Chock Full 'O Pictures

So I know, I didn't give you a good visual view of India. The Indian customs agents really messed me up keeping my camera for over a month! The camera I borrowed wasn't always reliable, so it has only been the last few days that I got to take a lot of pictures. So here are the pictorial highlights of my trip... Enjoy!

Here is me after being made up by some Indian friends. The dot on my head is a bindi, and for some reason it is unbelievably attractive to Indian men. People couldn't stop talking about how good it looked, and I was told that if I could just dye my hair darker I would almost look Indian. I'll take that as a compliment.

One of the things I have noticed a lot here is that people will often avoid cutting down trees by building around them. I've seen dozens of trees going through a house, but this is the only example I've seen of a road being built around a tree. It seems a little dangerous to me considering how crazy the driving here is already, but no one here seemed to think a thing about it.

I think the construction here has probably not changed for the last hundred years or more. You never see any modern equipment, it is just wooden scaffolding, pulleys, and people climbing all over the place with no safety precautions. Here is a woman carrying a bowl of rocks to the workers. I don't envy the worker women, but I do have to be impressed with the strength of their necks!





This is the type of place most of the construction workers will live. It is rather shocking to see so much of this type of poverty living in the midst of everything else, but Indians are proud of the fact that their poorest live next door to their richest. The saddest thing to see is the small children living in these conditions...







On a happier note, I went with the Director of Global Operations for our company to the store where our COO buys all of his rugs. This rug is handmade of silk by a family in Kashmir. It took about 5 years to make it, and I was told in the US it would sell for over $100,000. It is sold here for the bargain price of $20,000. The picture doesn't even begin to capture how gorgeous it was, and the colors looked completely different from every angle. It felt amazing too, I was able to walk on it in my bare feet. Someday I'll win the lottery and come back and buy it.

I went to a temple with my friend Rohit and his wife. This is the outside. All of the detail is hand carved, and it was amazing. There are temples all over the place here, but this is one of the biggest I've seen.

This picture was taken just inside the temple. This is as far as I was allowed to take pictures, but I did go through the whole thing. I got a red dot on my head, and then got blessed by a priest who gave me a banana (probably to pay me back for the one I gave to the elephant at the other temple I visited a few weeks ago.) Afterwards another monk gave me some sort of orange sweet slimy stuff that is supposed to be a good treat to eat after getting your karma cleansed. I don't know how clean my karma got, but I did enjoy the treat.

We were at the temple right as the sun was setting, so on the way out I got this picture as the lights came on and the sky was turning pink. This is the same tower in the picture above. It was a very peaceful and beautiful place.

At long last, here is the elephant I fed! This was at a different temple, the night before a holiday. Notice he has on a big gold necklace. I have noticed that when it comes to Hindu gods bling is very important. This was the only picture I took of the elephant, because the flash did seem to startle him a bit. I didn't really want to be on CNN with another story about a elephants gone wild...

Now for the story so many of you have been waiting for... the DRUNK WILD MONKEYS!!!! When I went to visit my friend Ravi, he pointed out that his neighbor had a little side business going by putting pots at the top of his coconut tree. I don't understand the physics of it, but somehow it collects some sort of sap that ferments and creates a liquor. He climbs the tree to collect it every day... So while I was there a couple monkeys made their way up the tree. The man and his family stood under the tree throwing coconuts up at the monkeys to get them out of the tree, but they just threw things back at them. Soon, the man decided to climb the tree to try to scare the monkeys away. This just made the monkeys jump to the next tree where they found the pot the man was trying to protect. After a few dips in the pot, the monkeys were jumping around even more and starting to yell and go crazy. At this point, we were all standing on the roof of Ravi's house watching... But then the monkeys jumped on to the tree right next to the house, and everyone frantically ran inside. Apparently they were close to jumping onto the roof with us, and drunk wild monkeys are not something you really want to mess with. Thus endeth the story of the drunk wild monkeys... but lest you think I am making this up, here is the photographic evidence...

This is how the man climbs the tree. Honestly, this just impressed the hell out of me. He obviously had no harness or anything... Just a strap and his bare feet.

Here is one monkey drinking from the pot. You can tell he is enjoying it I think....

Here is another monkey making his way over to find out what all the fuss is about... They really are cute aren't they? It would be fun to live where you could at any moment happen to see a monkey out the window... The only place that could happen in the US is at Michael Jackson's house or a zoo... not that there is much difference...







So I hope this handful of pictures was worth the wait. It is so hard to really capture this country in pictures, it is more about sounds and smells and experiences...

Happy Easter Weekend!

I can't believe it is my last weekend here! I know I haven't updated very often, and I do feel bad about that. Truthfully, I have to say that the amount of times I updated was actually tied to my happiness here. When I was completely freaked out and trying to cheer myself up, I was posting more. Once I started having fun and realized that I was really loving it here, I didn't post as much. Sorry that those of you who like reading my ramblings missed out...

