Just getting there...

The journey ends up being almost 30 hours. Not so bad this time. I have no problem sleeping in planes. But of course, as soon as I landed in Bombay there was a problem.

I land in the international airport which seems much cleaner than when I landed 11 years ago. I have a feeling they cleared out the "unseemly" people to make a more welcoming impression for the multinationals. Of course, it is still something of a madhouse. There is a distinct Bombay airport smell. Not one that I like. I think it might actually be the tar from the tarmac. Not really sure. But it immediately brings a validation of my arrival.

I was to fly from Bombay to Calicut. Since it is a domestic flight, I needed to take the bus to the domestic airport as I have always done in the past. When I asked about Indian Airlines I had 2 people "correct" me by saying Air India. Sure. Whatever. Fine - Air India. Another case of India being defensive about a name change.

After carting all of the luggage through customs and onto the bus, I realized I had no money - at all. Foolishly, I didn't make the time to get any money at the airport ATMs. I was relieved to see the porters wearing shirts that read "No Tips! Thanks" cool. Of course I was sadly mistaken to think that this was really the case and realized after the head porter kept asking for "complimentaries, madame." I thought maybe I could hand him some hotel shampoo or something. Another luggage check through Air India's x-ray machines and I worry that my matching luggage is not going to make it unscathed through the trip. I contemplate whether these x-ray machines are actually just big cardboard boxes with flashing lights made to look official. They don't look too modern or reliable.

Of course, after checking all of my luggage in, the Air India person tells me I need to go back to International airport and check in to Indian Airlines! This is so typical of India. I was thanking God that my flight wasn't for a few hours. I know it is partly my fault, but I wouldn't have been surprised if Indian Airlines had actually changed its name to Air India and people were correcting me. I don't know why they wouldn't tell me where India Airlines was when I told them that is what I was looking for. SO TYPICAL!

It took forever to get back to International - almost another 45 minutes. Another smile for the porters and a look of "hey I'm a foreigner and I'm too ignorant to realize that you deserve a tip" I then needed to navigate 200 french nursing home tourists. They are truly oblivious, pushy and unaware of the fact that it is rude to cut in line. They are going to fit in perfectly in India. Finally, I got back to the right place. Not that i was thrilled to be on the junky Indian Airlines plane. But soon I would be arriving in Calicut, the first destination in my trip to Kerala...

Intro

10 days into the trip and this is the first blog! Here are a few of my thoughts and experiences -not much chronology, logic or editing. I am overwhelmed!

The land, people, food, and life in general have been amazing. It has been great to spend quality time with Mom and Dad as well as Ammachi. I can't forget Chiku the puppy either. She's quite demanding for attention.

I have been photographing like a mad woman. Of the ALMOST 3 GB OF PHOTOS that I have taken so far, I only have about 4 or 5 photos of myself - here's one! I have been experiencing so much that I don't know if I can keep up the pace. And yet, it has also been so relaxing. I am really missing Deep but luckily we are able to keep fairly good contact now that I have arrived in Trivandrum. I can't wait for him to come here and experience all of this.

Below I'm going to throw in blurbs and photos of some of my favorite experiences so far...

ago. I have a feeling they cleared out the "unseemly" people to make a more welcoming impression for the multinationals. Of course, it is still something of a madhouse.