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Published: August 10th 2010
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Lobby of the hotel
They have a live jazz band each night which will be a great experience. New Orleans meets India Day1
Made it to Eppley and checked in for the flight. Headed up to meet Rohit at the gate after saying my goodbyes to the family. Met Rohit at the gate and we boarded the flight. I'm buckled in and really excited for this world changing experience.
O’Hare made it and relaxed in the Business Lounge for an hour before the Frankfurt, Germany flight. Nice lounge I didn't know these existed until today. Most people just sit in the terminal gate area but a lot of business travelers are tucked away in this lounge today. I need to figure out how to get a United business gold card to sit in here regularly
Boarded the plane to Germany it was a United Boeing 747 massive plane w/upper deck seating. Seated in an awesome pod style seat with a huge big screen TV. My seat mate was a cool Frenchmen named Peter. We shared stories about our professions and he mentioned his company does business in Denver and we both agreed Nebraska is “fly-over” country. The cabin crew called me Mr. Michael (LOVED THAT) and gave me the menu. Grilled shrimp w/ a mango puree and asparagus tips. I remembered that because I watch Top Chef. The main course was filet mignon with garlic potatoes and grilled veggies. Dessert was this really good chocolate coated cherry Ice Cream. I was going to ask for another but I thought I needed to relax this was only an airline meal not the Golden Corral buffet.
So I recline back in the spacious pod and put on my footie’s and down blanket and think I could travel like this all the time. I checked out the new movie releases I had with my remote. I nodded off for a few hours since it was a 7 hour flight. Woke up and looked out the window and we’re in Germany. They served us breakfast and we left the aircraft. In Germany if you’re not flying in on Lufthansa Airlines, they make you deplane on the tarmac and they transport you via bus to the terminal. We get to the lounge and start to converse about personal life. Rohit asks me about my family and such we share some good stories and relax for the Mumbai flight.
At this point I’m thinking to myself:
1. Never assume a Frenchmen is German by the accent they get very defensive.
2. Europeans are not as bad as I've heard from my own firsthand experience so far.
3. This trip I’ve promised to not become frustrated by anything or anyone. Life has to be viewed with positive affirmations.
4. This trip will change my life in a really good way.
We board the flight to Mumbai again a massive 747 this time on Lufthansa seats not as nice as United but big and spacious in a pod style. The food was TERRIBLE all this spicy lamb and curry I'm not used to. To make matters worse, my seat mate was this guy who never spoke to me the entire flight. I saw a man with a crazy beard and a turban too and immediately wanted to catch another flight. I relax my mind because I've never been out of the country and need to take all this in. I'm going to learn tolerance, patience, and humility all on this flight. Got to Mumbai 7 hours later the windows instantly fogged up on the tarmac but at least we got to walk right into the terminal. It's so hot here I can't believe the heat getting off the plane it feels like someone just opened the oven door. The first thing I see is dirty red carpet and the strong smell of black pepper or something like it. I miss being home for the first time. Rohit starts educating me on the local experience and we walk to customs. The process is pretty quick and easy it was 1 a.m. local time so everyone else was rushing to get out of the terminal. We grab our bags and head outside to find our driver. What looks like hundreds of Indian men outside with signs waiting for passengers and cab drivers we’ve been told to never take a ride from.
Hmmm that was comforting. The hotel we're staying at sent a driver who was very genuine and gracious he grabbed our bags and we walked to the parking area. At this point I smell more spices than my palate would ever be able to figure out and it’s so hot I swear to God I've lost 35 lbs instantly. We get to the hotel and they check the trunk and look under the car for explosives. We have to pass through 4 guards and a bomb machine before entering the lobby. Increased security since the Taj Hotel bombings from a few years back. I'm escorted to the room it’s very nice and here I am on the PC…….
There is no iron or ironing board that I can see, but I’m going to be happy and find a way to use this full can of spray starch I brought with me. More to come later I’m sure the experience will get even more funny as the day progresses. It's 1 a.m. local time but early afternoon back home so I'm wide awake still. Should be meeting Rohit for breakfast in about 4 hours then off to sightseeing.
Check my Facebook page for all the pictures from this experience
LMJ
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