I plan to wear Indian dress much more than I have in the past. But when I look at the clothes I plan to take, the good old pants and tops look the most comfortable and practical. The weather forecast is for continuing sunny and hot and dusty days ahead. I have several nice outfits for evening/dinner, but am not excited about wearing any of them during the day especially since a dupatta (scarf) is part of the outfit. Margaret plans to get off the plane wearing Indian dress. Indian people really are pleased to see Westerners in their national dress, so I'll do my best.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Sometimes Things Aren't So Hard
Whew. For some reason I thought there was a big issue getting into my blog account since I changed my e mail address. Apparently not, and I can keep using my old address for the blog.
Less than three weeks to trip time. We had a Pre Trip Workshop for our guests where we served Indian snacks (samosas) and dessert (kheer.) The first half of the evening was a quickie review of the history of India, which we covered in an hour. When I say quickie, I mean it. The second half was directly related to the trip. the itinerary, what to wear and bring, cultural tips, reading suggestions, etc.
Our guests had a chance to meet one another and us in an informal, stress free setting. Being able to host this is one advantage of having a small group from the same geographical area. And it is a value added feature of India Journey with Grace Inc. that no other tour company offers.
We had hoped to be able to sell travel insurance, however issues with New York State are holding up the licensing process. So we can do that next year. Our Business Plan is complete, and projections for the future of our company positive. Now all we have to do is help our guests have the journey of a lifetime.
Less than three weeks to trip time. We had a Pre Trip Workshop for our guests where we served Indian snacks (samosas) and dessert (kheer.) The first half of the evening was a quickie review of the history of India, which we covered in an hour. When I say quickie, I mean it. The second half was directly related to the trip. the itinerary, what to wear and bring, cultural tips, reading suggestions, etc.
Our guests had a chance to meet one another and us in an informal, stress free setting. Being able to host this is one advantage of having a small group from the same geographical area. And it is a value added feature of India Journey with Grace Inc. that no other tour company offers.
We had hoped to be able to sell travel insurance, however issues with New York State are holding up the licensing process. So we can do that next year. Our Business Plan is complete, and projections for the future of our company positive. Now all we have to do is help our guests have the journey of a lifetime.
Friday, August 5, 2011
The Business Plan
Today I met with an advisor from Stony Brook University Small Business Development. I have known all along that I should have written a business plan. But I did not do that and characteristically jumped into this business full of enthusiasm and confidence. Now the enthusiasm will be tempered with facts and we will have a much better idea of what we will have to invest in time, talents and money as we go forward. I am committed to having the Plan pretty much completed in time for my next meeting in one week.
On the plus side are the components we have put into place; the website www.indiajourneywithgrace.com, our business cards and brochures. We are pleased with our legal and accounting advisors and the fact that we have been incorporated. All in all, we think we are in a good place and await the information a realistic plan will provide.
On the plus side are the components we have put into place; the website www.indiajourneywithgrace.com, our business cards and brochures. We are pleased with our legal and accounting advisors and the fact that we have been incorporated. All in all, we think we are in a good place and await the information a realistic plan will provide.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Reservations, Please
We are now taking reservations for our inaugural trip and firming up plans for lectures and workshops. So far three travelers are booked and we will assemble information needed to confirm hotel and air reservations.
Our group, although small at this time, looks to be simpatico and fun.
Our group, although small at this time, looks to be simpatico and fun.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
India Journey with Grace Inc.
It seems like a very long road from deciding to start our company until now. As of today the web site is up and running, we have new business cards, our itinerary is fabulous and looks it, and our brochures give a good idea of what we are about.
Today we were scheduled to briefly thank the Prebytery of Long Island for their support of our India trip of 2010 when we represented PCUSA at the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Church of North India. It was during that trip that the idea of India Journey with Grace was conceived. We have much to be thankful for.
We are grateful to everyone who has helped us along the way; lawyers, accountants, travel insurance specialists, contacts in India, and most especially web designers Richard and Phoebe Maddrell of Vitalis UK, and Joani Madarash of Access Linx.
I do hope to get many visitors to our website, IndiaJourneywithGrace.com
Our first trip is scheduled from October 14th through the 30th, 2011. It is not too late to sign up.
Today we were scheduled to briefly thank the Prebytery of Long Island for their support of our India trip of 2010 when we represented PCUSA at the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Church of North India. It was during that trip that the idea of India Journey with Grace was conceived. We have much to be thankful for.
