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Published: February 6th 2010
Feb 5, 2010
Day 1
4 hours before landing in Delhi
Its been over twenty hours since I left Portland, but it feels like I just got on the plane. Untamable pre-departure anticipation resulted in the least amount of sleep I’ve had in probably a decade, and the resulting dream-like state I’ve been in since has left me feeling totally incapable of processing what’s happening. I do know, however, that I have never been in darkness for this long before. The sun went down 14 hours ago on my flight to New York and I haven’t seen it since. This is not to say that the sweet, sweet sun isn’t shining outside my window right now; I can see it’s tantalizing glare through a crack in the bottom of my shade. Unfortunately for me and any other sun-loving crazies on the plane, the flight attendants “requested” that we all pull down our shades while it was still dark during the beginning of the PM flight out of New York. This way, fellow passengers will be able to be totally unprepared for the inevitable jet lag that awaits by letting them slip in and out of consciousness without regard
to the time zone or natural conditions of the outside world. That’s nice. I’m going crazy. In addition to my love of being exposed to sunlight at some point in any given 24 hour period, I also have an admittedly childlike enthusiasm when it comes to having the window seat and being able to photograph everything I see with the (never accurate) assumption that I will appreciate the photos later… but not today. According to the screen in the headrest in front of me I’ve recently passed over Moscow. I’ve repeatedly looked around for a fellow passenger to be the first to give into similar neuroses and be the first to lift their window shade - to no avail. I’ve actually reached for the shutter on two separate occasions so far, but have shamefully retreated in a cowardly fashion both times. Plus, I’m pretty sure that the alarmingly grumpy and now-sleeping business man next to me would publicly confirm all of my concerns if I went through with it. Damn social conformity. Three hours and thirty-five minutes until I land in a sleeping Delhi and depart from this dark tube of delirium….
2 hours before landing
I’m only
a couple hours away from landing in India and I’m having an astonishingly difficult time bracing myself for what’s about to go down. Months of research, numerous books read, countless conversations all leading up to this time, and my current state is that of mildly delirious and totally calm state that I feel on any given Tuesday morning. Instead of people watching and digging into some serious mental preparation, I’ve just been laughing hysterically at episodes of 30 Rock and Two and a Half Men (thank you, Continental) as though I’m on a flight to somewhere in the continental US. The plane is packed, but despite being a direct flight to Delhi about 90% of the passengers look like they just stepped out of a Salt Lake City suburb. The only thing indicative of the fact that we’re not headed to Salt Lake, actually, is the surprisingly appetizing curry dishes they’re serving instead of the traditionally disgusting airline fare. I’m just sitting here, blissfully giggling to my sitcoms and waiting patiently to wake up and recognize. I’m waiting in vein to feel the kind of excitement, alertness, preparedness, nervousness…anything commensurate with what I imagined I would feel at this stage. Instead, I just want to watch another episode of 30 Rock. Or maybe Arrested Development.
15 minutes before landing
Okay, it’s hit me. I can see the lights of Delhi. Holy shit this city is huge! I’m totally nauseous and have noticed that I’m sweating. The amount of “what if” questions streaming through my head right now is crazy. 4 minutes till landing. Sweater has been returned to body to hide what must be apparent nervousness around underarm region. Self-assuring pep-talk has now been administered. As I will hopefully love to say throughout the rest of my life…its go time.
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Lonna
non-member comment
Woo Hoo!
So fun to hear what was going on in your mind etc. I remember those moements as I traveled to New Zealand and Thailand. At least I had family with me annd wasn't alone. But I'm sure it was somewhat the same exerperience. I'm Lovin' it! M