The last India post, which was a couple weeks ago, left us leaving the forts being followed my a little lady babbling a string of words in English.
After our little experience at the Fort our driver took us to a nice restaurant. It was a 3 story building. When we walked in the man asked us what type of cuisine we wanted and directed us to the appropriate level in the building. The second floor was India Cuisine. The table was very low and so were the chairs. The food was delicious.
After that was probably one of the worst experiences of the whole trip. Shopping at Chalimar. It was so crowded. There were so many people that the cars could barely drive down the road. The people were all following us and begging us and pulling us to go to their stand. It was loud and confusing. The streets reeked of filth and urine. A little boy followed us, right on our heels, asking us to buy a necklace. They just badger and beg right up in your face over and over and over and over. The little boy was cute. Soon an older boy came up to him and started pushing him and yelling at him and then trying to sell HIS stuff to us. He was pushing the little boy away so we’d buy from HIM! One of the men at one of the booths said something very harsh to him and he possibly threatened him and he left the little boy alone, but hung around.
My bladder was about to explode. There are no buildings really, just booths along the streets. And little back allies. We actually came to a street with some government buildings. They were kind of open air buildings. There was a police station. I went in and asked the guys with big guns if they had a restroom I could use. They didn’t speak English, but understood. They pointed to an archway with a partial wooden door. I opened it and was now outside in a dark alley. It was like a hallway with no ceiling. It was damp and dirty and full of trash and there was a nasty drippy faucet- probably more “DRINKING WATER” . There was a drain in the ground that was just so gross. And the door to the toilet. It was just a hole in the ground. No toilet. Not even like a port-a-potty here with a ‘toilet’ that leads to a hole. It was just a filthy, stinky room with a hole in the ground and door. Good think I bring wipes and hand cleanser. NASTY. The holes in the ground in the country side of China were a lot nicer than this!
After I came out, the little boy with the necklaces was STILL there trying t get my husband to buy something. Neither of us does well with pressure. We need a quiet minute to think. We crossed the street to this tower thing. Looked like an old bell tower. We bought a ticket (about $3) and went in to have a look. And for quiet.
There was teeny, narrow twisted stairwell that led to the top. It was dark and the steps were VERY steep. The spiral was very tight. You could see a few steps ahead. And there is no way a chubby person could go up them. Brian went up and I stayed. I get pretty claustrophobic and after yesterday’s asthma stuff and the pressing crowd today, I was feeling claustrophobic out on the streets!
I called up to Brian that I would try to come up in a few minutes. I stood and 2 men came and went up. I looked up, took a deep breath, stepped back out, and took another deep breath.. OI repeated that about 10 times. Then I tried a few steps… and came back…. But then I just did it. I thought I was going to die. I could barely breathe and was so panicky. There was a teeny window every few twists and I would stick my head out and breath. The steps kept ascending higher and higher and there seemed to be no end. I kept getting to the break of a panic attack and would tell myself it was just around the next turn…… about 20 turns later I came out in the open.
I walked around and couldn’t find Brian. Some guard said he recognized me from the Hyderabad conference and was very talkative and was going to show me around. I felt scared and turned him down and walked away.
A young couple stopped me and asked to take their picture. I did. Then the man wanted to take a picture of me with his wife (or girlfriend). I was in a little well with a HUGE window- almost open doorway, which opened to the floor below….. WAY BELOW at the bottom of the tower. Next thing I know there were 8 other people crowded in and pushing and wanted my picture or to take theirs and I couldn’t breath and was afraid they’d push me over the edge to my bloody demise! (Brian got upset when I admitted to him, finally, how paranoid and depressed the meds made me)
I saw Brian across the open area and called him over. I pushed my way through the crowd of picture mongers and saw Brian and about burst into tears. Then we had to WALK DOWN that horrible stairwell!! And this time I was boxed in front and back with people. I was starting to hyperventilate and saying “I can’t! I can’t do it!!”. The couple in front of us were Americans and Brian told them I was claustrophobic and they stayed a few steps ahead and talked me down, telling me what was next, the turns and windows, etc…. and Brian stayed about 4 steps behind me to give me room.
At the bottom I just sat on the floor in the open area and rested. It was kind of quiet- thought loud just outside. It was nice and the floor was cool. After about 30 minutes we left.
The little boy was still there. Brian bought a necklace from him. As he got out money to pay, an old man JUMPED up and grabbed my husbands hand with the money and was trying to take it! This kind of freaked me out, esp after my last little adventure! Brian seemed OK. He’s very, very calm and even-keeled. A police man saw the scuffle and came over and yelled at the man and pushed him away. The old man broke my necklace Brian just bought (for $3..LOL).
The we met the girls and drove to the airport
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Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
we are lunch break- So I have time to post what we did this morning:(my boys are 11, 12.5, 14). 3 links included.
Monday October 22, 2007
Breakfast at 8:30
School at 9.
Read to boys: Jesus Freaks
Brain Gym (Cris Crosses, water, Elephant 8s & Deep Breathing, water, Body scales, water, Hook-Ups)
Spelling. C&G copy from the board. I sit with Ki and write o ut one word at a time for him- to show how one word can be made into the next word (except for a couple that are not in the spelling pattern.
C&Gs words- they build on their words throughout the week I do not write the words with the dashes- but I write them on the board so the ink word lines up with the /ink’ in the other words (same w/ ‘ought’)
--Ink
-Sinker
Stinking
Thinks
--ought
-Bought
thoughts
Coughing
Catch-caught
Fight-fought
Stink-stank
Ki’s words:
--Ink
-Sinker
Stinky
Thinking
-Winked
Happy
Allergy
Fluffy*
October
September*
*words chosen by Ki himself. (sequential spelling link)
Ki choose to write in his story. Mid year, last year he developed a sudden interest in writing. He has ALWAYS loved telling stories, but had not written much till then. He decided to write. He’ll write then from time to time, he’ll ask me to ‘spellcheck his work’ We live in such a computer age…LOL. If he is playing and I ask him to go do something for me- he says “ok. I’ll pause my game” like his playing with action figures or telling stories (its his favorite past time) are computer games with a pause button.
10 O’clock- Ki is writing. Gavin is showering, Connor is reading. I took a walk.
Then Math, proceeded by Leg Extensions- a Brain gym activity good to do before math.
Ki did Math Dice with 2 fractions dice. 8 addition problems and 5 subtraction problems.
With Gavin and Connor I did an algebra lesson from our Cliff Notes Book . *Changing fractions to decimals- decimals to fractions and fractions to percent. They did well.
Math class was about an 40 minutes. We were done by 11:20- Lunch Time. i hope to be finished with school by 2:30 or 3
Monday October 22, 2007
Breakfast at 8:30
School at 9.
Read to boys: Jesus Freaks
Brain Gym (Cris Crosses, water, Elephant 8s & Deep Breathing, water, Body scales, water, Hook-Ups)
Spelling. C&G copy from the board. I sit with Ki and write o ut one word at a time for him- to show how one word can be made into the next word (except for a couple that are not in the spelling pattern.