So yes, I do love it here. It definitely took some getting used to, but now I can really see the beauty of the people and the place. Yes, there are some smells that should not be encountered by human noses. Yes, there is overwhelming poverty like I've never seen before. But there are also incredibly wonderful people. There are bright colors everywhere. There are times when you walk outside and can only smell flowers and incense and can forget about the smell of the sewage filled river up the street.

So now I am really sad to be leaving. I'm not saying I'd like to live here forever... but I definitely wish I knew for sure if I am going to be coming back. It is a country that is such an interesting mix of the future and the past. I don't know of anyplace else that I could see a cart being pulled by an ox walking along a crowded street full of motorcycles and buses and rickshaws and stray cows.

I'm about to do another post full of my usual funny observations and pictures, I just wanted to put a little bit in about how I'm feeling at the moment. I guess that giving up the US for Lent was the right thing to do.

Short Update

So I'm not alone in my apartment anymore. I've been joined by 3 more Americans, so now every bedroom in my apartment is filled. To make things really fun for me, I have been joined by 2 directors and a VP. That means I am basically living with my boss' boss' boss. So not at all strange for me. I do plan on trying to work this into a big huge raise... but we'll see what happens.

I do have more pictures to share, but I haven't had a chance to really sit and go through and type up explanations for everything. But let me whet your appetite with one little tidbit... I have pictures of DRUNK WILD MONKEYS!!! I swear! How crazy is that? I also fed bananas to an elephant outside a Hindu temple. So in theory I was feeding bananas to a god. In all my years going to church I never got to feed bananas to God in the parking lot... this country is so cool!

So I'm guessing that everyone is just as shocked as I was with India's loss to Bangladesh in the first match of the World Cup? There is nothing in the US to compare to the insanity that surrounds cricket here. The captain of the cricket team is having a new house built, and crazed crowds went and TORE HIS HOUSE DOWN! For losing one game. They aren't even out of the World Cup. They did win the second match with the highest point total ever in a World Cup match. So as long as they win Friday night against Sri Lanka they will get into the Super Eight and still have a chance to win the World Cup.

Pakistan though is a whole other story... they lost 2 games so they are completely out of it. It was a huge shock because they were supposed to have a good chance to win. So the next morning their coach was found dead in his hotel room. Dead. It was a big question mark at first but now they have announced that it does appear to be homicide. So the lesson here is you don't want to be the coach of a World Cup Cricket team in this part of the world. In case you were thinking about that as a potential job option... forget it.

I've tried to figure out the whole cricket thing just because it is so popular here. I watched part of the game on Monday night with a webpage listing all the rules of cricket in front of me, but I still didn't have much idea what was going on. The only thing I got was that if they hit what looks like a home run it gets 6 points. Also, those games are REALLY LONG! Eight hours per match. And people are glued to the TV the whole time. I watched an hour of it. More than long enough for me!

I know I haven't updated as much as I would have hoped, but I end up working a lot and then being really tired so I haven't. Sorry. It does mean that I don't have as much interesting to tell... work is work no matter where you are in the world. In some ways things seem pretty normal, and then I see a cow.

At long last I have some pictures to share! I am going to start with pictures of my apartment. Later I'll post some pictures of my day yesterday when I went to a friend's house and saw what life is like for a typical Indian family.




Here is my bedroom. You can see my bathroom off to the side. The air conditioner doesn't give much choice between ice cold and off. I end up opting for ice cold and sleeping under lots of covers.







This is the dining room, pretty much the view when you walk in the front door. My bedroom is through the door straight ahead and you can see a bit of the kitchen under the stairs. Upstairs is a sitting area and another bedroom.









This is the kitchen. I've got a microwave, and you can see my big jar of peanut butter I brought from home. I don't really cook here, but I like having snacks around.











Here is the living room. You can see the TV which is always a good thing to have, and the couch where I am usually sitting with my laptop. There is a balcony behind the curtains, but I usually keep the doors closed to keep the noise and bugs out.








This is a view from the balcony off the living room. These men were taking a bunch of branches to a building project across the street. I'm not sure exactly what they did with them, but it looked neat to have so much piled on to one bike. You can also see someone coming by on one of the motorcycles that are everywhere here.









This is the house across the street from me. I was told that the owner is a well known architect in this city. the whole top floor is an open area, it really is a beautiful house. This is known as one of the most posh areas in Bangalore, I am even lucky enough to have a famous ex-cricket player living next door!

I'm still here!

So I haven't posted much because I hate the fact that I can't show any pictures. Its so hard to describe everything here... I really want to be able to show it to everyone! A friend at work did let me borrow a camera, but he doesn't have the cord to load the pictures onto my computer, so I do have a few pictures now, but I can't show them to you. I am told every day that I should be getting my camera soon out of customs. A word to anyone who ever wants to send something to India... don't put a high value on it. If they think it is valuable, they will make you wait forever for it... Unfortunately I didn't learn that little hint until it was too late.

