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Published: December 12th 2005
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Yoga Girl
Ruth entertained herself and others by doing some of her yoga moves at the airport while we waited to board the plane. After a worrisome morning yesterday (or however long ago that was), I was reunited with my luggage at the San Francisco airport. They decided to store it for us instead of delivering it. Praveen and I found it all locked up with a bit of other "bad luggage" like lost animals in an animal shelter. I can't express how relieved it was to finally lay eyes on them.
The international terminal at SFO was hectic and crowded. We got there early because Praveen was told that was the only way for us to get good seats. Guess what? wrong. All the seats were already assigned and we were going to have to sit seperately. Ruth decided to let Praveen persue that little problem, saying that she was sure he'd be more diplomatic and polite than she would. (good insight, Ruth). After standing in another line and talking to a supervisor, we ended up all sitting together afterall.
The good news was that the first leg of the flight to Frankfort was ONLY ten hours, not 13. From Frankfort to Chenni, India was only 8 more. The plane was packed full... and to my disappointment there was no more leg
Luggage Lock-Up
There they are! All locked up safely and ready to be claimed. All we had to do was find a nice United Airlines person to sign their release papers. room than on any other ordinary domestic flight, and possible less. We were fed 4 or 5 full meals and the food was pretty good in my opinion. I'm never too excited about using the bathroom on planes and try to avoid it, but on a flight this long, there was no avoiding it and I became a regular visitor. I told myself to enjoy it, at least there was toilet paper and who knows how often I'd have that luxery during the next month.
We occupied part of the time with learning how to pronounce the names of places and a few phrases in one of the native languages. I say one of them because there are many and it depends where we are, which version of the phrase we will use. The only one I remember now is a "formal greeting" that I should use when I meet Praveen's grandparents. It is "Vanakam" and is pronounced....wanna cum. No, I will not forget that.
Sleeping was not easy but Ruth and I took a couple sleeping pills which at least helped us dose in and out off and on. At one point Praveen saw a friend and
oh yeah?
This sign was posted over the cage where where they stored my luggage. went to visit with him standing at the back of the plane. Ruth and I quickly moved in to fill his vacated 20 inches.
On the last leg of the trip from Frankfort, there were many Indian families and many young children.... I was amazed at how well they all behaved. We rarely heard any crying or anything at all out of the kids. From past experience, I doubt it would have been the same if it was the same crowded, long, boring trip with as many American children on board. We can't even attend a graduation or choral program in Fulton without listening to babies cry, and parents just LETTING them do it! I am so far impressed by Indian parenting.
I took a bunch of stuff to keep me occupied on the plane and forgot the lesson I learned last time I did that. It's way too hard to access the overhead carry on to be getting stuff in and
out of it, and there is way too little space to keep things within reach. So much for crocheting that baby blanket for Rebekah. We kept the almonds and water handy and near the end of
Ruth & Praveen
Ruth got the window, I got the aisle and lucky Praveen got to sit between us. the flight I celebrated by dragging down the carry on and opening one box of the truffles that I was bringing as a gift to Praveen's parents. It was only the smallest box, there were several others. I thought that enduring the flight entitled me to a few truffles. I just finished eating the rest for breakfast a few minutes ago.
When we got to Chennai, we stood in line to pass through immigration (I guess). We were in the line for "foreign". Praveen is actually foreign too since he was born in Malasya and keeps his citizenship and passport, so he gets to be foreign too. After turning in our paperwork and getting our passports checked we went to another area to find our luggage, no quick or easy task, then we handed more paperwork to customs and then were out the door into a colorful mass of humanity who politely parted to make way for our three luggage carts.
We were met at the Chennai airport by two of Praveen's friends who helped us get to the car and driver that they'd hired to get us to the hotel. It was around 2:30 at night when we finally got here. It's a beautiful hotel with all the convienences. I was especially impressed by..... you guessed it....toilet paper! However there is also this little water squirter thing coming out of the wall and being in an adventuresome mood and wanting to experience India to the fullest (well, maybe not the FULLEST) anyhow, I tried it. I thought hey, this might actually be fun.... I squirted all off nice and clean.... and then realized I was dripping wet! I wasn't sure what was used to dry off with or if they DID dry off after the peritineal squirt bath.... so I used TP to dry with. The only other alternative was the hand towel. I have a feeling that is what it was for....
There is so much I haven't written about...and might do it later. Now I am about to take a shower and then venture out. Ruth called at 8 this morning to let me know she was heading for the hotel gym. I told her I'd pass. I didn't even take a shower last night and besides I was more interested in writing this.
Oh...one thiing I can't fail to tell about is the hotel check in. Praveen had reserved one "double" room and one "singe" (for me). The guy at the desk seemed insistant on putting Ruth and I in the double. Finally, Praveen got through to him that he'd be sharing the double with Ruth. When we got up to their room (on the way to mine) guess what we found.... twin beds! HA HA... when was the last time you saw twin beds in a hotel room? Then we get to mine, the "single" and it has a double bed. The luggage is delivered to our respective rooms... Praveen contacts the desk to ask for a room with a double bed, and they tell him sorry, there are none left.
More soon. Debra
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Pia
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Long Flight
I can feel for you on the long flight. I made the flight from Los Angeles to Frankfurt many times. It just seemed it will never end. Last time I went at least we could still smoke. Sounds like you are prepared for anything on your trip. I am looking forward to getting more updates on the trip. Have fun!!!!!