C&Gs words- they build on their words throughout the week I do not write the words with the dashes- but I write them on the board so the ink word lines up with the /ink’ in the other words (same w/ ‘ought’)
--Ink
-Sinker
Stinking
Thinks
--ought
-Bought
thoughts
Coughing
Catch-caught
Fight-fought
Stink-stank
Ki’s words:
--Ink
-Sinker
Stinky
Thinking
-Winked
Happy
Allergy
Fluffy*
October
September*
*words chosen by Ki himself. (sequential spelling link)
Ki choose to write in his story. Mid year, last year he developed a sudden interest in writing. He has ALWAYS loved telling stories, but had not written much till then. He decided to write. He’ll write then from time to time, he’ll ask me to ‘spellcheck his work’ We live in such a computer age…LOL. If he is playing and I ask him to go do something for me- he says “ok. I’ll pause my game” like his playing with action figures or telling stories (its his favorite past time) are computer games with a pause button.
10 O’clock- Ki is writing. Gavin is showering, Connor is reading. I took a walk.
Then Math, proceeded by Leg Extensions- a Brain gym activity good to do before math.
Ki did Math Dice with 2 fractions dice. 8 addition problems and 5 subtraction problems.
With Gavin and Connor I did an algebra lesson from our Cliff Notes Book . *Changing fractions to decimals- decimals to fractions and fractions to percent. They did well.
Math class was about an 40 minutes. We were done by 11:20- Lunch Time. i hope to be finished with school by 2:30 or 3
Monday, October 15, 2007
TOMBS and SLIME and FORTS
After visiting the TOMBS, we went to a fort. The fort was inside of a walled city. One would think a walled city would be set apart, self sufficient, different.... but it was not. It was even worse (poverty-wise) than the other area we were at. So dirty and stinky. Goats and chickens and cows and little naked kids everywhere.
The fort is the GOLKONDA FORT. It is pretty massive and was impenetrable, I guess. This time the others were wise enough to walk past and through the crowd of 'honkers' and beggars and 'tour guide wanna-bes'
One little old lady was walking outside the entrance wanting money. She knew we spoke English, but she didn't. She only had about 4 words she said over and over..."BABY-CHOCOLATE-GOODBYE--HELLO".. over and over and over- as she followed behind us. It's sad and as much as you want to help them, you just can't give money to ALL of them there are hundreds and hundreds of them!
One man yelled at us for not letting him is our tour guide. He said "HOW WILL YOU KNOW WHAT ANYTHING IS OR UNDERSTAND IT????"
Ummmm. read all SIGNS written in ENGLISH and read through the guidebook we brought and the pamphlet that was FREE when we got the ticket! (I think the Malaria meds are making me grumpy)
The Restroom inside the fort area wasn’t actually all that bad! It was fairly clean. A man was there and wouldn't let me go in the door that was open, he made me walk around to t a locked door and unlocked it for me- then wanted me to pay him.
WOW- the dragonfly population is just BURSTING HERE!! Hopefully they are eating all the mosquitoes and mosquito larva in all the slimy ponds and ditches!
The air is to THICK and HOT and MUGGY!
About 2/3 the way UP the many many steps to the top of the fort is a long sink attached to a old, dirty metal wall. There are two leaky dirty faucets sticking out of the wall. Above those faucets is a sign that reads:DRINKING WATER
Next to this area are 2 stinky wells, filled with slimy, stagnant, stinky, dirty water with floating trash and debris.
As thirsty as we are, we decide to wait till we go back down and buy cold, bottled, CLEAN water.
We finally arrive at the top. We are out of breath. Esp me, since my inhaler is EMPTY! There’s a breeze. Very weak and hot breeze. We take in the view. Then head back down the many many stairs.
About halfway down we see 2 boys swimming in yet another slimy, stinky, yucky pool of collected water. There are some old stone wall basins (huge, bigger than YMCA swimming pools); I guess used to collect water in the past. The water looked cool and inviting to the boys. They hopped in, in their underwear. In the nasty slime and filth! I bet they got ALL KINDS OF nasty germs in their uncircumcised parts.
As we left the fort area, the same lady followed us. She had added "GOOTCHY-GOO" to her repertoire. We ignored her (there were TOO MANY panhandlers about to even acknowledge anyone- we'd have gotten mugged). She stood next to us, repeating her litany the entire time it took for our driver to get back to us.
*For the record I loved being India! It was great. even though it sounds like I didn't like it. I really did. I was just in a grumpy mood. turns out the malria meds had me very parinoid and depressed. But I was to afraid of getting Malaria to stop them.
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The fort is the GOLKONDA FORT. It is pretty massive and was impenetrable, I guess. This time the others were wise enough to walk past and through the crowd of 'honkers' and beggars and 'tour guide wanna-bes'
One little old lady was walking outside the entrance wanting money. She knew we spoke English, but she didn't. She only had about 4 words she said over and over..."BABY-CHOCOLATE-GOODBYE--HELLO".. over and over and over- as she followed behind us. It's sad and as much as you want to help them, you just can't give money to ALL of them there are hundreds and hundreds of them!
One man yelled at us for not letting him is our tour guide. He said "HOW WILL YOU KNOW WHAT ANYTHING IS OR UNDERSTAND IT????"
Ummmm. read all SIGNS written in ENGLISH and read through the guidebook we brought and the pamphlet that was FREE when we got the ticket! (I think the Malaria meds are making me grumpy)
The Restroom inside the fort area wasn’t actually all that bad! It was fairly clean. A man was there and wouldn't let me go in the door that was open, he made me walk around to t a locked door and unlocked it for me- then wanted me to pay him.
WOW- the dragonfly population is just BURSTING HERE!! Hopefully they are eating all the mosquitoes and mosquito larva in all the slimy ponds and ditches!
The air is to THICK and HOT and MUGGY!
About 2/3 the way UP the many many steps to the top of the fort is a long sink attached to a old, dirty metal wall. There are two leaky dirty faucets sticking out of the wall. Above those faucets is a sign that reads:DRINKING WATER
Next to this area are 2 stinky wells, filled with slimy, stagnant, stinky, dirty water with floating trash and debris.
As thirsty as we are, we decide to wait till we go back down and buy cold, bottled, CLEAN water.
We finally arrive at the top. We are out of breath. Esp me, since my inhaler is EMPTY! There’s a breeze. Very weak and hot breeze. We take in the view. Then head back down the many many stairs.
About halfway down we see 2 boys swimming in yet another slimy, stinky, yucky pool of collected water. There are some old stone wall basins (huge, bigger than YMCA swimming pools); I guess used to collect water in the past. The water looked cool and inviting to the boys. They hopped in, in their underwear. In the nasty slime and filth! I bet they got ALL KINDS OF nasty germs in their uncircumcised parts.
As we left the fort area, the same lady followed us. She had added "GOOTCHY-GOO" to her repertoire. We ignored her (there were TOO MANY panhandlers about to even acknowledge anyone- we'd have gotten mugged). She stood next to us, repeating her litany the entire time it took for our driver to get back to us.