I've eaten all kinds of foods that I never thought I would like since I've been here, and I was really impressed with the fact that I had somehow managed to not fall victim to "Delhi Belly", but yesterday it hit me. I ate lunch at KFC, got a little American food back in me, and immediately regretted it. I think it was the fountain drink, it was the first time I drank something that wasn't out of a bottle. I felt better last night, but this morning was not pleasant. Luckily my doctor had given me an antibiotic to take in case of such a situation, and that did help. So I slept quite a bit today and didn't get much work done...

I know I've neglected to tell about a lot of things that I want to because I thought pictures would make it so much better, but let me go ahead and tell you the thing that has been hardest for me to get used to. (OK, one of the things.. I don't think I could pick just one thing.) One of the most popular forms of transportation is the motorcycle, because on a bike you can easily zip around all the cars and buses and autorickshaws that are taking up all of the road. Helmets are now required for those who are driving motorcycles, but not for anyone else on the bike. It is totally normal now for me to see a man driving his bike, a 3 year old sitting in front of him holding on to the handlebars as well, with his wife sitting sidesaddle on the back holding a baby. I'm glad that if they were to crash the dad would have his head protected as the family goes flying...

I feel I do have to admit now that I have ridden on the back of a bike now, and I did not have a helmet on. I figure when in Rome... I'm told that statistically it is the safest mode of transportation in this city. I don't know about that, but it is faster. I actually enjoyed it! Not that I want to buy a Harley when I get back to the States...

I went out to a nightclub this weekend, and it was very different than clubs back home. Would you believe that they stop serving alcohol at 11pm? Back home that is about the time people start going out! Everyone there was very nice, I did meet someone who works at a call center for Dell Financial and he kept telling me how nice it was to meet an American who wasn't irate. I assured him that most of us aren't that way...

One of the things I was curious about and have asked several people about is the whole arranged marriage thing. That is still very much alive and well here, but as the population becomes more educated and there are more and more young people getting jobs it is starting to sometimes change. In the office most of the people who are married were arranged marriages, but there are a couple who chose their own spouse. People ask me about getting married in America, and ask if parents ever "do the needful" to get their child a spouse. So, Mom and Dad, if you had just done the needful you would already be grandparents by now! I'm going to blame it all on you...

One new friend was telling me about the village where his grandparents live. To get there involves a 3 day train journey, and then a few hours in a 4x4. The village has no road, no phones, no running water, and no electricity. It boggles my mind to think that such places still exist! This country is such an amazing mixture of past and present and future.

Those of you that are part of the Bell family will be amused to know that the most popular local beer here is called Kingfisher! (That is the name of the small town in Oklahoma where my great-grandparents had a farm). It is very good stuff. The guy who started that brewery did so well with the beer that he also started Kingfisher airlines, one of the most popular low cost carriers here in India.

Its funny how normal being here is starting to seem. I am now used to having a private driver, a houseboy, and a 4 bedroom apartment all to myself! The first first couple of weeks I was pretty depressed and miserable, but now I am really starting to love it here. Not that I would want to live here forever, but I wouldn't mind visiting more often!

I know this has been kind of a random post, but I just had a lot of random things on my mind after sleeping most of the day. Tomorrow its back to the office... I hope everyone is doing well, I can't believe I'll be home in just under a month!

Welcome Carter Pierson Norton!

I still don't have my camera, but I am assured it will be through customs clearance soon. I guess I should have learned a little more about bribing public officials before I got here! I'll update more later about my India travels (and I have gotten out a little more lately), but I wanted to take this chance to welcome my brand new cousin to the world! Carter Pierson Norton was born at 4:03 pm on Thursday weighing in at 7lbs. I haven't seen pictures yet, but I am sure he is the most handsome baby boy ever born!

Carter, I'm sorry I won't get to meet you until you are already a month old, but I know that you will have plenty of attention from your parents, grandparents, great grandparents and aunts and uncles until I get there! I know you will have a wonderful life, and with such a distinguished name I am sure you will someday be President! Not that I want to pressure you too much on that... you have 35 years before you are even eligible to run... take your time and enjoy eating, sleeping, and getting your diaper changed in the meantime!

Yesterday I took my first ride in an autorickshaw to a restaurant with authentic Northern Indian food. There was pretty much nothing there I could eat, the waiter said they didn't have anything that wasn't exteremely spicy! But it was fun to watch everyone eat rice with gravy and spicy chicken stuff with their hands off of big banana leaves for plates. I ate a bowl of curd rice, and a couple bites of what was supposed to be the least spicy chicken there. It was more the experience that mattered... This weekend I should get out and about a little more so hopefully I'll have more to tell and maybe I'll finally be able to post pictures!

Just as a side note, on the way to work I saw a group of cows on the side of the road. One was apparently actually a bull as I saw it try to molest another cow as we were driving away. I'm guessing the circle of life is continuing even on the streets of Bangalore!

Second Weekend In India Is Over

I was hoping that this post would be the one where I could actually show pictures, but unfortunately my camera has still not joined me. It is in Bangalore, but FedEx still has it, they are probably taking pictures of boxes even as I write this. There is apparently something they need from me before it can clear customs, but I have no idea what it is. I'll have to call them tomorrow, hopefully I can post pictures soon!

