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Published: February 6th 2009
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Well, the journey has begun...and it wasn't the smoothest ride either.
To say "procrastination" is an understatement of what I put myself through before getting here. From driving to Boulder at 9:30 the night before I left selling my car to a fresh-outta-highschooler to filling my prescriptions on the way to airport - I was running around like a madman to say the least. So, finally getting to the airport, I thought I had all my stresses behind me and I could look forward to an excursion filled with adventures and experiences. But that got put on hold...for a while.
As I arrived to the airport, my head was in the right state of mind: ready for 4 and a half months of craziness. The doors opened to the check-in counters, and curious to see if my flight was on time, I looked up at the departure screen. Denver to Newark "
CANCELED". "WHAT THE FUCK!" (Yes, I actually said this aloud.) So, I walk up to the desk and ask the woman if there is
anything they can do. She types away at the computer for hours on end (or so it seemed), and finally says, "sorry sir, the
best thing I can do for you is have you leave tomorrow, the United flight is completely full going to Newark". Now, normally in this situation, I wouldn't be that upset, seeing as I live in Denver and I could just call someone and come back tomorrow BUT this was something I had my head preparing for; there was no way I was not leaving. So, I say, "well, can I just go on stand-by with that United flight?" to which she says, "wow, that's a good idea!" (Why am I doing her job again?)
So I get on this United flight and it gets delayed and delayed and delayed. Finally, I hear over the loud speaker that there is a last call for another United flight about to take off to Newark so I run over there. They put me on the flight - thank god! I'm on my way...maybe I can make my connecting flight in Newark at 8:20 to Mumbai. No, no, no...as we're flying over the midwest, the captain comes on and says, "We're having some pressurization issues, so we're gonna take a left turn and have to land in Chicago". Awesome.
Chicago - we
wait on another plane for about a 1/2 hour because "we need another stewardess" they say. After the other stewardess comes on - we're all wondering why we're not moving...ohhh, "we don't have any pilots yet". United in Stupidity. About a 1/2 later, we get some pilots (woo-ray!) The captain comes on the loud-speaker and says, "sorry about all that, we'll get you to Vancouver ASAP" HUH?? "Oh, whoops, we'll get you over to Newark no problem." Well, don't speak so soon there cap because just then the power shuts off. Captain says it could be a hydrolic issue and could take a while. After a mechanic checks it out, we're off to Newark...finally. We land in Newark and United puts me in a Howard Johnson (fancy-shmancy, I know). We arrive at the HoJo at 1AM.
That was the day in hell.
Feb 4th - New day! Flight to Mumbai takes 14 hours and I have a middle seat but honestly, at this point, that's fine and something a little xanax can get me through.
Feb 5th - Arrival in Mumbai around 9:40PM. Take the shuttle to the domestic airport until flight leaves at 5AM. HOWEVER -
I didn't get reissued a flight from Continental, so I have to BUY a new ticket to Goa. (Will it ever end?)
Feb 6th - Arrival in Goa around 6AM. The taxi ride was crazy...or I guess just taxi drivers in general. (At one point this guy actually passed an ambulance with its lights flashing.) Driving down what seems to be one way streets passing people on mopeds, bikes and elephants...yes, elephants. Not to mention dodging the cows and dogs that freely wander the streets. However, the surroundings are amazing as the sun is just coming up and the fog is lifting, leaving a beautiful view of the palm trees.
I arrive in Vagatar Beach at the Sunita Guesthouse where Aaron is staying. I knock on the door and an uninviting, "Jesus Christ!" is heard from inside the room. Wakey, wakey big bro! The room is pretty large with a decent sized bed and a ceiling fan. I took a shower which I learned upon entering shares its space with a toilet - there is no separation between the two, like a tub. You have to squeegee the water from the floor when you're done showering into the
corner drain. The shower is cold but I honestly could care less at this point. I noticed the lack of toilet paper (none) and figured I would have to buy it elsewhere. I then asked Aaron what the bucket in the corner of the room next to the toilet was for to which he responded, "that's how they wipe their ass". I won't get into details but just think water and hand.
After the shower I was too excited to be sitting around while Aaron slept so I took my pack with my camera and headed towards the beach. All it takes is a quick walk down the street and a descent down some stairs. Dogs follow you
everywhere but I refrain from petting them. The people here obviously don't watch the "Price is Right" and listen to good ole Bob Barker cuz these dogs are definitely not spayed and neutered. They follow you, I'm guessing, for scraps - but not from me, I'm on a budget here, doggies!
As I walk down the steps, a smile comes over my face as I see the ocean. I feel like one of those weirdos you see walking down the street
with a huge grin - the type of person I say, "what the hell are they so cheery about?" but I'm guessing no one is wondering why my face is like this...especially here.
As I'm looking out into the ocean with palm trees (and dog shit) surrounding me, I can't help but think it looks like something out of a cover of Conde Naste magazine (sans the dog shit). Nearby, they are setting up the beach bars for the day and hopefully our destination tonight. As the sun rises over the hill behind me and silhouettes the palm trees, I cannot help stress the word "paradise" enough...
Right now, after a day of riding around town on the scooter, Aaron and I are at a beach bar called Curly's in Anjuna sipping on King Fishers, listening to trance music blasting and watching European dudes play paddle-ball in speedos. Does it get much better? I think not...
Until next time...
PS - I'll try and get pictures up another time, this computer doesn't have a program!
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Mom
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Paradise found
Max, what an amazing start to your journey! You have experienced the typical first time traveler's "if it's going to go wrong, it will". But you kept your composure, and more amazingly, your head! And as far as I can tell, you remembered everything you needed to bring. So relieved you are there safely and I'm as excited as you are for your adventure to come. Love the blog, keep it and the journal, going, and take some wonderful photos!!! I love you guys. Give Aaron a big kiss for me. Or a hug. Take some photos of each other, and get someone to take some of the 2 of you along the way. Pet a dog for crying out loud.