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Caption: Cousin Mariah’s photo as we embark on our adventure. Thanks to Mariah for driving us in!

I write this as we wait for our plane to Dubai and then Mumbai. Many people have asked us what we’re looking forward to and what we expect to experience.

Here are some thoughts:

Megan: “I’m looking forward to getting to know Nachiket and Shilpa (my cousins in Pune), meet new people, and live in a new country.”

Parag: “I’m looking forward to the food and connecting with family I already have and friends I have yet to make. I’m also excited to see India through my family’s eyes.”

Acadia: “I’m looking forward to school and making friends!”

Alexandria: “I’m excited to learn more about the culture and learn more Marathi and just the new everything!”

Last night, I called the Taxi company we’re using once we get to Mumbai Intl. Airport to travel to our ultimate destination – Pune. To check on the reservation, in Marathi, they asked me my name. I said it in the Marathi way and didn’t bother to spell it – a new experience for me. The cab company representative just moved right on to the other details of the reservation as if I had just said “Fred Jones” in the U.S. This trip has already been interesting.

-Parag