A Series of Unfortunate Events

There has been a change in plans in my India itinerary. We got news in global studies this morning that there has been a series of fatal and religiously motivated terrorist attacks over the last two days in the holy Hindu city of Varanasi, India. As I posted previously, I was planning on going on a trip to this city to see the Ganges River and the ancient Hindu traditions. The on board field office has been working closely with the SAS Pittsburgh offices and the State Department all day to determine how this incidence will affect the trips scheduled. Rumors were flying back and forth about the possibility of them canceling India all together, or the cancellation of all the trips to Varanasi and the Taj Mahal. SAS will absolutely not compromise our safety for any reason. They announced at tonight’s pre-port that, as we all suspected, the Varanasi portion of my trip has been cancelled. I had decided earlier today that if they cancelled my SAS trip, I would try to go independently. My visit to Varanasi was what I was really looking forward this semester. Unfortunately, going independently is not even an option because the entire city is shut down to tourism and is under high terrorist alert. SAS has also banned us for going. I cannot even express my disappointment right now. I knew coming into this trip that flexibility would be a must. There are some things in the world that are just out of our control and we should be grateful that nobody on the ship is hurt or was in India during these attacks. The field office has told us that we will be going to Delhi for two days instead of Varanasi. I can’t say that any of us on the trip really have a huge desire to go to Delhi for two days, but we are making the best of the situation. A couple of my friends and I are hoping to be able to go to another city for one of the days independently. Regardless of what the trip turns out to be, I know that we will have the adventure of a lifetime.

I feel like the anticipation of getting to India tomorrow morning has just been building and building. All day the crew has been lining the hallways and stairways with cardboard and plastic to protect it from dirt and keep the ship sanitary. Our logistical pre-port meeting was pretty intense, with lots of details and safety concerns that needed to be discussed. We were told that the immigrations and clearing of the ship will be complicated and lengthy for both our arrival and departure from Chennai. The list of health concerns and risks we were given seems to go on for days. Nobody is allowed off the ship without closed toed-shoes on. We aren’t even supposed to wear flip-flops on the ship while we are in port. The current temperature in Chennai is in the 90s with a 60% humidity! My friends and I just got done playing drinking games for two hours…with water! We are determined to start out the week hydrated. I have never had so much sober fun in my life! Since I have had some time to get over the initial disappointment of missing Varanasi, I have to say that I am absolutely stoked for India. I know that I am going to have a great time no matter where I go. India is supposed to be one of the most culturally stimulating and diverse places that we will be visiting. Pray for safety and no traveler’s diarrhea!

Status Report:
Very close to India!