How I did it: I planned for a very long time.  I had intended to go over and volunteer for an amount of time and then travel around, but I couldn't really find a volunteer program that I thought fit and that I didn't think was somewhat taking advantage of me, as they're all so expensive.  (If you're looking to volunteer look at wwoof.org - Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, they usually provide food and lodging for free in exchange for work on an organic farm in almost any country you could want) So I booked a two week tour through G.A.P. Adventures as I was traveling alone for the first time as a 20 year old girl in a country I had never been to so the tour made my mother happy.  And, then, with the fantastic planning and plotting I had done I left.  Got in my plane (well not the plane I had intended to go in) and flew there in a whirlwind of delicious indian food and sleep and movies.  I did the tour and then was set free, which I must say provides a better experience, but it was a hard trip, but worth every second.

Lessons & tips:

• PLAN.  Although, it will never prepare you for what you're getting yourself into.

Resources:

• Lonely Planet, or any other guide book.

Mar 05, 2009, 12:04AM PST | 2 comments | 19 cheers