Holy Cow(sh*t)
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Delhi,
India
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Okay! I'm here! Wow.
So.. It was an eventful trip over... Went to a lovely Mexican thanksgiving dinner at Lopez's and Kevin's house in Portland after I finally managed to scrape up what I had of my marbles in Eugene, throw them in the car, and head north. It was really fun. Mariachis and everything... Of course a few obligatory tequila shots and some Tecates later- what a perfect send - off. I shouldn't have been surprised that Sara and I were still up when my alarm (time to get up and get on the plane!) went off at 4:30. Showered, Kong came to drive us (Sara accompanied) and after a little freak-out session- I was ready to get on the plane. Not surprisingly, I slept for the first couple of hours, but was seated by this very cool girl Vanessa who lives in Portland but who was off to Madrid to spend a holiday with her family. We chatted on the plane, and then decided to grab food together when we got to Jersey (Happy Thanksgiving!) as our layovers were similar in time and our connecting flights were both Continental and so out of the same area at the airport. We had a ball. Looking forward to hooking up with her when I get home.
Then- Got on the flight to Delhi, and was seated next to a delightful young lady who was flying back with her mom to holiday- her family is from Amritsar, Punjab. She has been in the US for 10 years (she's 25 now) and is fully American-ized. Really trippy, talking to her about her sort of dual life- expectations, etc- all of it. REALLY nice and smart girl. I have to say (and I told her this) that when I met her mom (who was not seated by us) and she introduced me and what my basic travel plans were to her, her mom just shook her head and looked at me like I was totally, completely out of my mind. I have never gotten such a sincere from-the-heart "You are absolutely crazy." look from anyone, ever. Anyway, the long and short of that all sort of boiled down to Ameena (daughter) invited me to her cousin's wedding at their home on 12/4. She said that I would be welcome any time once they get back from their family beach vacation (where they are headed as we speak) on the 29th or so through the wedding. I am so excited, that will be such fun. I know that the more the merryer (marryer!? Ha) when it comes to Indian weddings so I know I won't be a burden- and the opportunity to help cook or otherwise engage in local life is just thrilling. Ameena said that we can take a 20 minute drive and see where they open the Pakistani border (certain hours of the day). That would be great. Apparently where they live is really safe and sort of a new, slick community- not surprising as they are flying internationally and all well educated and whatnot. Anyway. Looking forward to that one.
Meanwhile.. Back to the travel story part. Getting off the plane and in to the concourse- it's smoky. INSIDE, it's smoky. Not cigarettes- pure unadulterated pollution. The airport felt pretty much the same as many 3rd world airports I've been to
OKAY!! that right there was the second time that I've been thrown off the Internet connection and while I have plenty to say... I've just plumb run out of patience to do it. Ha!! I need to eat and to get out of this "broadband" internet cafe before I lose it! :)
Love to all- catch you a little later.