*For the record I loved being India! It was great. even though it sounds like I didn't like it. I really did. I was just in a grumpy mood. turns out the malria meds had me very parinoid and depressed. But I was to afraid of getting Malaria to stop them.
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Saturday, October 13, 2007
QUTUBS!! (India #10)
SATURDAY- 9-29-07- We went to QUTUB SHAHI tombs. 7 tombs of 7 kings in the QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY. We had a few hours before our flight from Hyderabad to New Delhi, so we did some sight seeing. The driver dropped us off at the entrance. There was a huge wall with 'poor man's barbed wire'; broken glass cemented all along the top. There was a fee to get in, of course, and also a fee for taking a camera! Luckily 50 Rupees is only about $1.30.
As we come around a turn in the path I hear a multitude of birds, singing and fluttering. PARROTS. How cool.. Parrots in the wild.. They were flying to the tomb. It had a lot of good places for a bird to sit and rest, apparently.
As we were going up a little path to get a view of the tomb, peeking through the flowering trees, a man calls to us and says (in broken English) "No, not there. No. Come here. Don't go that way. Come this way. "
Fearing we were not allowed on that particular path, we go to where he is, close the the front of the first tomb. He has a key (or so it appears- who knows, it was probably already unlocked and he just 'had a key' for appearances). He 'let us in the door' and told us about the tomb and the king. The others nodded and asked questions or made remarks. I could not understand a SINGLE WORD that guy said! I wonder if they could or if they were just acting polite.
This tomb looked all alone, but done the bend and past another flock of parrots was TOMB CITY! The rest of the 7 tombs and a garden (not kept up totally well, but I hear that they are just starting to do a lot of work on a lot of their 'tourist sights')
I like to explore on my own. This man was follwing us, trying to lead us. I kinda went where I wanted. Jen and Michelle followed him and Brian did a bit of both. I found the man to be quite annoying; interrupting my quite walk of exploration and I could barely make out anything he was saying. It was easier to READ THE SIGNS.which were in 2 languages- that's fun.
About 3/4 the way through the place, this man asked for his $250 rupees. Payment for being a tour guide. I never hired him. I never wanted him telling me where to go or about this or that tomb. I couldn't even understand him. I didn't even talk to him about anything the entire time. So I left Jen and Michelle and Brian to deal with him. I learned early on to pretend I didn't even hear the people who begged me to buy their wares if I wasn't interested. And I am good at 'being in my own wold', so people leave me alone quickly.
Michelle offered the man $100 ruppees. He refused it! I guess he basically said "250 rupees or NOTHING." I am like "Cool. It's nothing." and would have gone on and ignored him. Michelle tried to talk him into taking the 100 Rs.
The man then tried to hit Brian up for the 250 Rs. He also offered 100 Rs , which was also refused. He sounded upset. Like we had stolen merchandise from his Jewelry store and he was gonna call the cops to make sure he got payment.
Then hits Jen for the 250 Rs. They were all holding 100Rs out to him and he kept saying no, they owed him 250. I told them put their money back in their pockets if he wasn't going to take it.
I think he ended-up taking 100 from Brian and 100 from either Jen or Michelle.
Here are some more pictures:
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MALaria (India #9)
I seem to have skipped writing much Thursday. Just that it was chilly in the morning and about 93F by 10AM. Also that the running joke is that Jen is pregnant (her Malaria Meds give her Morning Sickness)
Here is what I recall from Thursday and Friday.
*The security at the conference is a joke. Only 3 of the 4 doors have guards and at two of those they never even turn the metal detectors on or check bags or anything. The one door they actually do body pat downs and bag searches, though. So, if you want to avoid the hassle, just use the 2nd floor entrance. there are no guards at all.
There are 3 exhibit halls out back behind the hotel. They have a fence around most of it, with 2 guards. And also with a PVC piping arch- that has wires- to be a metal detector, that is never turned on. And the guards don't even seem to look at anyone. they are eating, chatting or sleeping. There is a guard and metal detector in the Exhibit Halls, too. No one cares about the Food Hall. But I went to one of the exhibit halls that had a Internet Lounge in the back. The guard at the door stopped me and asked where my badge was. I do not have a badge, as I am just a wife. My husband, of course, has a badge. I told the guards I wasn't wearing one. (I did not lie. I did not say I forgot mine or anything like that.) He said "OK" and waved me inside and said I was fine. Good thing for them I wasn't a terrorist.
*Thursday we talked of going out to dinner and shopping. But there meetings seemed to go late, so the gang *Hubby, Me, Jen, Michelle* decided to go out Friday.
*Friday. I don't remember much. We did go out to dinner. I honestly forget where we ended up eating.
* we went to a little seller colony one of the days. a bunch of tent type 'stores' with locals selling their wares. Claiming they were of a quality that they obviously weren't. But I bought a necklace for my mom and earrings for me. And Jen, Michelle and I had Mehndi done on our hands.
Sorry, Guys, that's all I remember.
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Here is what I recall from Thursday and Friday.
*The security at the conference is a joke. Only 3 of the 4 doors have guards and at two of those they never even turn the metal detectors on or check bags or anything. The one door they actually do body pat downs and bag searches, though. So, if you want to avoid the hassle, just use the 2nd floor entrance. there are no guards at all.
There are 3 exhibit halls out back behind the hotel. They have a fence around most of it, with 2 guards. And also with a PVC piping arch- that has wires- to be a metal detector, that is never turned on. And the guards don't even seem to look at anyone. they are eating, chatting or sleeping. There is a guard and metal detector in the Exhibit Halls, too. No one cares about the Food Hall. But I went to one of the exhibit halls that had a Internet Lounge in the back. The guard at the door stopped me and asked where my badge was. I do not have a badge, as I am just a wife. My husband, of course, has a badge. I told the guards I wasn't wearing one. (I did not lie. I did not say I forgot mine or anything like that.) He said "OK" and waved me inside and said I was fine. Good thing for them I wasn't a terrorist.
*Thursday we talked of going out to dinner and shopping. But there meetings seemed to go late, so the gang *Hubby, Me, Jen, Michelle* decided to go out Friday.
*Friday. I don't remember much. We did go out to dinner. I honestly forget where we ended up eating.
* we went to a little seller colony one of the days. a bunch of tent type 'stores' with locals selling their wares. Claiming they were of a quality that they obviously weren't. But I bought a necklace for my mom and earrings for me. And Jen, Michelle and I had Mehndi done on our hands.
Sorry, Guys, that's all I remember.
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Thursday, October 11, 2007
DUNK YOUR GANESH
WEDNESDAY-Finally made it to Hyderabad, got to sleep in a nice hotel with my hubby and use a SHOWER and real toilet! (I was in China for 2 weeks and didn't use a real toilet, but that doesn't mean I'm used to it and like it)
After our complimentary breakfast, Brian took me with him on his Photo Walk. He was in search of insects. He likes to photograph insects. He found a black and yellow centipede of which that he took about 20 million photographs. Some pretty butterflies and red dragonflies were also the subject of many pictures. And there was the weird looking bumble bee that was way over photographed!
I do not have a clearance badge, so I was not allowed in the part of the hotel where all the meetings and conferences are being held- which is also where the internet cafe is located.