I'd love to be able to say that I did all sorts of amazingly interesting things this weekend, but I hate to lie... This weekend was Holi, which is the festival of colors. It is a celebration of the beginning of spring and from what I could figure out it is somewhat like the madness that can go on with Mardi Gras. Basically people get drunk and start throwing different colors on each other. A couple guys from the office had planned on taking me out and about on Saturday, but we ended up just staying close the to the apartment as they were afraid of running into crazed mobs who would throw paint on us. I figured that if they wanted to stay away from the celebration, I did too. Especially after reading in the paper that often the colors people are throwing will have toxins in them...

So on Saturday Rohit and Ravi came and got me and we just went to a coffee shop and then to a jazz club type restaurant up the street from my apartment. It was at least further up the street than I had gone before, so I do at least feel like I did something this weekend... I guess it is just as well that I don't go anywhere memorable when I don't have a camera. For all of you who are scandalized that I haven't managed to go out and explore the wonders of the country I am visiting, I challenge you to come take a look at these streets and wander out into them by yourself. Its a totally different world...

The big news in Bangalore at the moment has to do with dogs. There are dogs EVERYWHERE in this city. While I've only seen 3 cows so far (2 on Saturday in the same place) I see dogs every time I open my eyes. (Not in my apartment obviously, but there are 2 living just outside the building). A couple years ago there was a big push to get rid of the dogs, but animal rights people got involved so the decision was made to capture dogs, give them a shot that would sterilize them, and then release them back to the streets. In theory, over time the population would begin to decline. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be working. A couple days ago a 4 year old boy died after he was mauled by 15 dogs. Now the city is planning on rounding up and killing all the dogs in the next month. You can imagine the arguments this is causing. I haven't seen any agressive dogs, but I don't exactly want to meet one either...

On a lighter note, the paper also had a story today about a village of 600 people here in India that has 33 pairs of twins! The village is obviously being studied by all sorts of geneticists as in a population of that size even 2 sets of twins would be rare. As the Godmother of twins I found that story to be very interesting...

But of course I'm sure everyone back in the States is talking about the upcoming Cricket World Cup! Only 9 days to go! Here in India it is about as exciting as the Quidditch World Cup. (For any muggles out there, imagine the excitement in Europe for the Football/Soccer World Cup). India has not won in 26 years, but expectations are high that this year's team could go all the way. The matches are taking place in the West Indies, so it will all be going on between 9pm and 3am India time. There are worries that there will be power outages during this time as so many tvs are turned on at a time when there is not usually much need for power. I tried to watch a few minutes of a Cricket match the other day but I just don't get it. I can't even begin to imagine how crazy this country would go if they were to win!

Hopefully I'll have my camera tomorrow, and then I promise to post pictures of my apartment. It isn't by any means what I would call a "luxury" apartment, but its not too bad. It is kind of lonely to be in a four bedroom apartment all alone, but since there is only one TV I can't say I would really want to share it!

I hope everyone had a good weekend and has a wonderful week! Enjoy your ability to take a hot shower and brush your teeth with tap water... I'll never take either of those for granted again!

How I Got Here Part Three

So when I left off my last post I had just brushed my teeth with the clove toothpaste. I decided that since I had about 5 hours before I needed to get ready to leave to go back to the airport it would be best if I could sleep for a little bit to start getting my body used to the fact that night and day had just been switched around. I requested a wakeup call for 6am and cuddled up in the bed to sleep. I had a couple of strange dreams and awoke sure that it must be almost 6. I then looked at the clock and realized I had only been asleep about an hour.

I was about as wide awake as I could be, so I knew sleeping was not going to be an option. I turned on the TV to see what I could find to watch to pass the time. (I wasn't about to walk onto the streets at 1am!) There was an interesting array of things on TV... I found a channel that just airs fashion shows and I decided I just don't get high fashion. I found Indian MTV and learned that they actually still show music videos all the time, unfortunately all the videos were for Hindi music and I didn't understand a word of it. I ended up watching CNN International and an episode of Friends for a few hours. The most amazing thing to me was I did not see one report on Anna Nicole Smith! I know when I was leaving Dallas I saw live coverage of her survivors in court, but for some reason the rest of the world doesn't seem to realize the importance of that case for the survival of humankind.

One alarming thing I did see on the TV was a public service announcement of "advance warning of sun outtage". I don't know about anyone else, but I hadn't heard anything about the chance that we could completely lose the sun for a period! That seems like something scientists would be pretty frightened about. After all, without the sun the whole global warming thing would go away... But as I watched I realized that the warning was about the chance that solar flares could interupt satellite signals and knock out TV stations. Too me that isn't so much a sun outtage as a TV outtage, but I guess that is where language differences come in...

When the sun finally came up I was able to see the garden out the window. It was very pretty, with palm trees and little statues. The air did look very hazy, it was obvious that the pollution is much worse than I've seen in even LA or New York. A new W Hotel was being built on the other side of the garden, it looked like it would be another unbelievably luxurious place. I then looked to the side and saw my first slum. What a real picture of what India is, people living in the worst poverty in the shadow of luxury hotels. I couldn't help thinking that what my company was paying for one night in this hotel would probably be enough to feed all those people for a year.

