Getting ready to go

 

The dogs attend my packing.  Notice stuff everywhere and open drawers.

 

Ah ha!  I am starting the serious business of not just organizing but actually getting ready to go to India.

Did I tell you?  I am returning to Varanasi to do an artist’s residency at the Kriti Gallery.  I’ll tell you about my project later, but right now, suffice it to say, there is STUFF all over my bedroom.  One would think I have this all figured out, eh?  Oh well!  Every adventure is a new one, with its own requirements. Yup!

 

 

PREPARATIONS

I seriously do not like being cold. So I wonder if perhaps this is not a stupid endeavor.

Weighing it all out, I trust that if I do diligence and prepare adequately, I will be able to enjoy this adventure. After all it does get cold here in the Klamath Basin.  Last winter was sub zero for quite a while, and I fared OK.  I have actually been colder in 40º weather in Point Reyes, where there is significant moisture in the air.  I imagine the Tibetan plateau to be quite dry at 12,000 feet.  Fingers crossed…in my mittens!

I have been online for weeks trying to ascertain the best clothing for the trip.  I have finally settled on an LL Bean -55 coat.  This is for starters.  I ordered a large, but then realized I will need room for layers, so soon I will be the proud owner of this fabulous and, hopefully, toasty, XL coat. Screen Shot 2014-11-16 at 4.53.55 PMI plan on living in silk long johns, some kind of turtleneck, my camelhair sweater and this!

I also purchased some down mittens, but have learned that wool might be better, with waterproof covers.  Especially boiled wool. That said,  I will test my down mittens and hopefully the exterior material is waterproof enough to be effective.

The BEST thing I have gotten is my STORMY ROMER rancher’s cap.  This is a wool baseball-style hat from the Upper Peninsula (Michigan)with padding and ear flaps.  I love it. It might be too bulky to travel with…but, it is so perfect that I could be a sales person!

 

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Next will be an exploration of the best trousers.