Safe Arrival

Well, we made it safely to Delhi and this is our first post from that fair city. Our company authorized us to fly business class, so I can't complain about the flight. For long flights like this one, there is a HUGE difference between flying coach and flying business class. Plus, on the last leg (Frankfurt to Delhi) the airline upgraded us to first class and we flew on the upper deck of a 747. It was really cool and we all loved it.


Becca says the first thing she saw was two men holding hands. It is a common site over here to see two friends (men or women) holding hands. However, it is very rare to see a man and woman holding hands. Since that is the way Michelle and I usually walk, it is hard for us to remember that it isn't really done in India.


We knew we weren't in Kansas (or at lest Seattle) anymore when we got to the hotel. We had to take two cars from the airport. A small one for the people and a larger one for all the luggage. When we got to the hotel, we had about 6 people who greeted us. I've never seen so many people opening doors, grabbing luggage, welcoming us, etc. Of course we had to go through security screening (think a lite version of what you get at the airport, minus taking off the shoes). Then we were met at the door and a person holding a bowl surrounded by flowers met us, dipped her finger into the bowel and placed a red dot on our forehead. Then, instead of standing in a line at the check-in desk, we were escorted to our rooms by two people (one of which was the manager of the hotel), and shown the rooms. One of our escorts had the paperwork all ready for the room and all I needed to do was sign. Others brought our luggage in and after about a thousand good byes and thank yous, we were safely in our room getting ready for bed. I note that all this took place at about 2:30 AM.


On Saturday morning we ate breakfast, were met by our temporary driver, and went over to our flat. While we were eating breakfast, it started to rain. And I mean RAIN. It was a real gully-washer. Apparently this is only about the third time during the monsoon season that they have had this hard of rain. The streets were flooded and all the walkers, bicyclers and motorcycle riders were huddled under the flyovers to get out of the rain. I tried to take a picture, but it didn't work. Think of about 50 or 60 motorcycles, tuk-tuks, bicycles, etc. with all their riders standing around and you have a pretty good idea.


We showed Becca around the flat and she picked out her room. She also said she really loved the flat and the terrace. Here are a few pictures from our terrace of all the water still in the streets.




We then went down to one of the local markets to get pictures taken. You need passport photos for just about everything, from signing up for cell phone service, to turning on your electricity, to registering with the government. Not sure what they do with the photos, but there will soon be lots of pictures of us sitting in various filing cabinets around the city.