Cold feet......need support....

Selfdefinition

Hi Everyone: First, I wanted to say that I'm sooo happy I found this site--I've used all kinds of tips to prepare for my trip!

Second, I'm leaving in exactly 48 hours, and I am really starting to freak out about it!! What I have done?? I'm panicking about going alone and concerned that I won't meet anyone. Now intellectually I know that I will likely meet people because I always do when I travel, but emotionally, I'm a wreck! In addition to my trip, I am also experiencing all kinds of other changes in my life, which isn't helping matters any. My stuff is in storage and I just finished a degree. When I return to Canada two months from now, I'm moving to a new city to start a new job. Feeling extremely anxious about everything, and thinking that India was a bad idea--perhaps I should have gone somewhere a little mellower!

Anyway, I'm sure I'll be fine after I arrive, but I am feeling a great deal of anticipatory anxiety--can anyone relate????

FirstTimer

not sure this helps, but I'm leaving in 10 days to travel alone as well, and I start feeling these butterflies in my stomach... trying to remember why I decided to go... I think it was something about challenges...and now (when everything is booked) it sounds like a really bad idea. Reading this forum makes me feel a little better (well, sometimes not ) but thanks everyone!!!

dshah

ohh just relax and take a deep breath

well, if that doesn't work just try to dissassociate yourself for now from all these thoughts, just 'go through' the plans you have made passively till you reach India. Your travel will be just fine and nothing out of normal will happen


I had my issue when moving to new city, country in past, but somehow I got over it, just go through it and you will be fine.

Hope this helps....make sure you do all necessary things for travel, don't think of rest

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Viajera

I've never been to India either...I'm going in December so I can understand your anticipation/frustration

You'll be fine....it will be a great experience for you! Don't freak out...it does nothing to help the situation. Sorry, I have no wise words for you.

You are going to India so have a great time and let me know how it goes

Selfdefinition

On top of it, I just had a slight heart attack--I have my VISA for India, but did not check the cities in which I have connecting flights!!!! Thank god I don't need one for England or Austria! Yes, first-timer, sometimes I feel like I have rocks in my head!!!!! Have a great trip!!!!!

happytraveler

This is my first post, and I had to respond because I just came back from a trip to India - alone - for a month so I can totally relate. In fact, before every trip, I have at least one moment of... what was I thinking?! The first day in Delhi, too, I thought that perhaps India was a bad choice because I was so overwhelmed. By the second day, I was already enjoying myself (and that was in the insane heat of August).

I'm so incredibly glad I went and I met a lot of just amazing people. I do think it is not as easy to meet people as, say, the hostels in Europe or something like that. However, if you are looking to meet other travellers, once you hook into the backpacker circuit, they are everywhere (on my trip, this was Mcleod Ganj which I know some people on this site aren't too crazy about...). I also would just go up to fellow travelers while I was at my hotel or out walking around or sightseeing and strike up a conversation which always seemed to work out.

Also, keep in mind that India is incredibly diverse and seemed like each place had such a distinct feel, so assuming you're not running on a tight itinerary, don't be afraid to stop and stay a while if you like a place and feel comfortable there. I definitely didn't feel pressured to see a certain number of things but rather just went with the flow and enjoyed the experience. By enjoy, I meant the good and bad because it was an intense experience for me and had incredible moments (often followed by frustrating, crazy moments)

Good luck! Have faith and be glad you are the kind of person who is not afraid of challenging yourself!!

Selfdefinition

I got the sense that it would not be as easy to meet travellers there, but I'm far from shy and will certainly have no problem asking people for help! I have 2 months, so I'm not at all on any kind of set itinerary (I hate travelling that way). I will go with the flow--wherever my karma happens to take me! There are a few places that I must see, Varanasi is definitely on my list.

Thanks for all your comments--I'm sure I'll be completely overwhelmed in Delhi the first few days, but that's all part of the adventure, no?

passingby

you'll be fine...
I was in a similar situation 2 years ago when I left my job in Sweden to go travel in Asia for 7 months and from Asia I came back to Canada to live here.
I loved the whole experience and turning back time I would do it all over again. The only downfall to do it all over again, is that it will never be like the first time.
so enjoy your first trip, you will love it, hate it, adore it and hate it some more... but that is India to all of us.... a mixture of inner emotions that make you go crazy while in India.

bijapuri

keep it simple- just get on the plane. Do not focus on anything else. If you miss that plane you'll regret it for the rest of your life.
If you don't like Ma India- simply get back on! the plane home!
We have it so easy compared to any other generation. until 50 years ago, travel to India was a real committment, and until recently, most did not return!

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dshah

by the way what is taking you to India, care to share?

dzibead

Don't worry, just go with it! Since you are already embarking on some major life transitions, I can't think of better place to start than India. It's an amazing, amazing place. Overwhelming? Well, it certainly can be. Depending on where you are, there are often lots and lots of people (many of whom can get in your face) and lots of chaos. And, yes, there's squalor and poverty. But there's also phenomenal beauty, wonderfully warm people, an almost incomprehensible depth of history and culture, and a staggering variety of weather/topography/culture. And at some point, even the crowds and the chaos and the insane traffic become part of the fantastic experience. It's not all that hard to function and get around, either. English is used everywhere. The train system is great. There are hotels and guest houses and restauants for every budget. And, the internet is everywhere, so if you are feeling overwhelmed, just sign on to IM and you'll have a ready-made support network. Heck, you might even be able to send out an SOS on IM to hook up with someone in whatever town you find yourself in. There are people here who live in Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Varanasi --- etc, etc. I predict you'll have an amazing time! Keep us posted.

Selfdefinition

I've been obsessed with India for very long time, and now I will finally realize my dream! I just received an email from a close friend who has been to India. He called me an "intensity junkie" and said that I will get what I asked for in India!

I love everything Indian--the clothes, the smells (incense that is--ask me about this after I arrive in Delhi), the food, Hinduism, meditation, yoga, veganism, everything..I'm looking forward to lots of random events and living in the moment, because I get the sense that you have no choice but to!!!!

Selfdefinition

dzibead: good description--that's the way I'm picturing it! I will post my initial impressions on Friday and let everyone know what happens!!

hawaiiyogagrl

Hey Self Definition- I am vibe-ing all the aloha I can to you right now. India, all these changes in your life- it's all happening because you need it to. My teacher told me that whenever I start freaking out about something, then that's the right place for me to be to learn something. The stuff that doesn't freak us out, doesn't teach much at all. (uh, he said it way more eloquantly than that)
Good luck, sister!

imhere0905

Good luck SelfDefinition, I'm sure it will be fine, just go with the flow or at least that's what I keep telling myself and I still have 4 or so weeks till I get there, and a friend told me to stop thinking too much, good advice really

Hawiiyoagrl, I like the right place for you to be to learn something, thanks for that.