We are grateful to everyone who has helped us along the way; lawyers, accountants, travel insurance specialists, contacts in India, and most especially web designers Richard and Phoebe Maddrell of Vitalis UK, and Joani Madarash of Access Linx.
I do hope to get many visitors to our website, IndiaJourneywithGrace.com
Our first trip is scheduled from October 14th through the 30th, 2011. It is not too late to sign up.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Why India?
Margaret Cook and I are partners in this venture; each of us bringing our extensive backgrounds and love of India to India Journey with Grace Inc. Our website is under construction, meetings have been held with lawyers, accountants and bankers and we are well on our way to putting into place those unique experiences that will make ours an experience to be treasured.
We get a lot of different reactions when we talk to people about going to India. The range from "I would never go to India." to "When do we leave?"
So why India?
India is REALLY different - culture, food, history, religions, customs- it stretches the mind.
Elephants walking along a road with trucks, buses, bicycles, rickshaws, tuk tuks, donkeys, cows, cars and motorbikes give new meaning to the word "traffic".
Women working in fields, besides rivers and on construction sites wearing colorful saris and moving with grace and ease gives a different slant on women's liberation.
Worshipers in temples, mosques and churches expressing their faith in the ultimate goodness of God in unique ways.
Food prepared with a palette of herbs and spices to delight your senses.
Music and dance from a tradition stretching back thousands of years and colorful Bollywood movies reflecting the challenges faced by modern Indians.
Beauty all around, in people, in crafts, in architecture, in the land.
And yes, there is poverty - not always hidden and sometimes in juxtaposition to great wealth. And there is often an acceptance of the vicissitudes of life that makes it seem less onerous. There is injustice and a fight for the rights of all people. Struggles we as Americans can relate to.
So why India?
When I am in India I smile outside and inside.
Maybe you would too.
We get a lot of different reactions when we talk to people about going to India. The range from "I would never go to India." to "When do we leave?"
So why India?
India is REALLY different - culture, food, history, religions, customs- it stretches the mind.
Elephants walking along a road with trucks, buses, bicycles, rickshaws, tuk tuks, donkeys, cows, cars and motorbikes give new meaning to the word "traffic".
Women working in fields, besides rivers and on construction sites wearing colorful saris and moving with grace and ease gives a different slant on women's liberation.
Worshipers in temples, mosques and churches expressing their faith in the ultimate goodness of God in unique ways.
Food prepared with a palette of herbs and spices to delight your senses.
Music and dance from a tradition stretching back thousands of years and colorful Bollywood movies reflecting the challenges faced by modern Indians.
Beauty all around, in people, in crafts, in architecture, in the land.
And yes, there is poverty - not always hidden and sometimes in juxtaposition to great wealth. And there is often an acceptance of the vicissitudes of life that makes it seem less onerous. There is injustice and a fight for the rights of all people. Struggles we as Americans can relate to.
So why India?
When I am in India I smile outside and inside.
Maybe you would too.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
India Journey with Grace goes Corporate
Toward the end of our trip I had one of those Aha! moments and I knew what I needed to do. I want to keep bringing people to India to share my own passion and hopefully infect them. I believe that peacemaking happens one person at a time and that by meeting the unfamiliar, understanding and acceptance are likely to follow.
India Journey with Grace is being incorporated so we (Margaret Cook and I) can bring more people to India in a responsible, safe and fun way.
Yesterday was a banner day in the life of our baby company. With the help of Attys Joseph Sforrazza and Edward Frey, an old friend and husband of a high school girlfriend, we now have our EIN# and URL reservations. And lots of work to do.
Our October, 2011 trip is planned for October 14 to return on the 30th. We are working on the itinerary and expect it to include New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, Darjeeling and a Tiger Park. We are planning encounters with Indian culture which will punctuate our days.
India Journey with Grace is being incorporated so we (Margaret Cook and I) can bring more people to India in a responsible, safe and fun way.
Yesterday was a banner day in the life of our baby company. With the help of Attys Joseph Sforrazza and Edward Frey, an old friend and husband of a high school girlfriend, we now have our EIN# and URL reservations. And lots of work to do.
Our October, 2011 trip is planned for October 14 to return on the 30th. We are working on the itinerary and expect it to include New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, Darjeeling and a Tiger Park. We are planning encounters with Indian culture which will punctuate our days.
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