I finally know where I’ll be staying for the first week in India. This is a huge relief, as it’s been up in the air as to where we’d be staying. Sure, it’s fun to do the 5-star hotel routine, but I’ve never really been comfortable in them. I’m looking forward to checking out a hotel that fits with what we’d be likely to stay in at home. Sounds weird, I know.

I still have a few things left to pickup and do before I can leave:

1. AA and AAA batteries (yeah, I need more)
2. Anti-Histamines
3. Tic Tacs
4. Get my final vaccinations (tomorrow).

Ok, that seems like a really short list. I must be forgetting something…I also need to charge my on my cell phones, camera, laptop and iPod.

WAHHHH! The time is just starting to fly by and I’m not sure where any of it has gone! Certainly I haven’t spent enough of it packing my bags.

Now that I’ve stopped focusing on work and returned to packing, I’ve had to call up my friends and let them know I’m ditching some of their gifts for Manila. Over 10 lbs of chocolate just isn’t making it into my bags when I have a 50 lb weight limit on them. I can’t afford the extra luggage fees, so some of the bars will be jettisoned in favour of things such as clothes, shoes, and toiletries. I’ve already notified the affected parties who will get their chocolate back after all the packing and weighing is done.

Technorati Tags: travel, India, hotel, packing

The Oil got their panties spanked by the Flames last night (4-0) and the best part of the game for Oilers’ fans was possibly the TimBits game held during the intermission. Rolly took a beating and Kip was on fire. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a goalie that hot. I guess I should be watching more games outside of Oil country…

Third period saw Rolly pulled in favour of Jussi and a boatload of fights. Tensions always run high between these two teams.

After the game there were a few fights amongst the fans. Of course, the hubby in his infinite wisdom, decided that he needed to step between two combatants and break up one of the fights. What made him step between two drunken men battling it out? Too much time spent on Peacekeeping missions I’d guess. He tells a different story. According to el hubster, he says you can tell who the victim is, who the aggressor is, how they’ll react to a stranger stepping into the mix within 30 seconds. Like poker, if you can’t tell who the sucker (or victim) is, it’s you.

Considering all the stabbings and shootings that have happened in the city over the past year, I really wasn’t impressed. Worried for his safety would better describe my state of mind.

And now, it’s time to do some laundry and work on packing my bags.

Technorati Tags: hockey, oilers, flames, laundry, fighting

This weekend is the time to do all the last minute rushing around before I head out next week. After a full day at work last night, we rushed to dinner with friends and then headed out to Karaoke. There’s nothing like singing Leaving on a jet plane a few days before you actually do toddle off into the great blue yonder.

For the first time in weeks the place seemed packed – ok, there were probably only another 4-5 couples at the bar – and there was an older gentleman singing a lot of Johnny Cash (amazingly well, if I might add) that really should come out more often.

After bribing my designated sober person to drive me home at 2:30 am we had to clean up the mess the puppies made. Apparently they didn’t like being left home alone for so long and proceeded to shred papers and dump garbage in the kitchen. *sigh*

This morning has been a blur of shopping and laundry as I try to cross things of my must have list.

1. Mosquito repellant
2. Anti-malarial prescription
3. Hand sanitizer
4. AA and AAA batteries
5. Voice recorder
6. Small bottle of shampoo
7. Q-tips
8. Band aids
9. Anti-bacterial foam wash and cremes for cuts
10. Antacid
11. Sweater bags (plastic clothes storage bags come in really handy when you’re packing)
12. Snacks for the plane (I love Sunray fruit snacks)
13. Tic Tacs
14. Anti-histamines
15. Tylenol

Now begins the mad dash to get everything into a single bag while staying in the 50 lbs limit. Ah, the joys of travel.

At least I can put this behind me for a few hours this evening and spend my time watching the Oiler’s game with some friends this evening. Good thing we checked our tickets this morning or we could have arrived at Rexall Place a few hours too early for the show. Oh, and tonight I shall bring my camera…

Technorati Tags: travel, india, packing, hockey, Oilers, karaoke

I’m posting this one up early since I have a full day ahead of me tomorrow.

Welcome to the 14th edition of the screaming pages Thursday Thirteen.

Now that my passport has been returned to me and I have a travel visa, I’m starting to plan out all the things I want to see and places I’d like to visit and the things I want to do while I’m in country (and when I have a free moment from work). I plan to blog from India, so you’ll can keep track of how many of the places I manage to visit before I head to Manila.

Thirteen Things about SHE. Places to see Agra – Taj Mahal – I’ve never been to the north of India before and lucky me I’ll be spending over a week in Gurgaon. I land only a few minutes before Indian Independence Day, so over the holiday weekend I’m going to make the trek out to Agra and see the Taj for the first time. Travel on the train. I’ve been told it’s an experience that should not be missed. See monkeys, elephants and snake charmers in Delhi. The only monkeys I saw in 2003 were at the templat at Chamundi Hill. I hear they’re all over the place in the north – along with snake charmers and elephants! Visit the Lalbagh Gardens. I spent 7 weeks in Bangalore in 2003 and still can’t believe I never made the trip to see these gardens while I was there previously. Visit the Mani Bhavan in Mumbai or Ghandi National museum in Dehli which chronicle the life of Mahatma Ghandi. Visit Vasai – This abandoned 16th century Portuguese fort (Fort Bassein or Baçaim) is a day trip from Mumbai. Be an extra in a Bollywood movie. Hey, last time I was in India I attended an invitation only MTV/Lycra party, so I may have a shot at reaching this goal as well. One can only dream. Of course, if I can’t manage to become an extra in a movie, I’d at least like to go to the cinema and see a Bollywood film in an Indian theatre. Visit Jama Vasjid. This is the largest mosque in “Old” Delhi and holds up to 25,000 worshippers at a time. Visit Qutb Minar. Visit Humayun’s Tomb and Nizam-ud-din’s Shrine in Dehli. Return to the Bull Temple. I’ve been there and written about my experience before, but my traveling companion hasn’t seen it yet. Shop and explore MG and Brigade roads (Bangalore). I had so much fun there in 2003. Perhaps on the drive I’ll manage to finally get a photo of the outside wall of the Catholic cemetery that had a painted sign stating “please do not pass urine here” that I used to pass each day on my way from the hotel to work. If there’s time, make a trip out to Chamundi Hill and Somnathapura (close to Mysore) while visiting Bangalore. I’m only spending 3 or 4 days in Bangalore, so I don’t know how much I’ll manage to see while I’m there. I do have to find time to fit in some work during my trip… Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

I head to the dentist this afternoon – wish me luck!

Technorati Tags: thursday thirteen, t13, meme, travel, India, Bollywood

I’m holding in my hot little hands my passport, safely returned from the Indian Consulate. I can now enter, leave, and re-enter India with abandon.

Since my first visit in the fall of 2003 I’ve been plotting to return to India as soon as possible. Well, it’s taken 3 years but I’m only a few days away from setting foot in the birthplace of civilization. I’ll arrive only a few minutes before the Independence Day holiday begins and am looking forward to seeing the celebrations in person.

Now, to plan the rest of the sightseeing (between trips to work of course).

Technorati Tags: passport, India