Why are you going?

For the gastrointestinal distress, obviously.

No, seriously. I have had a lot of people ask me, "Why are you going to India?" I am not even sure of the whole answer yet, but I can share a little context to start.

Some people know that my life took a couple significant detours this summer. First, Mary and I decided to separate. It has been the saddest event of my life, but this is not the place to share those details. She is the kindest person I know and the best mom that Kate could have. Second, I resigned from my role as Superintendent of Schools in July. I loved the work and the people but circumstances over the summer made it all but impossible for me to lead effectively.

I suddenly had time on my hands with no job. I knew I wanted to take a trip. But where?

At first I thought about Copenhagen. Sounds great, right? Coffee and a croissant by a canal. Mmmmmm. Copenhagen would be safe and comforting, but that is not what I am looking for. Leaving my job was a professional shock and the ending of my marriage was a personal one, only a thousand times bigger. Its been like getting torn in half, and then looking down and realizing, despite the pain, that I am still alive.

Since I am still alive, I decided I need to finish the job. I have had a professional shock and did not die. I am going through a personal shock and have not died. Now it is time for a spiritual and cultural shock.

I am pretty confident that I won't die. How bad could the GI distress really be?

You are going where?

In 10 days I am headed down to Logan Airport to start my trip to India. I am going to the city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. When I tell people about my plan, I usually get a look that says, "You are going where?"

Varanasi is huge city (2.5 million people) in the northeast part of India. I tell people it is close to Nepal - kind of like we might tell someone from India that Boston is "close" to Nova Scotia. All things are relative, right? 

It is also really really old. People have been living in this city on the banks of the Ganges for thousands of years. In a way it is like Mecca or Jerusalem because all Hindus should go to Varanasi sometime before they die. It is also kind of like Athens, if the Parthenon and the public markets were still in use. 

I cannot wait.