Finally it was time to check out of the hotel and head back ot the airport. I noticed that the hotel shuttle was a Toyota Corolla, it was almost like being in Mom's car -- if it had the steering wheel on the other side and a stick shift. Just like a little piece of home! In the light I was able to see much more of the city on the way to the airport, it was the strangest mix of shops, slums, hotels, and people that I've ever seen. I saw a bunch of kids in school uniforms walking past a guy riding a bike with a bunch of trays of eggs balanced on the back. Very surreal.

In the night I had repositioned things in my bags so I could check my new bag and just use my backpack as a carryon. I walked into the airport and was completely confused as to where to go. I finally found a checkin line for my airline and got to the front to check my bag only to be told I had to go get it x-rayed first. So walked back across the check in area to the x-ray line and had my bag scanned so I could go stand back in line again. When they scan the bag they then put zip ties through the zipper pulls, put a stamped sticker on the zipper so you will be able to tell if anyone opens it, and wrap it with a big plastic cord. It did make me feel like I didn't have to worry about anyone going through my bag while it was out of my sight. (Don't even mention to me that they could search my bag and then put the same safety measures back on, I like living in my dream world!)

On the way to the gate area I passed a "Hog Dog" stand, next to a Baskin Robbins.

Once I was finally checked in I moved on to the security check point. There was a long line waiting to go through, but I then noticed that there was a separate line for ladies. I figured I'd take advantage of being female and bypassed the line. I put my bag on the same x-ray machine as the men, but then went into a curtained off area to be frisked and scanned with a metal detector. I then emerged into the waiting area to board my flight. The waiting area was obviously just built up, it was very spacious, all marble and very pretty. There was a big flat screen tv showing a cricket match. I was really hungry and saw a couple stands selling food, but I was a little afraid of what it might be healthwise for me to try it so I decided to wait for breakfast on the plane.

Before boarding the plane I had to have my carry on xrayed again, and I made another visit to a curtained off area to be frisked and wanded before boarding a shuttle bus that would drive us to the plane. Jet Airways is one of the nicest of the Indian domestic airlines, so my first class seat there was very nice. Not as nice as the seat on the 777, but much more comfortable than most of my usual flights stuck back in coach! I was again presented with a menu of which nothing sounded good, so I asked for just the bread and croissants. I decided if I had no idea what the food was I probably didn't want to test it on my stomach this early in the trip. I probably looked pretty funny as I snatched croissants from the basket and scarfed them down like I hadn't eaten in weeks. They were really good though.

The flight to Bangalore took a little over an hour, and was pretty uneventful. When we landed I was interested to see where it looked like they were adding a new runway area. While men would smooth the wet concrete, there were women carrying the concrete from the mixing area to the construction area in baskets on their heads. Quite a mix of ancient and modern techniques!

I got off the plane and collected my bags and began to look for my driver, Murthy. I had been told that he would be waiting with a sign with my name on it. I walked out the door and was again confronted with about 100 men holding signs with different names on them. I walked to the end of the line and never saw my name. I stood at the end of the walkway for about 5 minutes hoping Murthy would find me, but I didn't see him. So rather than continue to be accosted by taxi drivers trying to help me I went back into the airport to call the manager of the office. I found a pay phone area. Basically it was a regular phone, but a person sat next to it with a timer and would tell you how much you owed after you hung up. I called Ratnesh and he advised that he would call Murthy and make sure he could seek me. (Seek me first is always my motto!) I waited about 15 minutes with no luck and called Ratnesh back. He advised that Murthy was waiting for me just outside... I had hoped he was coming in to find me, I didn't want to walk back outside again! Luckily as I walked to the door I saw a man arguing with the security guard trying to get in, and he was holding a sign with my name on it. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see anyone in my life!

He took me to his SUV, and it had a "Don't Mess with Texas" sticker on the back given to him from some of the previous workers from my office who had made their way over here. It was a nice piece of home. On the way to the apartment I saw my first Indian cow wandering the streets eating garbage. It was a pretty sad sight for something that is supposed to be sacred.

I've got to get off to work again now, I'll update tomorrow with details on the apartment and the office here. My parents shipped my camera off to me on Monday, and it is supposed to be here by tomorrow night so I can finally take pictures! On the Fed Ex tracking I can tell that my camera has made the journey from Irving to Memphis to Paris and is now in transit, I can't wait to see what kind of exciting places it heads to next!

How I Got Here Part Two

So when I left off my last post about my journey I was enjoying my last few American moments in NYC. But all too soon it was time to reboard the plane and enjoy(?) my longest ever flight... the 14 hour jump over to Mumbai (most of you probably still know it is as Bombay).