Yesterday was a big day in Hyderabad. It was "dunk your idol in the Lake Day'. Not just any idol, but the GANESH idol. The elephant headed god. Story goes; his dad accidentally cut off his head and vowed to cut the head off the 1st animal he saw when he stepped outside and to replace his son's head with the head of this animal. If he could put a cut animal head on his headless kid, why couldn't he just stick the kid's own head back on his neck?
So, the roads were crowed and closed off to traffic. For this reason, there were many cancelled meetings at the hotel, as about 1/3 or more of the conferences were from a hotel across town,
I went shopping with Alia today. She bought a lot of little ganesh statues as gifts. Alia is here in India with he husband, who is also attending the conference. He is lawyer though (Space policy lawyer). She has lived in the USA for 2 years. She is from Mexico. She is about 25. They don't have kids. And have plenty of money, it would seem! I accompanied her to a tailor in town. She was having half a wardrobe sewn for herself it seemed. 3 silk shirts, a blouse, a jacket, a sari and a few other pieces. Her husband had 2 wool suits being made. She tried on a few things , mainly her sari.
After the tailors, her driver took us to a temple. We had to take our shoes off and check them. No cameras or cell phones were allowed either. No chewing gum or foods allowed in our purse. This was a polytheistic temple. all through the temple with different idols. There were walkways to go up to the idol, bow, make the appropriate funny hand signs and get a mark on your forehead. I had no desire to do so, but it was interesting to walk around and see it all.
I have been having some mild asthma stuff since yesterday. The air is so muggy and polluted here! I could barely breath at the tailors- which was on the 3rd floor of a skinny building. I tried my inhaler after I got out and to my surprise I discovered it was empty. oh great. I breath long and deep through my nose. At the temple it is worse as I am climbing all these stairs. I had to sit down a couple times and it was all I could do to breath without a major panic attack. I felt like I was suffocating. I tried my inhaler again- hoping the fumes would at least do SOMETHING. Then when we got out I bought a cold COKE. The cold liquid and the caffeine and the AC in the car helped a lot.. Tomorrow I will stay in my nice A/C hotel room all day!
I don't think I have jet lag. I landed here Tuesday, rested a bit, went to bed on time (around 10) and woke at 5AM. that is a little early, but really not early enough to be jetlag I don't think. I didn't have a jetlag problem going to China (or coming home) either. Brian always gets jetlag for a week.
here is a picture from outside the tailor shop:
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After our complimentary breakfast, Brian took me with him on his Photo Walk. He was in search of insects. He likes to photograph insects. He found a black and yellow centipede of which that he took about 20 million photographs. Some pretty butterflies and red dragonflies were also the subject of many pictures. And there was the weird looking bumble bee that was way over photographed!
I do not have a clearance badge, so I was not allowed in the part of the hotel where all the meetings and conferences are being held- which is also where the internet cafe is located.
Yesterday was a big day in Hyderabad. It was "dunk your idol in the Lake Day'. Not just any idol, but the GANESH idol. The elephant headed god. Story goes; his dad accidentally cut off his head and vowed to cut the head off the 1st animal he saw when he stepped outside and to replace his son's head with the head of this animal. If he could put a cut animal head on his headless kid, why couldn't he just stick the kid's own head back on his neck?
So, the roads were crowed and closed off to traffic. For this reason, there were many cancelled meetings at the hotel, as about 1/3 or more of the conferences were from a hotel across town,
I went shopping with Alia today. She bought a lot of little ganesh statues as gifts. Alia is here in India with he husband, who is also attending the conference. He is lawyer though (Space policy lawyer). She has lived in the USA for 2 years. She is from Mexico. She is about 25. They don't have kids. And have plenty of money, it would seem! I accompanied her to a tailor in town. She was having half a wardrobe sewn for herself it seemed. 3 silk shirts, a blouse, a jacket, a sari and a few other pieces. Her husband had 2 wool suits being made. She tried on a few things , mainly her sari.
After the tailors, her driver took us to a temple. We had to take our shoes off and check them. No cameras or cell phones were allowed either. No chewing gum or foods allowed in our purse. This was a polytheistic temple. all through the temple with different idols. There were walkways to go up to the idol, bow, make the appropriate funny hand signs and get a mark on your forehead. I had no desire to do so, but it was interesting to walk around and see it all.
I have been having some mild asthma stuff since yesterday. The air is so muggy and polluted here! I could barely breath at the tailors- which was on the 3rd floor of a skinny building. I tried my inhaler after I got out and to my surprise I discovered it was empty. oh great. I breath long and deep through my nose. At the temple it is worse as I am climbing all these stairs. I had to sit down a couple times and it was all I could do to breath without a major panic attack. I felt like I was suffocating. I tried my inhaler again- hoping the fumes would at least do SOMETHING. Then when we got out I bought a cold COKE. The cold liquid and the caffeine and the AC in the car helped a lot.. Tomorrow I will stay in my nice A/C hotel room all day!
I don't think I have jet lag. I landed here Tuesday, rested a bit, went to bed on time (around 10) and woke at 5AM. that is a little early, but really not early enough to be jetlag I don't think. I didn't have a jetlag problem going to China (or coming home) either. Brian always gets jetlag for a week.
here is a picture from outside the tailor shop:
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Tuesday, October 9, 2007
India #7
Driving through Hyderabad I see a billboard about "Stop Foeticide" and "National Girl Day". Killing female fetuses is a problem in India. Gendercide. I wonder if gendercide is a real word?
--As we drive through the entrance to the hotel in Hyderabad, the guards stop the car, look at all the passports, look in the trunk and use a mirror on a pole to look under the car's chassis. Interesting.
Well, it is a NICE hotel. I pretty much go up and go to bed and just lay around and watch TV.
On the news:
Burma Monks march in protest against the government.- what a somber protest march.
Head scarves banned for females in Kosovo schools (one girl expelled for wearing her religions head scarf)- weird
Anorexic BillBoard Model poses with the purpose of shedding light on the disorder and stopping the practice of having models be to rail thin. Won't that just make more girls say--'wow, that's how thin I want to be..look- she is famous and rich for being anorexic'
The Asian Skin lightening cream controversy (Bollywood)- funny- they lighten their skin and we all run to tanning booths to look darker..LOL.
and the village that got in trouble for trying to eat a giraffe. Yes, giraffes are cute and all, but these people are enduring a famine and are starving! Maybe they should have been allowed to kill and eat the giraffe.
Brian gets back from his meetings and discuss the plans for the week. I show him some pics of the boys playing Paintball. (while he was already in India and I was still in Ohio)
The shower stall has a curved glass door that only goes across 2/3 the tub, so water sprays out in the floor. It is supposed to be a neat modern look- but it is not a good idea.
and what is up with all the hand held faucets next to the toilets with the little bucket and drain? Do people use those??? I probably don't want to know.. I am just glad to have a clean, functioning bathroom with soft TP at my every beck and call..LOL
India Posts: India Post #1 --- India Post #2 ---India Post #3 ---India Post #4--- India Post #5 --- India #6 ---India #7 --- India #8 --- India #9 --- India #10 --- India #11 --- India #12 --- India post #13))
--As we drive through the entrance to the hotel in Hyderabad, the guards stop the car, look at all the passports, look in the trunk and use a mirror on a pole to look under the car's chassis. Interesting.
