Eyes on India—Installment 1

Today's Thoughts...

About a month and a half ago, something really awesome, incredible, and worthy of much fanfare and to-do, FINALLY happened in my life—I went to INDIA. Not really my Motherland, but after four years of gyrating, hip shaking, and exceptional eye seduction in an Indian dance troupe, I feel something likening kinship with the country. A little lowe for Mother India. Thus I began my birthday after spending the night on the floor of the Bangkok airport, straddling two continents as I leapt from Bangkok to Delhi at the start of my grand Indian adventure.

I hopped on my Jet Airways flight from Bangkok, pleasantly surprised and pleased by what I saw. Truly a worthwhile in-flight experience with great service to boot. I had no complaints. I arrived in Kolkata, already a bit wary from the countless warnings and advice from friends, websites, etc. I was ready at arms for anything. After bumbling like an idiot to get through security (“No, miss, this is the man’s security line. Are you a man?” snicker, snicker, a flashing of my dagger eyes.), I finally get my way through the winding woman’s search line, nearly four times the length of that for the men. Come on, ladies, let’s get with the program. After a three hour sulk, starving in the airport, no ATMs in sight to snag cash for a sandwich, hungrily and admittedly moodily at my foolishness for not having cash, I get on my Spice Jet flight. Hahaha, my Spice Jet flight. And oh, was it zesty as ever. (Not really, I just had to throw that one out there).

Delhi. The international arrivals are quite nice, far beyond what I was expecting of a chaotic tumble. I waited for about an hour and half for my friend Allison to show up, and eagerly beaming ran to hug her. Immediately I knew something was up. Bags under her eyes, face slightly flushed, she looked like she’d gone through a number. “How was Mumbai!” I squealed. She smiled weakly and motioned for us to head out for a taxi. In nearly a month’s time, I’d find myself shaking my head at my naivete. Oh, Mama India, how you have changed me.

TBC...