I was in the same seat I had been in for the trip to New York, but for the international portion they left at each seat a nice pillow, a pretty plaid blanket, and a little leather pouch full of goodies. The leather pouch contained bright red fuzzy socks to wear during the flight, an eye mask, ear plugs, a notepad and pen, a cucumber facial mist, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and a really nice chapstick type thing. Again the travel gods were watching out for me since I had forgotten to buy a travel toothpaste tube in New York to get me through the overnight. I immediately took off my shoes and put on my fuzzy socks and got ready enjoy the flight.

The person sitting next to me was also from Dallas and heading to India for business. He asked where I work and would you believe he actually knew what my company does?? The funny thing is he knew because he works for a competitor! I thought about asking him about a job, but decided that would probably not be smart... He did give me his business card at the end of the trip, so I can at least contact him in the future if I need to ;)

Delta is nice enough to hand out a menu to those of us sitting in "Business Elite" so we can make our meal choices for the next few hours. They do have a time that they serve everyone, but basically we are able to order at whatever time is convenient for us if we want to eat at a different time than anyone else. I saved the menu so I could let everyone know the choices I had... I won't give all the list of salads and wines and champagnes offered, but they were a page unto themselves...

For my main course my choices were:

• Braised Breast of Duck with Thai Coconut-Ginger Sauce, accompanied by Jasmine Rice and stir-fried Bok Choy
• Rosemary Pappardelle Pasta enhanced by Morel Mushroom Sauce, tossed with Tomatoes, Leeks and Shiitake Mushrooms (Sauteed Scallops may be added to this Entree)
• An Indian Vegetarian Selection featuring Aloo Gobi, Rajma, Shahi Paneer and Basmati Rice with Peas
• An Indian Non-Vegetarian Selection featuring Lamb Rogan Josh, Aloo Gobi, Rajma and Basmati Rice with Peas

Those who know me well may be able to guess that I was really wishing for that turkey sandwich that was offered on my flight to New York! I eventually decided on the pasta, mainly because it was the only thing that I actually could recognize most of the ingredients. It turned out to be pretty decent, but still not my thing...

After that I took a sleeping pill and laid back to watch some TV for a little bit. There were lots of choices on my little personal tv screen, and also some games and radio stations, but I ended up mostly staying on the screen that showed the radar of where we were in the world and what cities were below us. I hadn't heard of most of them, but it was interesting all the same. I was laying there thinking that the sleeping pill was not working and worrying about the fact that I would be awake for the entire flight when I suddenly woke up 7 hours later! I love Ambien!

I woke up in time for the Supper portion of the meal service. Here were my choices:

• Shrimp Quesadilla filled with Cheddar Cheese, Cilantro and Red and Green Bell Peppers, offered with Salsa, Sour Cream and a marinated Tomato and Cucumber Salad
• Chicken Cobb Salad with Romaine Lettuce, Tomatoes, Corn and Blue Cheese, accompanied by Breadsticks, Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinaigrette and seasonal fresh fruit
• An Indian Non-Vegetarian Selection including Medhu Vada, Lentil Samosa and Chicken Tandoori accompanied by seasonal fresh fruit
• An Indian Vegetarian Selecion including Medhu Vada, Lentil Samosa and Potato Fritters accompanied by seasonal fresh Fruit.

Of course I went with the salad and scraped off the blue cheese. It was really more a breast of chicken with a couple shreds of lettuce underneath it, but it was ok.

Soon enough it was almost time to land. The flight really did seem to go quickly, I guess sleeping for half of it and eating for the other half is a good way to go! As we got nearer to Mumbai I could begin to actually smell India. Not that it was exactly a bad smell, but it smelled like spices and dirt... kind of like some Indian stores I've gone into in the past. Unfortunately, I learned pretty quickly that I may be allergic to India, my nose started getting stopped up and my eyes were getting dry before we even landed.

I arrived at about 1030pm local time, so I couldn't really see anything of the city as we landed. All cities look about the same at night from the air, so nothing really stood out. What I did notice as I got off the plane was that it was HOT! I was immediately sweating like a pig, while some of the Indians around me were wearing sweaters and they all looked as if they were in a nice air conditioned vault. I don't know what they were thinking, but it wasn't air conditioned to me! Going through customs was pretty uneventful-they basically look at your passport, look at you, stamp your passport and gripe at you if you don't walk away fast enough.

From there I went to baggage claim to get all my bags before I could recheck them for my next flight. As I was waiting for my bags to come along the baggage carousel, the nice old Indian lady next to me told me not to worry about picking up my bag, her man would do it for me. Unfortunately she didn't inform "her man" of this plan, so I still had to lug my 70 pound bag off the baggage claim myself. I guess it is the thought that counts.

I took my bags through the rest of the customs process, they basically just x-rayed them and sent me on my way. I converted my $100 to 4300 rupees and moved along. My layover in Mumbai was 11 hours, so I had a hotel reservation. I had thought I was going to have to take all my bags with me and bring them back to the airport in the morning, but I found where I could go ahead and check in my bags for my morning flight right away, so I gladly did that. I had packed enough in my carryons to last me through the night. When I was checking in with my airline for the domestic India flight to Bangalore I learned that India is much more strict than the US on carryon bags so I would not be able to carry the 2 good size bags I had been carrying. I could only do 1 bag, and it could have NO liquids in it at all. I agreed that I would come back and check one of my other bags in the morning so I could still keep it overnight.