Well, it is a NICE hotel. I pretty much go up and go to bed and just lay around and watch TV.
On the news:
Burma Monks march in protest against the government.- what a somber protest march.
Head scarves banned for females in Kosovo schools (one girl expelled for wearing her religions head scarf)- weird
Anorexic BillBoard Model poses with the purpose of shedding light on the disorder and stopping the practice of having models be to rail thin. Won't that just make more girls say--'wow, that's how thin I want to be..look- she is famous and rich for being anorexic'
The Asian Skin lightening cream controversy (Bollywood)- funny- they lighten their skin and we all run to tanning booths to look darker..LOL.
and the village that got in trouble for trying to eat a giraffe. Yes, giraffes are cute and all, but these people are enduring a famine and are starving! Maybe they should have been allowed to kill and eat the giraffe.
Brian gets back from his meetings and discuss the plans for the week. I show him some pics of the boys playing Paintball. (while he was already in India and I was still in Ohio)
The shower stall has a curved glass door that only goes across 2/3 the tub, so water sprays out in the floor. It is supposed to be a neat modern look- but it is not a good idea.
and what is up with all the hand held faucets next to the toilets with the little bucket and drain? Do people use those??? I probably don't want to know.. I am just glad to have a clean, functioning bathroom with soft TP at my every beck and call..LOL
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India Post #6
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The lady behind the curtain wearing surgical gloves, motions for me. I swear if there is a body cavity search I am never going on any trips with my husband again and he owes me BIG TIME…. not sure what. but I will be SO MAD. If I refuse a strip search will she shoot me?
I take a deep breath, walk around the curtain and step up on the little dais as indicated. She tell me (via demonstration) to lift my arms. Then she reached down under the table to get something.
She comes at me with an innocent hand held metal detector and scans me up and down, then does a quick hand pat- nothing too invasive.
She waves me off and I collect my carry-on luggage.
I dose off and on during the flight. It is a much nicer puddle jumper airplane than in the US. The stewardess are so kind and helpful and nice and dressed all perfectly pressed. The seats and aisles are bigger and there is food and snacks on the small flight! In the US. It seems if the flight is less than 5 hours there is no food. I got a full tray snack (lots of different goodies) and a full tray breakfast! Maybe this India thing won’t be as scary as it seems up to now.
I land and as I go to collect my bags, I am greeted by a Indian man who is dressed nicely. He says I must be Mrs Terrill and where are my bags and my husband is here with him and they will drive me to the hotel. He takes my one little red suitcase and I carry my backpack. It is really Gavin’s backpack from 1st grade. It’s small and mostly empty, sans my purse and a book. I brought it to have room to bring gifts home.
He was quick and decisive and walked briskly to the doors and his English was very broken- so I didn’t bother to ask to go potty first… just crossed my legs and prayed for a short drive.
There is my Brian in the other side of the gate! WOW- he is such a great sight!!! I feel I can breathe now.
The lady behind the curtain wearing surgical gloves, motions for me. I swear if there is a body cavity search I am never going on any trips with my husband again and he owes me BIG TIME…. not sure what. but I will be SO MAD. If I refuse a strip search will she shoot me?
I take a deep breath, walk around the curtain and step up on the little dais as indicated. She tell me (via demonstration) to lift my arms. Then she reached down under the table to get something.
She comes at me with an innocent hand held metal detector and scans me up and down, then does a quick hand pat- nothing too invasive.
She waves me off and I collect my carry-on luggage.
I dose off and on during the flight. It is a much nicer puddle jumper airplane than in the US. The stewardess are so kind and helpful and nice and dressed all perfectly pressed. The seats and aisles are bigger and there is food and snacks on the small flight! In the US. It seems if the flight is less than 5 hours there is no food. I got a full tray snack (lots of different goodies) and a full tray breakfast! Maybe this India thing won’t be as scary as it seems up to now.
I land and as I go to collect my bags, I am greeted by a Indian man who is dressed nicely. He says I must be Mrs Terrill and where are my bags and my husband is here with him and they will drive me to the hotel. He takes my one little red suitcase and I carry my backpack. It is really Gavin’s backpack from 1st grade. It’s small and mostly empty, sans my purse and a book. I brought it to have room to bring gifts home.
He was quick and decisive and walked briskly to the doors and his English was very broken- so I didn’t bother to ask to go potty first… just crossed my legs and prayed for a short drive.
There is my Brian in the other side of the gate! WOW- he is such a great sight!!! I feel I can breathe now.
INDIA POST #5
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at almost 2 AM a man comes over the bench I am resting/sitting on. He was sitting on a bench across and over from me. There was a young college-age guy next to him. There was no one else on my bench. The man kinda points to the bench with the young guy and mumbles something about me moving. he said I am only one and the guy there is only one, but he and his wife are two and want the bench. It was pretty choppy. I'm not complaining. I am more than impressed with anyone who can speak more than 1 or 2 languages, even if one of them is 'just choppy'. So this man seems to say he wants me to sit on the bench next to the young guy, so he and his wife can be together on that bench. So I oblige. Afterall, I am just one and the bench is for two or 3. So I gather my bags and move. The man sits on the bench and his wife comes over. He talks to her, points away and lays down on the bench. She leaves. It seems he did NOT want the bench to sit with his wife, as he said, but to have a bench to himself so he could lie down and sleep.
around 4 I go to the ticket counter for Jetways. I is open and there is a line, so I use the automated machine. Now, the automated teller machine for printing tickets was there and ON last night, but the guard wouldn't let me use it, becuase the ticket counter was not open. I use the automated machine and print my ticket. Then they have to X-Ray my bags. Yes, the did them last night, but no one marked them and I went back to the waiting area b/c they could take the bags anywhere- so why'd they have to Xray them last night? So I hand them my bag and tell them my camera is in my carry one and I was switching it. the sign said NO cameras or batteried (other stuff) allowed in carry-ons. They told me I was fine and not to bother with it. "It's ok. You're OK" I pointed to the sign about the camera in the carry on. Again thinking I might get thrown in a 3rd world jail for a mis-understanding. He assures me it is fine and sends my suitcase through. I offer the carry-on, so it can be Xrayed. he says no; It's fine. Now it has NOT been marked to indicate it has already been through and I could have gone back OUT of the airport and done who knows what since it was x-rayed the night before. But that is fine with him. he sends me through with my suitcases and un-x-rayed purse and carry-on. Then I have to go through a x-ray sensor. the women go through a separate line. As I walk to the entrance for the women's side I see the female guard going behind the curtain and putting on rubber gloves. O.K. I am scared now. Why does she need surgical gloves to have me walk through a metal detector? PLEASE tell me there will NOT be a body search!
