My first day in India - brain melting

Let me start with the flight since I can probably process that info a bit better than my first day here.

I made it out ok but of course, once again I got lost in Vancouver airport. I had got to chatting with my seat mate on the Vic to Van run. Once we landed and got into the terminal, I started following the International Departure signs as I continued chatting. Once again, third year in a row, I found myself at the manned desk where I had to show my boarding pass. AGAIN, I missed the turn where I check in to get my boarding pass. As I was heading back, I realized I had also forgotten to pick up my bag. Hmmm, so much for all of my security measures, a carbiner isn't going to help if I just leave stuff abandoned. When I found the baggage carousel, my backpack was going around and around all by itself, nobody around. So I scooped that, eventually found the check in, got my stuff in order and finally to my gate. I had a couple of hours to kill so I bought a magazine and planted myself.

My flight to Frankfurt started worryingly. My back of the seat video terminal didn't work. 10 hours!! No videos!! Mr. Head Steward was on the job. He rebooted several times but still no luck. Eventually, after my first suggesting he move me to first class and then, second, a smiley threat to make his life miserable, he shut down the whole system and got it working after about 90 minutes.

90 minutes of rebooting!

I watched UP which was hilarious; 500 Days of Summer which was also very good and Love Happens which was so bad that of course it was the only movie they showed on the next leg of my journey. Food was very good - ravioli.

The wait at Frankfurt was short so I didn't have time for anything. It was snowing there so this meant for some reason, that we landed a million miles from the terminal and had to shuttle it from the back-40.



Snowy Frankfurt airport

By the time I got to my gate, I only had time to fill my water bottle, hit the washroom and then get in line to pass over my boarding pass. Just as I was entering the on-ramp, two guards pulled me aside to give me 'extra security'. There was another woman walking beside me who asked if it was for both of us and they said no, just me. Imagine me a icy windshield and the woman guards hands as an ice scraper. She was everywhere. then the wand. I don't know what the wand measured but it was beeping crazily away. I didn't know if this meant that I was covered in explosives, drugs, or just had an underwire bra. Apparently, whatever it meant, I was allowed on the plane. Not to dwell, but I found this fairly innocuous experience somewhat unsettling. Why did they pick me. They didn't have a computer so they didn't have access to my itinerary beyond where my flight was going but everyone was going to the same place. They would have had to chose me based on my looks or actions. Do I look shifty? Do I act suspicious? I am used to not standing out and I have to say, I don't like being noteworthy.

Next jump, Frankfurt to Bangalore was fine but no back of the seat videos. By this time I was so tired I didn't even care, especially when I realized the movie that was showing. I did have an empty seat between me and the aisle person, a nice German lady. I think I fell asleep right away but someone woke me up for dinner. My choice was chicken or vegetarian. I went chicken. My seat mate got the veg. Hers came with rice and green and yellow stuff plus many little pots of sauces and dips. I was quite jealous as mine was adequate at best. Anyway, 9 hours later I was in India. Again I was sent to an extra security person who stamped my passport and handed it back without explanation. For the three seconds it took me to find and read the stamp, I thought I wasn't allowed in. But the stamp just said that I have to leave India for two months before I can apply for another entry visa. All good.

Then I go into the next area, where I found my bag and then into the next area where I expect Judy to meet me but as I was walking out the door there was so many people. They were all holding signs or just generally looking expectant. I didn't see Judy. So I stood there for a minute or two, pretty stunned, contemplating the fact that I didn't know where Judy was staying, had a phone number that didn't work, and no real way to contact her. Hmmm, maybe a backup plan might have been an idea. But right then, Suresh found me. Suresh is Judy's cab driver friend. I'm sure there will be many stories about Suresh to come. He took me to Judy and we got the hell out of there.

He took us to Kamat hotel. We arrived at 3AM, woke up the front desk guy. There were people sleeping everywhere, there were at least four outside on the front entrance and three in the lobby. The streets were absolutely deserted, no people, no cars, just sleeping dogs. Which all woke up and started barking the minute we got into bed. The room is very Mexico-esque. No shower, just a bucket and plastic cup but upscale in that the plastic cup is not a yogurt container, it is an actual store bought plastic cup.

Not the best bathroom but certainly not the worst either.

10 bucks a night. For two. I obviously fell right back into the life because Judy had to point out that there was no hot water. It didn't even register for me while I was 'showering' this morning.

"Do not urinate here' - the view from our window once daylight arrived.

I am wearing my Punjabi suit so it feels like being outside in my jammies. Why don't we wear these in Canada?

My first day, wearing my first Kurta and pant set (courtesy of Judy who had it made for me)

Today, Judy and I are just wandering around. We ate breakfast at the hotel. I had a Dosa, a fried pancakey thing with spicy stuff inside - my first meal involved potato! Which I ate - sort of. Anyway, even with the potato, it was delicious.

Judy enjoying her tiny coffee at my first breakfast. We soon learned to order two coffees at once - each.

Then we hit the shops. Someone remind me why I didn't bring that extra bag...

Bedspreads

Pillows

Silk!! So much silk!

Pomegranites on a fruit stand

Then lunch were I got some sort of Mushroom in 'gravy (curry sauce)' and Judy got Dal which was so tasty, I ate half of hers too.

I forgot to take a picture until almost the end.

Looking at our new purchases back in the room

Anyway, I think tomorrow we are heading out on some crazy cab/road trip with Suresh.