When I then walked out the door to find the driver for the airport I was greeted with the biggest, smelliest mass of humanity I have ever seen! There were people all jammed together along the railing keeping them from the airport terminal holding signs with travelers names. I didn't see anyone with my name, but luckily when a guard asked what hotel I was going to he was able to point me to the manager of the Intercontinental Grand Mumbai who was waiting nearby. There were 2 of us in the shuttle to the hotel, the other guy was from Atlanta and works on offshore oil rigs. He was really nice, and I was already grateful to be able to speak to an American! He had spent the last year in Dubai, and was on his way to spend 4 weeks at another oil rig somewhere off the coast of India. When we got to the car to leave for the hotel we were greeted by a beggar who was obviously malnourished and lame. The guy I was traveling with (I never did find out his name) gave him a coin and the guy then demanded a Euro or a dollar. Obviously not shy about demanding what he wants!

The hotel was GORGEOUS! It should be, my rate for the night was 12000 rupees... which equals about $279. Pretty sad that I would only get to spend about 6 hours in the room! The room was beautiful. The porter claimed I had a view of the garden, but since it was dark I had to take his word for it. I immediately took a long hot shower in the all marble bathroom, it felt better than any shower I can ever remember! I also brushed my teeth with the toothpaste in the travel kit in the room... it fights cavities with the healing power of cloves, so I ended up feeling like I was brushing my teeth with one of those holiday crafts that involves sticking cloves in an orange. It was an interesting experience.

This post has been longer than I thought it would be, and my driver should be here momentarily to take me to the office so I'll have to end this for now. I'll post the final portion of my travels as soon as I can...

Quick Note

My previous post was written last night, but due to internet problems I didn't get to post until this morning. I'll write part two tonight, but I wanted to just point out that due to my body's confusion about day and night I'm still waking up way too early for my liking... Thus it is that I am wide awake eating potato chips and drinking Coke at 7am. The cool thing is, I am eating and drinking as I watch the Oscars live from LA. Honestly, how cool is that? Its pretty great to think that I am sitting here watching the same thing as so many of you are back at home.

I'd also like to make one point about the potato chips I am eating. They are a flavor I haven't ever seen back home, but they are about the best tasting things in the world! They are made by Lays and the flavor is a hint of fresh butter with toasted garlic. (That is the official name, I'm not just identifying the taste on my own here...) I would strongly suggest that we start a letter writing campaign to Lays in the US to have these sold there, they are amazing! The other available flavor was a hint of roasted red chili with coriander, that doesn't sound so great to me, but some of you may like it.

I also just noticed that the nutritional information doesn't show calories like it does back home, instead it shows "energy". It seems much better to think I am ingesting a bunch of energy, that can't be fattening, right?

How I Got Here Part One

I've been having internet issues in the apartment all weekend, so hopefully I can get this all in before I lose my connection again.

My flights started at about noon on Tuesday, Dallas time. I was able to pack everything into only one huge duffel bag (the one Deb took to Europe), a small suitcase, and a cheap duffel bag from Walmart. Not too bad considering it contained everything I would need for 2 months in a developing country (I hope)! When I went through security in Dallas I didn't have my liquids properly contained in a small liter sized bag and got caught. They searched my bag and confiscated my toothpaste, facial wash and moisturizer for being too big. Luckily my parents were still watching me go through security so my contraband wasn't just thrown away. More importantly, it wasn't the only toothpaste I brought along... it was just what I planned on using during my overnight in Mumbai.

As I started my adventure I was carrying a medium size duffel bag and a very overstuffed backpack. As I walked around the stores enjoying my last few moments of home I realized I REALLY hated the duffel bag and was desperate for something with wheels. I've found in the past that I have some sort of problem with my shoulders... they slope to an alarming degree making carrying bags almost impossible. I sat and thought about all the bags I could have brought instead and was feeling pretty stupid for my choice when I turned and saw a group of bags on sale for 50% off! Now, I am never one to pass up a sale, and when I went to investigate I found the perfect rolling duffel bag for only $15. If that is not fate, I don't know what is. So I quickly bought my new black bag with white polka dots and hurried to my gate to transfer my stuff. My cheap Walmart bag was one that can be zipped into a small rectangle, so I was able to pack it away into my backpack so that I will still have an extra bag to bring stuff back at the end of the trip. I can't tell you how much it helped to be dragging a rolling bag instead of trying to carry 2 bags on my shoulders. The luggage gods were totally watching out for me!

Before departure I ate 2 pretzels for lunch, I know it isn't the healthiest lunch in the world but I really love soft pretzels and I knew I wouldn't be having any for a long time. They were really good pretzels, so I don't feel bad about my choice at all!

I was able to board first since I was flying first class (because I was connecting to business class for the international flight). My first flight was 2 hours to Atlanta, nothing really interesting to report on that one, but I will say that I vastly prefer first class to coach. The basket of snacks came back again and again....

