I had a good India-related day today!
I had the whole day to kill in Birmingham, so thought I'd get on with some tasks.
I visited a couple of independent travel agents to get a quote on my flight, which was about what I expected so that's good.
Unfortunately, they also confirmed my fears that the Visa application process has changed and I won't be able to wring a couple of extra days out of it, so that means no time for a trip to Manali. :( I'm disappointed, but had expected that to be the case. Will just have to save up for another trip.
Next, I tracked down the travel clinic my health centre referred me to. Apparently they made one attempt to contact me after I left multiple messages, and when there was no answer, gave up! Was not impressed, but have the deputy manger's word that she will personally call me within 2 days with possible appointment dates.So I guess that's sort of getting there.
Finally, I ran an India-themed night at Brownies. I'd planned to get them decorating their hands henna-style, they played an elephant version of Beetle!, and I also had some samosa and bhajis for them to try. I wanted to get some gelabi or other India sweets for them to try as well, and by happy coincidence drove past a street near the clinic which was almost like a street in India; complete with India banks. I went into a lovely restaurant/ sweet shop and the man in there was really helpful and friendly. He let me try anything and everything I wanted, made useful recommendations, and even gave me a discount. The food was amazing and he just reminded me so much of the way people interact in India that I am once again very excited. I think the brownies enjoyed it as well.
That's all for today, quite glad I've finally started to tick some things off the list.
Philippa
I had the whole day to kill in Birmingham, so thought I'd get on with some tasks.
I visited a couple of independent travel agents to get a quote on my flight, which was about what I expected so that's good.
Unfortunately, they also confirmed my fears that the Visa application process has changed and I won't be able to wring a couple of extra days out of it, so that means no time for a trip to Manali. :( I'm disappointed, but had expected that to be the case. Will just have to save up for another trip.
Next, I tracked down the travel clinic my health centre referred me to. Apparently they made one attempt to contact me after I left multiple messages, and when there was no answer, gave up! Was not impressed, but have the deputy manger's word that she will personally call me within 2 days with possible appointment dates.So I guess that's sort of getting there.
Finally, I ran an India-themed night at Brownies. I'd planned to get them decorating their hands henna-style, they played an elephant version of Beetle!, and I also had some samosa and bhajis for them to try. I wanted to get some gelabi or other India sweets for them to try as well, and by happy coincidence drove past a street near the clinic which was almost like a street in India; complete with India banks. I went into a lovely restaurant/ sweet shop and the man in there was really helpful and friendly. He let me try anything and everything I wanted, made useful recommendations, and even gave me a discount. The food was amazing and he just reminded me so much of the way people interact in India that I am once again very excited. I think the brownies enjoyed it as well.
That's all for today, quite glad I've finally started to tick some things off the list.
Philippa
