Cautionary Messages – Trepidation or Excitement?

“Don’t drink the water – don’t even brush your teeth with it unless it’s from a bottle!”

“It’s a very dirty city, and you’ll see signs of abject poverty every time you step outside your hotel!”

These were just two of a multitude of cautionary messages that came our way when we started talking about a trip to Kolkata in India.

Sure, there were also positive messages –you’ll love the food, the people are great, and it’s a city of complexities and contrasts… though admittedly that last one could be either positive or cautionary, depending on your interpretation.

So, it was with a little trepidation that I settled into my cramped airline seat on the long flight from Cape Town to Dubai on our first leg of our trip to Kolkata.

A little trepidation… and a whole lot of excitement!

I know that part of the anxiety about traveling to a new place is the uncertainty of what you’re going to find when you get there. But, for me, that’s what creates the excitement – the potential, the not-knowing, and the opportunity of discovering new places, experiencing new cultures and learning about different experiences.

Which is why excitement will always win out over trepidation for me.

As the plane taxied down the runway, I settled back sure in the knowledge that I was in for another grand adventure.

I hope you’ll join me as my journey to Kolkata unfolds. I’ll share my experiences, my thoughts, a few of the places we visited, and my version of the reality we discovered about those cautionary statements from friends and family.

So, buckle up and let’s go – Kolkata’s waiting!!