at almost 2 AM a man comes over the bench I am resting/sitting on. He was sitting on a bench across and over from me. There was a young college-age guy next to him. There was no one else on my bench. The man kinda points to the bench with the young guy and mumbles something about me moving. he said I am only one and the guy there is only one, but he and his wife are two and want the bench. It was pretty choppy. I'm not complaining. I am more than impressed with anyone who can speak more than 1 or 2 languages, even if one of them is 'just choppy'. So this man seems to say he wants me to sit on the bench next to the young guy, so he and his wife can be together on that bench. So I oblige. Afterall, I am just one and the bench is for two or 3. So I gather my bags and move. The man sits on the bench and his wife comes over. He talks to her, points away and lays down on the bench. She leaves. It seems he did NOT want the bench to sit with his wife, as he said, but to have a bench to himself so he could lie down and sleep.
around 4 I go to the ticket counter for Jetways. I is open and there is a line, so I use the automated machine. Now, the automated teller machine for printing tickets was there and ON last night, but the guard wouldn't let me use it, becuase the ticket counter was not open. I use the automated machine and print my ticket. Then they have to X-Ray my bags. Yes, the did them last night, but no one marked them and I went back to the waiting area b/c they could take the bags anywhere- so why'd they have to Xray them last night? So I hand them my bag and tell them my camera is in my carry one and I was switching it. the sign said NO cameras or batteried (other stuff) allowed in carry-ons. They told me I was fine and not to bother with it. "It's ok. You're OK" I pointed to the sign about the camera in the carry on. Again thinking I might get thrown in a 3rd world jail for a mis-understanding. He assures me it is fine and sends my suitcase through. I offer the carry-on, so it can be Xrayed. he says no; It's fine. Now it has NOT been marked to indicate it has already been through and I could have gone back OUT of the airport and done who knows what since it was x-rayed the night before. But that is fine with him. he sends me through with my suitcases and un-x-rayed purse and carry-on. Then I have to go through a x-ray sensor. the women go through a separate line. As I walk to the entrance for the women's side I see the female guard going behind the curtain and putting on rubber gloves. O.K. I am scared now. Why does she need surgical gloves to have me walk through a metal detector? PLEASE tell me there will NOT be a body search!
Monday, October 8, 2007
INDIA POST #4
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Part 4 starts with the end of my flight to New Delhi, India. After about 15 hours in the air, my plane lands in India around 8PM. I do NOT like going through foreign airports alone. Europeans aren't as bad, but these ones in places like China and India are just awful. I am always afraid I have ticked a wrong box on a form or they ask me a question and I can't understand them and they detain me with their armed military guards and I have no idea why or where or how long because I can;t understand them. And I cant get a hold of my husband or call home. I think of that Tom Hanks movie where he is stuck in an airport for all those years... but here, they carry guns and speak a language I don't understand and there is only one dirty toilet.
After I find my way through customs and they do not take my 'deer trapped in the headlights' look to mean I am a terrorist, I tried to turn and enter the room/passage marked 'inter-terminal'. A guard wearing military uniform and carrying a gun told me I was not allowed. I do not argue with gun toting, foreign speak military. Even when they speak the same language that I speak, I do not argue or try to prove my correctness. They scare me. Once, I was meeting Brian on base for a picnic. I had the 3 kids in the van. I finally find the place. It is on a different section of base and I don't do well with driving on new roads to new places and I missed mt turn and had to go back already. so I was already panicky. Then the A.F. Guard with his gun stops me and asks for my ID. I show him. He says. "I have to take this. It is expired. You have to leave. you can go to 'such and such' entrance and apply for a new pass." that's it. All I heard was "I have to take this--You have to leave" He took my Base I.D. Pass and stood there with his gun at his side. I just want to see my husband! He's not in a building, so I can't have them call him. So I turn around past the barb wire and concrete wall, back onto the road and look for the 'such and such entrance'. I am crying. I am lost and can't get to my husband and the man with a gun won't let me in. I find the entrance and call my husband on my cell phone (can't talk on the cell while driving while on base. I'm not gonna do anything illegal, esp with the armed gaurd there) and tell him the guard took my ID card and he has to come get me. He does. He's all non-chalant like it's no big deal. but I was a basket case.
So I just walk away from the India Gun Guard. I go through my bags and find my email confirmation for my domestic flight. I go back and show the guard. he lets me pass. The man in the bus pick up area tells me there are no more buses until tomorrow.I was going to just wait in the waiting room. He told me I couldn't and needed to take a taxi to the domestic flights airport. He waves a taxi for me, gets in the front, talks to the driver then turns to me and says "you pay now.' I asked how much and could have sworn he said 45 dollars. I told him American dollars, not rupees and he said 45$. I gave him $50- for a tip for the driver. He took it all and left the car, so I had to tip the driver still.
The driver asked when my flight was and insisted I get a hotel. I told him I did not need a hotel.I would stay at the airport and wait. (my flight was at about 5AM). He kept saying I need a hotel and he would book a room for me, etc..... I told him No Hotel. He turned at the intersection; away from the sign that pointed to TERMINALS. I asked him if it was the way to the airport. He assures me it is and that he'd book a hotel room for me when we got there. I told him I did not want a hotel. a little ways down the road he turns into a little parking lot. I ask if it is the airport (It looked like a crummy hotel to me). He told me it was my hotel and he opened the car door and started to get out to book a room. I told him "I do not want a hotel. Take me to the airport now." He did, but was not happy. He lost out on that commission.
The he talks a bit. He asks me if I am a Christian. I guess he figures most Americans are... I tell him "Yes." He then informs me. "I am Hindu." what does a person say to that? "Oh, that's nice." just didn't seem right; neither does "So, how's that working out for you?" So I said nothing. (I don't always do well with social situations)
He gets me to the airport and asks for his tip. Whatever, dude. I gave him a few dollars.
I walk into the airport and they tell me the ticket counter is closed and I won't be able-to get my ticket (from my confirmation email) until the morning. They put my luggage through the x-ray machine and hands it back.
I set the alarm on my grand new kid's watch and hope it works. I lay-down on a bench and hope no one mugs me in my sleep. The room is brightly lit, the television is blaring, the intercom keeps erupting with information and instructions in both Hindi and English. Soon a hear a child screaming and running and more people come lay on the benches. I dozed for about 30 minutes, but can't really sleep. more and more noises. more and more people. Mostly men. One sits right across from me and I feel like he is staring through me. I had my hat over my face, but could see through the weave. I finally just sit up and wait for 4AM so I can see if the ticket counter is open and get my ticket and check in.
Part 4 starts with the end of my flight to New Delhi, India. After about 15 hours in the air, my plane lands in India around 8PM. I do NOT like going through foreign airports alone. Europeans aren't as bad, but these ones in places like China and India are just awful. I am always afraid I have ticked a wrong box on a form or they ask me a question and I can't understand them and they detain me with their armed military guards and I have no idea why or where or how long because I can;t understand them. And I cant get a hold of my husband or call home. I think of that Tom Hanks movie where he is stuck in an airport for all those years... but here, they carry guns and speak a language I don't understand and there is only one dirty toilet.
