be prepared

thats the scout motto. and it never became more important than now, when one has no idea of what to do and how, what to wear, the method, the activity, the expectations of before and after. read on to find out some questions that crossed my mind when i tried out new stuff. and apart from that maybe one of the things you could do before trying out something new is to, Google it.

sailing: how big is the boat? like the ferries between colaba and elephanta caves? or like those Yatches in movies? what should i wear - is it going to be cold or hot or sunny or rainy? (out in the sea it could be anything - it could be sunny, but the windy chilling you to the bone) how long will we be on the boat? will they train us on what to do? where and how will they tell us? do i need to know how to swim - what are the chances of me getting wet, falling into the water? (they did give us a training session in a classroom, with diagrams drawn on the board)

salsa club: how is is organised? do we stand in queues and wait for our turn? do we dance on a stage? what about the music, can i choose it? what about partners, do i need to stand in a particular place? what if no one asks me to dance? what if someone DOES ask me to dance!?

skiing: what do i need to wear? how many layers? will trackpants suffice? will the snow make my clothes wet? (my classmate lent me her ski wardrobe, its was a lot and i am so thankful she did. i looked like a transformer and have to admit i would have frozen without all that.) do i need to wear shoes ski shoes? how do the ski shoes fit me, when and where do i get them from? do i take a bag with me? waterbottle? what about food? do i change at the hotel or later, and if later then where? what is a ski lift for - do i need to send the skis somewhere?

paint-ball: again, what do i wear? is the paint washable? from my face? how long is it for? how do i know how to use the gun? will there be a first-aid box? these balls have paint and they hurt? why? even from on top of these army overalls?

bowling: why do i need to change my shoes? (they didn't show that in the movies) what's so tough about throwing a ball in a lane? why cant i just use any ball? (i soon found out the weight and size aspects. apparently there is a lot more science in these games than one would think)

horse-riding: i do know what clothes to wear and the wind is probably going to be chilly too, but why are you carrying boots? and why do you need special trousers of a specific fabric? if we go riding into the forest, how will we find our way back? how would i get a chance to gallop if we are riding between trees? and what if the horse gets hungry?

scuba diving: this looks like a shop selling wetsuits, where is the training center for scuba diving? dont they have a classroom to train us and give instructions? and the swimming pool to simulate the water pressure conditions? what about the changing room where i am supposed to put on my bathing suit first? (turned out to be a toilet) so we go to the boat without training? do i need sunscreen? why is this guy teaching me sign language, will i not be able to talk to the instructor? will i not be able to see his face or follow him where he goes? how do i know where to go and how to come back? what does he mean release the water from the goggles, will the water not attack up my nose if i do that? how do i call out if i need help? and i like the fins and the suit and everything, but why is he not giving me my oxygen tank?!

roller blading: do i need shoes inside? protective padding? where are the brakes? do i need brakes now, when i didn't need them in skates? how badly will i fall? how do i stand? ok, i am on the floor now, how do i get up? how do i turn?

then there are broader activities that i learned and are now a part of everyday life.

going to the beach: you may not even touch the water, the towel will remain dry, people in swimsuits may not even swim, but are are here to get a tan. a tan means a flush of pink of the cheeks to start with and for super white people maybe at most a shade of ochre or golden. and not being able to have a tan, could actually be sad because it makes them look like a ghost and not be able to wear white clothes. white matches brown shorts here btw, and not blue jeans.

google mapping: lo behold, you can not only figure out how to get to a place without asking anyone, but also you can get the best way to get there using public transport, an estimate of time to taken to arrive and the exact schedule of the buses and metros to take. people like me can still get lost, but thats a different matter.

technology - bb, skype, streaming movies and matches on internet thats faster than your imagination. apple devices and the convenience of it all and the widespread google technology.

partying - first you learn to stay up, then mastering drinking - be it coke or not and be it social or not, then identifying some aspects of music - the percussion instruments, the beat which fits into your heartbeat, the rhythm, the way it asks you to dance in a particular way, and of course dressing up and accessorising to fit into the crowd of party hoppers. finally be able to decode the feeling of i want to go clubbing tonight.

travelling - be it a road trip, flying, backpacking - its all about compressing your world into bag. and establishing a routine for your day when you get up, have a sumptuous breakfast and spend the day walking to explore a city.

mba events - spring games, dgdw, multi culti - effort behind putting it all together. why does it take a team of 5 people 15 days to put together a fete of food and drinks of 45 nationalities. or why a conference of some group discussions and lectures, takes a year to organise. or why a sports day can turn into as big as an olympic event with another year of preparation going in.

so go out and explore, you may or may not be prepared enough. in the end its the fun you had that counts!