The Arrival!

Well I made it here!  It was a long trip and was harder than I thought.  The long 4 hour layovers in Dallas and Chicago were the hardest.  The flight from Chicago to New Delhi was about 13.5 hours.  We were told that our tailwind component was stronger than normal, so our flight time was shortened by about :45 min. 

The Customs process was easy and fuss-free.  I zipped through the customs line, no questions asked, picked up my two bags and my bike box and out the door.  Nobody looked in any of my bags or asked any questions about my belongings.  I had people just staring at my bike box, like it was some sort of alien creature.  It was funny. 

The air quality is bad over here.  Really bad!  Visibility is about 1 - 2 miles.  Seriously.  It's smog pollution too, not just fog and haze.  The smell of burning ______ (fill in the blank for whatever) hangs in the air and just seeps into everything.  There even was a smog haze inside the baggage pick-up area!  Once outside then it's very strong and inescapable.  

My Hotel driver was there and ready to go as I stepped out of the terminal.  We walked about 20 minutes to the car and then crammed everything into this little car!  Then the driving adventure began!  Oh man was it crazy!  I can't describe or give the chaos justice with words, but I'll try.  First thing to remember:  keep one hand on the horn at all times.  The application of the horn was mandatory anytime a lane change was required; someone was changing lanes in-front of you; someone was too close; you want to thank someone for moving in front of you; pedestrians or bicyclists crossing or walking in the freeway; if there is 2 seconds of silence; the list goes on!  You get the point.  Pedestrians just walk in the road, crossing whenever they want.  Motorcyclists are darting and weaving in and around cars.  All while talking on the cell phone!  Three people on a motorcycle is common place down here.  The lines are just for decoration and distraction of the driver.  No-one uses them.  I counted 6 cars a-breast with 3 lanes showing!  Intersections are insane.   I wanted to close my eyes, but couldn't!  I can't figure out how there are not more accidents. 

My Hotel is nice.  Internet spotty and I only get 3 minutes at a shot.  Power has gone out about 6 times since I've been here.  I was in my room all of 5 minutes before the first outage.  In the shower this morning, it went out again.  Doesn't stay out long, but there are no emergency lights in the room.  Interesting. 

I woke up this morning to find water all over the floor.   My water filtration system that I brought was leaking.  I was slightly irritated until I realized that the clean water bag cap wasn't sealing properly.  It just needed a little O-ring adjustment.  Fixed.  All is well, except for the clothed that are hanging everywhere drying.  Ahhh, the little things!  All is well.

So, in short, I'm home-sick already, feel all alone, the learning curve looks like Mt. Everest to me, and I'm hungry.  All seem to be insurmountable obstacles!  Well, not really, but things will take some time to get used to over here.  I'm off to breakfast, then over to the ops building, unless they forgot to send a car.  In that case........don't know.  I find something.

Pray for me, I need it!  Love you all.

Darin