After I find my way through customs and they do not take my 'deer trapped in the headlights' look to mean I am a terrorist, I tried to turn and enter the room/passage marked 'inter-terminal'. A guard wearing military uniform and carrying a gun told me I was not allowed. I do not argue with gun toting, foreign speak military. Even when they speak the same language that I speak, I do not argue or try to prove my correctness. They scare me. Once, I was meeting Brian on base for a picnic. I had the 3 kids in the van. I finally find the place. It is on a different section of base and I don't do well with driving on new roads to new places and I missed mt turn and had to go back already. so I was already panicky. Then the A.F. Guard with his gun stops me and asks for my ID. I show him. He says. "I have to take this. It is expired. You have to leave. you can go to 'such and such' entrance and apply for a new pass." that's it. All I heard was "I have to take this--You have to leave" He took my Base I.D. Pass and stood there with his gun at his side. I just want to see my husband! He's not in a building, so I can't have them call him. So I turn around past the barb wire and concrete wall, back onto the road and look for the 'such and such entrance'. I am crying. I am lost and can't get to my husband and the man with a gun won't let me in. I find the entrance and call my husband on my cell phone (can't talk on the cell while driving while on base. I'm not gonna do anything illegal, esp with the armed gaurd there) and tell him the guard took my ID card and he has to come get me. He does. He's all non-chalant like it's no big deal. but I was a basket case.
So I just walk away from the India Gun Guard. I go through my bags and find my email confirmation for my domestic flight. I go back and show the guard. he lets me pass. The man in the bus pick up area tells me there are no more buses until tomorrow.I was going to just wait in the waiting room. He told me I couldn't and needed to take a taxi to the domestic flights airport. He waves a taxi for me, gets in the front, talks to the driver then turns to me and says "you pay now.' I asked how much and could have sworn he said 45 dollars. I told him American dollars, not rupees and he said 45$. I gave him $50- for a tip for the driver. He took it all and left the car, so I had to tip the driver still.
The driver asked when my flight was and insisted I get a hotel. I told him I did not need a hotel.I would stay at the airport and wait. (my flight was at about 5AM). He kept saying I need a hotel and he would book a room for me, etc..... I told him No Hotel. He turned at the intersection; away from the sign that pointed to TERMINALS. I asked him if it was the way to the airport. He assures me it is and that he'd book a hotel room for me when we got there. I told him I did not want a hotel. a little ways down the road he turns into a little parking lot. I ask if it is the airport (It looked like a crummy hotel to me). He told me it was my hotel and he opened the car door and started to get out to book a room. I told him "I do not want a hotel. Take me to the airport now." He did, but was not happy. He lost out on that commission.
The he talks a bit. He asks me if I am a Christian. I guess he figures most Americans are... I tell him "Yes." He then informs me. "I am Hindu." what does a person say to that? "Oh, that's nice." just didn't seem right; neither does "So, how's that working out for you?" So I said nothing. (I don't always do well with social situations)
He gets me to the airport and asks for his tip. Whatever, dude. I gave him a few dollars.
I walk into the airport and they tell me the ticket counter is closed and I won't be able-to get my ticket (from my confirmation email) until the morning. They put my luggage through the x-ray machine and hands it back.
I set the alarm on my grand new kid's watch and hope it works. I lay-down on a bench and hope no one mugs me in my sleep. The room is brightly lit, the television is blaring, the intercom keeps erupting with information and instructions in both Hindi and English. Soon a hear a child screaming and running and more people come lay on the benches. I dozed for about 30 minutes, but can't really sleep. more and more noises. more and more people. Mostly men. One sits right across from me and I feel like he is staring through me. I had my hat over my face, but could see through the weave. I finally just sit up and wait for 4AM so I can see if the ticket counter is open and get my ticket and check in.
INDIA POST #3
last left you with the strong tailwind that got me to my connecting flight on time. (check past entries for the 1st two Flight to India posts)
The departure gate was very crowded. 95% appeared to be homeward bound India Residents.They were all crowded at the gate. They were pushing in and trying to board first. But first class boards first and very few of them were 1st class. The 1st class folks could barely break through the congestion to board. The attendant kept telling them to move back and used hand and arm motions. They just stood there. She ended up almost yelling at them to get them to stop crowding and pushing. They only took a couple steps back. But their wall was loser and people were able to squeeze through when it was their turn to board. I finally board. I have a window seat. I don't like window seats; esp after a big Caramel Latte. I'll be asking the man to move many times to visit the airplanes facilities.
I am by the window. The man in the aisle seat is named Oscar. There is an empty seat between us. Oscar is a German Jew whose parents moved to Honduras-where he was born. When he was about 16 his family relocated to America. How ironic is that! To have an aisle partner from HONDURAS! I told him a little about Manuel. Oscar knew the village Manuel lives in, too.He said it is a very small, poor village. He told me Honduras was doing better financially/economically when America set up a few factories and businesses down there. Things really started to turn around and look-up. Then Honduras bought those businesses from America and they all went downhill and so did the economy.
Wow- this plane is HUGE! Each seat has it's own little TV screen (in the back of the seat in front of it). I wonder what FIRST CLASS has!
I have not decided which is worse...Takeoffs or Touchdowns.I hate those Gs on take off, but I really hate those backwards Gs on touchdown. but on Touchdown I am safe on the ground.
Oscar told me he is glad he has someone to talk to on the plane.When he flies with his wife, she sleeps the whole flight. Funny... that was MY plan,too.
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The departure gate was very crowded. 95% appeared to be homeward bound India Residents.They were all crowded at the gate. They were pushing in and trying to board first. But first class boards first and very few of them were 1st class. The 1st class folks could barely break through the congestion to board. The attendant kept telling them to move back and used hand and arm motions. They just stood there. She ended up almost yelling at them to get them to stop crowding and pushing. They only took a couple steps back. But their wall was loser and people were able to squeeze through when it was their turn to board. I finally board. I have a window seat. I don't like window seats; esp after a big Caramel Latte. I'll be asking the man to move many times to visit the airplanes facilities.
I am by the window. The man in the aisle seat is named Oscar. There is an empty seat between us. Oscar is a German Jew whose parents moved to Honduras-where he was born. When he was about 16 his family relocated to America. How ironic is that! To have an aisle partner from HONDURAS! I told him a little about Manuel. Oscar knew the village Manuel lives in, too.He said it is a very small, poor village. He told me Honduras was doing better financially/economically when America set up a few factories and businesses down there. Things really started to turn around and look-up. Then Honduras bought those businesses from America and they all went downhill and so did the economy.
Wow- this plane is HUGE! Each seat has it's own little TV screen (in the back of the seat in front of it). I wonder what FIRST CLASS has!
I have not decided which is worse...Takeoffs or Touchdowns.I hate those Gs on take off, but I really hate those backwards Gs on touchdown. but on Touchdown I am safe on the ground.
Oscar told me he is glad he has someone to talk to on the plane.When he flies with his wife, she sleeps the whole flight. Funny... that was MY plan,too.
