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Published: September 4th 2009
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Chicago Park
Mandy and Carroll, my fellow travelers Two Days in One
We left NOLA at 11:35 to arrive in Chicago at 2. A few of my cohorts and I decided to get some Chicago style pizza (what better place, right?). We caught a cab and headed to Giordano's pizza. There, a gentleman overheard us discussing with excitement and anxiety the trip before us. He shared that he will be going to India in November. As he finished his meal, wishing us luck, he let us know he'd be picking up the bill! What a start! After that, we trapsed around a beautiful garden area, noting that India will be a sharp contrast to this clean cut landscaping. We hopped over to the Marriot to use the restroom and scored a free shuttle back to the airport. We decided we felt like a million pesos! Converted to rupees (the Indian currency) would be 3.6 million. This number is often shouted out by the four of us whenever good luck ("tashi delli" in Tibetan) befalls us.
15 hours on the plane. Oye! It was really like an enormous sleep over on a plane. We all watched numerous movies and spread out over multiple seats.
Monsoon Traffic
This hardly captures the streets we had to trek I found myself without the luxury of stretching out as my row was packed. I sleepily walked about the plane to see if there were a few seats together. No luck. But then I stumbled upon a lovely unused chair a section up from mine. As I sat in it I realized it reclined all the way! Boy did I sleep! That was, until I was awoken by a less than forgiving flight attendent. "Wake up. Wake up! What made you THINK you could come up HERE!?" As I pulled myself up and out of sleep I shrugged and mumbled something like "I uhn oh..." "OH, you knew FULL well!" I didn't realize American Airlines was so veheminantly practicing the caste system. I am but a lowly street rat...an untouchable if you will. Back to economy!
Okay. So, I knew the empty seat wasn't mine...but nobody was sitting where they were assigned. I'm grateful for the 5 hours of sleep I got in the unattended business class (or was it first?) section of the plane. The woman who chastized me proceeded to beleaguer other travelers in my group assuming they were I. Fortunately, they just thought it was funny
Delhi Roomies
Mandy, Liz and I getting acquainted with our room and commended me for stickin' it to the man. I just wanted to sleep.
Welcome to Delhi
Monsoon season stuck around. Rain fell persistanly for about an hour after we left the airport around 10 pm Delhi time. Once it let up, we jumped at the opportunity. The bus could take us only so far on the tiny, packed roads, to our temporary home, the Star Plaza. We got our luggage out and made the five block trek through flooded streets. I pressed forward through the opaque waters forcing out of my mind the many possible things that attributed to such a mucky brown. Through the dark streets I caught glimpses of people everywhere. Crammed under awnings, laying on and under carts and tables as well as the countless others meandering through the streets on half-submerged bikes and scooters. We wasted no time getting checked in and washing our feet. Because it was about noon back home, sleeping was going to be an issue. I opted for a Tylenol PM and nightcap of Kingfisher (my first). Several of us visited for a while, but my concoction quickly kicked in...for about 4 and a half
hours. I awoke at 4:45 and greeted the day. Sitting on the roof listening to Delhi rouse, I had my alone time with the Big Guy.
After coffee with the group, we set out at 7 am to tour the city. Our guide, Tsering (a Tibetan monk), led us through the immediate vicinity. Locals gaped and tried half-heartedly to sell their goods. We visited a hindu temple followed by a buddhist one for a few minutes of meditation. Shortly after we hit the exchange and then breakfast. I'm trying to break myself in slowly so I opted for the spanish omelette and potatoes. I had a dream during my riff raff nap on the plane about getting typhoid, so I'm in no hurry to take any risks.
So far no culture shock or mishaps. I've avoided the cow pies and maniac drivers and the children have not been too agressive in their begging. The stares and comments will likely be the most aggrivating occurrance as it seems the general impression of American girls are what Indians have seen in the cinema. In short, they think we're all easy. This was strongly evidenced by the many oglings my group
Metro
Not as bad as I thought it would be... has recieved along with comments about their "mountains". I'm hiding my molehills under a lovely conservative shall given to me for my birthday (thanks Mir) and have thus far avoided any scandalous dialogues. Still, if we so much as smile at a man they may think we're coming on to them. I've heard it is not uncommon for goats to be offered to you in exchange for marriage. That'd have to be a whole lot of goats.
We just finished a yoga session on the roof of our building and are headed out for dinner. Hopefully tonight will be the final calibration of our very confused internal clocks. Tomorrow is full up with activity, the highlight of which, I think, is volunteering at Mother Theresa's mission. More on that later.
Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement!
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Mir
non-member comment
Way to guard the molehills! ;)
Ahoy Matey! Glad to see you arrived safe and sound. Already sounds like an awesome adventure! (Glad the scarf came in handy...) ;) The photo from the temple was INCREDIBLE (read that like Napolean)! We'll have to put together an album when you return as I'm sure you'll have many amazing pictures! Keep us posted when you can and remember: no amount of goats is the right amount for you! ;) LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!