2018 is bearing down on us and with it, happily, comes another adventure. This year I’m headed for India. For me India has an exotic ring to it that conjures images of vibrant colour, delicious food, the Taj Mahal, mesmerizing dance, incense, and transcendental yoga. I realize that for many, the ring falls flat. Probably on account of the poverty, the noise, the smell, the sheer quantity of people, the caste system, and the chaos. But one way or another, for better or worse, India is legendary. I may not embrace it all but I will experience it.
My dear long standing friend Huguette Long is coming with me. We fly out of Ottawa on January 9th and return March 7th. She has never travelled ‘my way’ before and at the beginning she was hesitant. She knows me well and wanted reassurance that I wouldn’t subject her to sleeping in gutters. She has always liked her comfy bed and her strong morning coffee hot and with cream, but she is ready and eager for a great new adventure (gutters and all). We will spend four days in London, England en route (extending the layover) before landing into the maelstrom and smog of New Delhi. We won’t dally there. My aversion to cities notwithstanding, the air quality in New Delhi is, at the moment, scary bad. Our thought is to head to the desert province of Rajesthan before working our way south. India is huge with many rich and diverse cultures! Bound by the Himalayas in the north and extending south where it tapers to the Indian Ocean in the east, and the Arabian Sea to the west, it covers an area of 32,87,263 square kilometres.
As always, I look forward to sharing the adventure and I will spare you nothing – not the grandeur, nor the grunge. I’ve gleaned from those who have been that you either fall in love with India or you hate it. I guess we’ll see. Whether this trip glides along with the gentle flow of a merry go round or is punctuated with the heart skipping adrenaline of a roller coaster, I hope you enjoy the ride.
Have a happy, healthy and safe holiday season,
Arlene
The Flip Side of Fifty 
Well best wishes on your next adventure Arlene.You never cease to amaze me with your courage.. We will be looking forward to your blogs. Take care and have a wonderful trip. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Love, Pauline & Clint
P.S. Keep safe. xo
It’s great to hear from you Pauline. Thank you ! I’ve been thinking of you guys. Say hi to everyone for me and happy holidays. Lots of hugs, Arlene.
I am so excited for you! May your ride be thrilling, filled with spicy aromas, bright colours of silks and food, and a deeper sense of spirituality and meaning. I am looking forward to hearing your stories. I hope a book is in your near
future! Safe travels!
Love you,
Annxoxo
Thanks so much Annie. I hope to see you soon. Lots of hugs, Arlene. Xo
Arlene , sending love and Christmas wishes your way. I pray you have safe and inspiring travels as you venture off to your next adventure. looking forward to your stories and pictures!
Lots of love, Shelley xoxo
Thanks so much Shelley. I really appreciate your life and good wishes. Have a wonderful holiday. Lots of hugs, Arlene
“May Angels fly with you wherever you roam, and guide you back safely to family and home.” (and friends)
Have fun Arlene!
Love the Carroll’s
Thanks Erin!
I will carry that lovely saying with me. You folks have a wonderful Christmas season
Arlene
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Have a wonderful fun but safe trip my dear friend. We look forward to your updates. Have a lovely Xmas with the fam before you go. We have 4 days before our Xmas adventure begins. Our wee Izzi was struggling with a b12 def and anemia but on upswing now. See you in March. Love ya.
Hi sherry, thanks you. How exciting! You folks have a wonderful and safe trip. Hope little Izzy continues to recover and all is well. I’ll look forward to seeing you in March. Lots of love to you and have a wonderful Christmas season with your family. Life Arlene
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On Dec 13, 2017, at 11:41 AM, The Flip Side of Fifty <comment-reply@wordpress.com> wrote
Wishing you and Huguette an amazing time and look forward to your blogs. Have a wonderful, safe and happy Christmas and the best of health and happiness to you and your family in 2018.
Hugs
Nancy xo
Thanks Nancy! You as well. Look forward to getting together soon my dear friend. Hope you are healing well.
Love and hugs,
Arlene
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Sounds fabulous! Spent about three weeks there back in the nineties – it was fascinating… I think you will love it… have a wonderful, restful Christmas – see you in May… Jim and Jan
Thanks guys. T
Another adventure enjoy. Be safe ,looking fwd to hearing about your latest adventures.
Thanks Bill. I’ll keep you posted. 🙂
Ok I am ready to go with you on adventure !!! You should be on the plane or close to boarding? Safe journey to England today/tonight. Mike happens to be too until Thursday on business ! I can’t wait to hear about the first day of landing onto adventurous terrain. Good luck and GOD SPEED xo
I am writing this 7 pm on Jan. 9th. it is showing up I guess UK time….interesting.
Thank so much Helen. I’ll keep you posted