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.