I had about an hour and a half layover in Atlanta, and I had to get myself from the B terminal to the E terminal. Luckily there is a train so it was relatively painless. I decided since it was the international terminal I would see if I could go ahead and get some money exchanged so that I wouldn't have to worry about it when I got to Mumbai and was totally exhausted. I went to the first currency exchange place and was told they were out of Indian rupees, but that either of the other 2 exchange windows would have them. One of the exchange places was right next to my departure gate so I stood in line there only to yet again be told that they had no rupees but either of the other 2 windows would have them. I decided I would not traipse to the other window and resigned myself to the fact that I was not meant to get rupees in Atlanta.

It was right about this time that it occurred to me that when I kept looking through my purse I was finding things really easily considering I had stuck my camera case in there... Suddenly it hit me that my camera case was no longer in my purse. I frantically looked in my backpack and my new cute rolling bag before I was convinced that somehow my camera had not made the trip with me. I called home and Mom told me that my camera is sitting on the chair back in Dallas. Really? How nice. While I was glad that my camera was not lost in a black hole somewhere, it doesn't help me take pictures when I get to India!

I consoled myself that I can have the camera shipped to me, and went to get on my next flight. This plane is the same plane I would be taking all the way to India, but it stopped at JFK on the way. Delta no longer has first and business class on their international flights, there is just Business Elite. I have to say, I'm a fan! The plane was a 777, and the seats were huge! They have foot rests that come out and recline to the point where you are almost laying down. This flight included a "snack" which turned out to be a turkey sandwich and pasta salad. It was way yummy. This flight was only an hour and a half, shorter than the layover I would have in JFK.

The woman sitting next to me was from India but has lived in Atlanta for the last 30 years. She was on her way to India to get her mother and bring her to the States for the first time. She was great to talk to, and gave me all sorts of information about what I can buy for cheap in Bangalore. I'm a sucker for bargain shopping. She also told me that last year she went to the Taj Mahal for the first time and it was amazing. I told her I was thinking about going on this trip, but I wasn't sure how safe it would be for a female traveling alone. She just kept repeating that it would be really good for me to go there when I am married. I think that means she doesn't think it is a good idea for me to go alone this trip! I was disappointed to find that she would not be taking this flight all the way to India with me, she was changing to an Emirates flight connecting through Dubai.

Before getting off the plane at JFK I noticed another first class passenger take her small black dog out of her Gucci dog carrier and put a sweater on him. Because of course she couldn't take a chance on him catching a chill. It seemed like something Paris Hilton would do, and I knew I was really in New York. Unfortunately, it kind of sucks to be in New York when I know I can't go to a Broadway show or eat at the Sbarro in Times Square. Don't make fun, that and shopping for purses in Chinatown are what New York is all about!

When I got off the plane at JFK, they made all of us who were continuing on to Mumbai stand off to the side so we could get our visas and passports checked. After that was finished I was able to go hang out in the Business Elite lounge. While I was not able to get online, I was able to charge my cell phone and make a couple of calls home. After talking to Debra about my lack of face wash (after security at DFW) I ventured over to the duty free store to see if I could find anything that wasn't too outrageous. I ended up spending $16 on some Clinique face wash, it was the cheapest thing I could find and I decided with the heat and humidity I would be encountering it was important to pamper my face a bit.

I'm going to finish the story of my big adventure tomorrow, it is now 10pm here in India and I am really tired. I keep thinking I am close to being used to the time change, but it is harder than I thought it would be to train my body to get used to a 12 hour time change... but more about that later...

Also, as another quick teaser... I found out Friday night that there is a chance I may be taking a week away from India to go to Australia! I've always dreamed of going to Australia, but right now my excitement is more about the fact that it would mean a REAL shower, with water pressure and everything! If I'm really, really lucky the hot water will last more than 2 minutes there.... I'll find out more on Tuesday morning my time, Monday evening in the States.

I'm here!

Well, after a long, long, long few flights and more stress than I care to think about, I am actually in India at my office. I have a ton of notes I will type up this weekend to share all my experiences on the way, but for now I just wanted to post that I've made it! Its been overwhelming at times, and I spent some time yesterday convinced that I would gladly give up my left kidney for an immediate plane ticket home, but after a lot of sleep and figuring out that there is a TV station here that shows American Idol I'm feeling much better.

I'm glad to have a weekend to decompress and try to get my body to change time zones, I've been having a lot of trouble figuring out how to deal with the fact that my body is still about 11 hours behind the world around me. I'm getting a little more caught up, but the weekend will be very helpful. I can't wait to share all my observations, but sadly due to a small mixup before leaving home I am here without my camera. Mom and Dad will be shipping it will be shipping it to me, so the pictures should start sometime next week. I should have no shortage of interesting things to show everyone!

Leaving Tomorrow!

The big day is almost here! I leave tomorrow at 1220pm for my short little trip across the globe. Debra made me start this blog, it should help me keep everyone up to date on my adventures!