our guide and the driver all the time so I guess we can pretty much deviate from his standard itinerary any way we want.

We're all paid for, been packing and repacking for a week, changing bags to see what size is best, figuring out what to bring and what doesn't make sense. We've got our Indian shirt and blouses at the Austin Indian shop. Yes, i know they would be much cheaper in India, but I wanted to show up with my cotton long shirt in University of Texas burnt orange colors. Zosia got two cotton Indian tops and two Gaudy and flashy sequined polyester tops that the woman said would be ideal for going out to dinner - $10 each, fire sale - I guess they weren't selling in Austin. We have been watching Bollywood movies - Lagaan (again) and the Three Idiots, a new release in the movie theatre - both starring the heart throb Aamir Khan. I have been trying to get a winter tan by going to the pool each warm and sunny day to look a little darker and fit in better. Now I am reading a book on Indian development from Independence (1947) to present day - In spite of the Gods - The Rise of Modern India . And I check out the Dehli Times every day or so so I can engage in discussion of the latest scandals.

So I guess we are ready as ever - yeah right - we'll repack again and again over the next four days. I did get great hints from my high school/college friend - Ted aka Bijapuri Smackdown - I am hoping he will be my behind the scenes spiritual guide through facebook.