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India Post #2
this will be short, I don;t have much time left at the Internet lounge... so here is a quick second installment (read previous for part one)
The man across the aisle from me (and up one) has his seatbelt buckled, as all passengers should at this time while the light is still on, But he has it loose. there is a good 6 inches slack. If the plane were to suddenly fall from the sky, he'd slam into the overhead compartment and bang around a bit; dying from injuries obtained. Unlike the rest of who are snuggly belted in and would die suddenly upon impact.
You will be happy to know that God sent a strong tailwind, and though the plane departed a good 40 minutes late, it arrived only 15 minutes late! So there was time for both Starbucks and the restroom.
*********************
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----kimberly (In India)
The man across the aisle from me (and up one) has his seatbelt buckled, as all passengers should at this time while the light is still on, But he has it loose. there is a good 6 inches slack. If the plane were to suddenly fall from the sky, he'd slam into the overhead compartment and bang around a bit; dying from injuries obtained. Unlike the rest of who are snuggly belted in and would die suddenly upon impact.
You will be happy to know that God sent a strong tailwind, and though the plane departed a good 40 minutes late, it arrived only 15 minutes late! So there was time for both Starbucks and the restroom.
*********************
India Posts: India Post #1 --- India Post #2 ---India Post #3 ---India Post #4--- India Post #5 --- India #6 ---India #7 --- India #8 --- India #9 --- India #10 --- India #11 --- India #12 --- India post #13))
----kimberly (In India)
My first day -Flight to India
SUNDAY 6PM Sept 23, 2007
My flight was delayed. I was called to the desk and told there was a chance I'd miss my connecting fight from Newark to Dehli. Which means I'd miss my flight from New Dehli to Hyderabad. with no way of calling Brian to let him know I'd not be there when he sent the car to retrieve me.The flight from Dehli to Hyderabad is a different airway. a domestic India airline who maynot let me switch flights without a fee.
Commence anxiety attack. Foreign 3rd world country by myself on the wrong day with no one to know when to come. I think I almost cried. I did lots of deep breathing.
I board the tiny connecting airplane and can hardly breath. It is so small and I am in a window seat- which means trapped between the wall and man.I keep thinking about my inhaler. I try to relax. I hate using it. it makes me so jittery! I hate flying. It makes me dizzy. But I can usually sleep well. But it decreases my jet lag to have all that sleep. (I almost nevr have jet lag)
We have to wait at the end of the runway forever. I hate that too...stuck in a tiny airplane waiting for the delay to end.
We get up in the air and I have 1/2 a glass of orange juice and turn my little AC blower on high and right in my face. I start to feel better.Why is not called 'a plastic of orange juice'? I guess I could say I had half a cup- but that might make you think I had exactly 4 ounces. It was more like 2 ounces I bet. I slipped it slowly.
The stewardess handed out 2 little bags of peanuts to everyone. I think this is the first flight I have been on that handed out peanuts. It is always a pretzel mix. I wonder if they check the flight registry for peanut allergies before they decide which to distribute.
I settle in and observe the other passengers. most of them rip open the bags and eat by the handful, or even just dump the bag straight into their mouths. I sit and eat mine one at a time and think about it. I savor the honey coating before chewing the peanut to get the most of the flavor. The others are eating, but don't seem to even pay attention to their eating as they read or type away on their laptops.
They guzzle their juice with the same greedy speed.
I wonder how they can even taste their food when it barely has time to touch their taste buds before it's down the throat. I think part of eating
---- wind turbulance--
is enjoying the flavor as a complete eating experience.I think we often eat so quickly we don't have time to taste and smell, we are left feeling not fully satisfied. Then we try to hurry up and fill that void by stuffing more food - which still doesn't give us the complete experience.
As I have 3 peanuts left in my 1st bag, most the others have finished their second bag and their drink. Except the man reading a Tom Clancy book; the man who dumped the entire bag of nuts into his mouth at once.He has saved 1/6 of his orange juice. Not even enough for a whole swallow. I hate when I have just a partial swallow. It feels incomplete.
Hopefully there will be time for the restroom when my flight lands. You see, there was logical reasoning to only having 1/2 a cup of OJ.
India Posts: India Post #1 --- India Post #2 ---India Post #3 ---India Post #4--- India Post #5 --- India #6 ---India #7 --- India #8 --- India #9 --- India #10 --- India #11 --- India #12 --- India post #13))
My flight was delayed. I was called to the desk and told there was a chance I'd miss my connecting fight from Newark to Dehli. Which means I'd miss my flight from New Dehli to Hyderabad. with no way of calling Brian to let him know I'd not be there when he sent the car to retrieve me.The flight from Dehli to Hyderabad is a different airway. a domestic India airline who maynot let me switch flights without a fee.
Commence anxiety attack. Foreign 3rd world country by myself on the wrong day with no one to know when to come. I think I almost cried. I did lots of deep breathing.
I board the tiny connecting airplane and can hardly breath. It is so small and I am in a window seat- which means trapped between the wall and man.I keep thinking about my inhaler. I try to relax. I hate using it. it makes me so jittery! I hate flying. It makes me dizzy. But I can usually sleep well. But it decreases my jet lag to have all that sleep. (I almost nevr have jet lag)
We have to wait at the end of the runway forever. I hate that too...stuck in a tiny airplane waiting for the delay to end.
We get up in the air and I have 1/2 a glass of orange juice and turn my little AC blower on high and right in my face. I start to feel better.Why is not called 'a plastic of orange juice'? I guess I could say I had half a cup- but that might make you think I had exactly 4 ounces. It was more like 2 ounces I bet. I slipped it slowly.
The stewardess handed out 2 little bags of peanuts to everyone. I think this is the first flight I have been on that handed out peanuts. It is always a pretzel mix. I wonder if they check the flight registry for peanut allergies before they decide which to distribute.
I settle in and observe the other passengers. most of them rip open the bags and eat by the handful, or even just dump the bag straight into their mouths. I sit and eat mine one at a time and think about it. I savor the honey coating before chewing the peanut to get the most of the flavor. The others are eating, but don't seem to even pay attention to their eating as they read or type away on their laptops.
They guzzle their juice with the same greedy speed.
I wonder how they can even taste their food when it barely has time to touch their taste buds before it's down the throat. I think part of eating
---- wind turbulance--
is enjoying the flavor as a complete eating experience.I think we often eat so quickly we don't have time to taste and smell, we are left feeling not fully satisfied. Then we try to hurry up and fill that void by stuffing more food - which still doesn't give us the complete experience.
As I have 3 peanuts left in my 1st bag, most the others have finished their second bag and their drink. Except the man reading a Tom Clancy book; the man who dumped the entire bag of nuts into his mouth at once.He has saved 1/6 of his orange juice. Not even enough for a whole swallow. I hate when I have just a partial swallow. It feels incomplete.
Hopefully there will be time for the restroom when my flight lands. You see, there was logical reasoning to only having 1/2 a cup of OJ.
India Posts: India Post #1 --- India Post #2 ---India Post #3 ---India Post #4--- India Post #5 --- India #6 ---India #7 --- India #8 --- India #9 --- India #10 --- India #11 --- India #12 --- India post #13))
Friday, October 5, 2007
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