It would have been nice to have this up from day one. I should have kept a log to let everyone catch up on my daily activities. At this point, I'd like to share some of my experiences to date. I cannot describe to the apprehension that comes with a first trip abroad. The last conversation I had before I left the states indicated that all I had to do was step on the plane.
After an exhausting journey, I stepped of the plane in Mumbai to an overwhelming funk that was the stale musky air in the airport. I moldy noxious stink that would make any breather of the earth's air supply gag. I thought I was going to be sick! I really wanted to get right back on the plane! After a week in country, I think the smell is still in the air, but it only overwhelms me occasionally.
The trip through the airport was intimidating. I am not the type of indidual that takes kindly to people questioning my actions or impeding my movements. Add to that, not everyone spoke English so there was much pointing and repeated attempts @ communication. I managed my way through the thousand checkpoints and uniformed inquiries to find myself in front of the airport.
At this point, my second thought of leaving the country hit me. Immediatly outside the airport terminal was a police type barricade. (like the ones we pull out for Mardi Gras) Behind it, the crowd was as thick as any parade route I had ever seen. US citizens, (and any travelers from abroad) stick out no matter what we wear. I was approached by a nicely dressed younger man in a 'spiffy' suit with a walkie talkie about the same time I managed to find my name on one of the hundreds of signs haning on the barricade. (Gregori Stelly, figured that one was mine) I pointed to the sign, and the gentlemen immediately squawked on his walkie talkie. Then, he had the audacity to grab all my bags from me!
In India, the service community is unlike anything I have ever experienced in the US. At an airport in the states, no is likely to care anything about you. With no idea where I was headed, the walkie talkie guy hooked up with the driver from the hotel, and I settled in for a good nights rest on DAY 1
