Leaving America

Let me preface this by saying that I have never kept a journal nor diary nor blog.  For that matter, I haven't written much at all this past year.  I have just started keeping a diary, and now, at the request of a few friends, am creating a blog while in India.  In other words, I am completely new to this.  Don't hate.

Anyways...  My last few hours before leaving America were so hectic.  I said some goodbyes Sunday night, bought a suitcase Monday morning, said more goodbyes early that afternoon, finished packing by 3:00, and by 3:15, I was in the car, off to Newark International Airport.  That is called being productive.

I only had two bags- one to be checked, and one carry-on.  The weight limits on them were 70lbs and 40lbs, respectively.  I was actually pretty close to both weights, according to my scale at home (62lbs and 32lbs).  Normally bags wouldn't weigh that much, but Rajiv had asked me to bring a few textbooks for him, and I had to bring a few of my own.  I think there were a total of 11 textbooks between the two bags.  Crazy, I know.  When I went to check my bag, I placed it on their scale and it weighed....72lbs.  Out of curiosity, I placed my carry-on on the scale as well.  42lbs.  Eff.  Fortunately, I had packed my backpack into the bag I was checking, and since that is technically a personal item, I packed that with a few textbooks to gets both bags down to the proper weights.  Success.

I love my white board.  Best.  Investment.  Ever.

Next stop-security.  As always, I got set off the alarm.  Forgot to take off my belt.  Did the exact same thing Senior Trip, when we were headed off to Disney.  Yep, I got patted down and everything.  Fail.

I had a few hours to kill before I had to board my plane (8:20 PM flight), so I decided to have a classic American cuisine for my last meal in the US- a burger and fries.  At this point, I started to get a little bit nervous.  By the time I boarded the plane, I was nervous to the point that it made my stomach hurt.  In fact, it hurt the whole plane ride.  I mean, I expected to have stomach pains while IN India, but even on my way there?  That's just nonsense.  However, the flight was not all bad.  In fact, it was amazing.  Despicable Me.  American Beauty.  Inception.  Lots of sleep.  What more could I ask for?

15 hours later (9:42 PM, India time), our plane landed in Mumbai.  The walk to Customs was at least 3/4 of a mile, no joke.  But it felt great to stretch my legs, so its all good.  On the plane they had given us a paper to fill out and hand to the guy at Customs, and it asked for my address and phone number in India.  I had no idea what they were.  I still have no idea what they are. I was a tiny bit nervous, but I managed to talk my way out of it, and got through Customs.  Next- baggage claim.  Our bags didn't come for a solid hour.  This whole time, Rajiv was waiting for me outside, and I started to get nervous, because my plane had landed at 9:40 and it was now close to 11:00.  If he left, or if I couldn't find him, I had absolutely no way to contact him.  Fortunately, the gods were with us that day, and I found him as soon as I stepped outside the airport.





The outer part of the airport was really cool.  It reminded me of The Today Show; I was standing in an open square (where the reporters would stand) which was surrounded by hundreds of Indians, bunched up behind small metal fences, waving at everyone who exited the airport.  I wish I had taken a picture, but that was not my first priority at the moment.  When I found Rajiv, we got a prepaid taxi and headed off to our apartment.  (The airport urges everyone to use their prepaid taxi service, because I guess there are other taxi drivers there who promise a lower price, but then end up ripping you off.)  By the time he gave me a tour of the apartment, it was after midnight.  I was starving, so we went on a short walk, got some pav bhaji (delicious!), and then walked back home.  By 1:30, I was fast asleep.