Well I made it and so far its been quite an experience.Its actually 3:30 in the morning over here but Im not sleeping, think Im taking a day off tommorrow and try to adjust to the time change.
The people here for the most part have been great.When I landed in Dehli there were armed gaurds with assualt rifles all over.Turned out they were great and helpfull.After a lotta confusion I had to take a shuttle bus to another local airport inside the international one.The The guard on that one was funny, he sat in front of me and adjust both his and mine air conditioner vents to blow right on me, adjusted my curtain so I could see and chatted at me the whole time.Then he asked if I liked music, I said yes and he turned his cell phone on to play what i assume was Indian rock, it actually wasnt bad then he started singing along.I remember this guy well because I was getting rather stressed out from being up for so long and he really put me at ease.
Next important event about got me arrested.I went through Indian security, the guard asked if I had anything to declare.I said yes, a lighter in my carry on.He checked me over, my bag went through the xray and everything was good.There was a smoking area with a couple guys in it so I ducked in and had a quick smoke.Without thinking I pulled my lighter out and lit my smoke, apparently they were supposed to take that at security
A airport person saw me and rushed over, took my lighter and next thing I had another armed guard over there.They took my papers, tickets etc.. and were busy talking and the other guy in there started talking to me, he was just a passenger that seemed to find the whole thing quite amusing.Oddly enough I started talking with him and kinda forgot I was in trouble, we finshed our smokes and visited for awhile and to my suprise when I looked up the airport guy and the guard were just standing there patiently waiting for us to finish visiting before they hauled me off to the security desk.Me and the guard there didnt speak the same language so after another viewing of my papers and a lot of interpreting he smiled and told me to go, but they keep the lighter, I was happy not to be in prison so I smiled and shook his hand and got the hell out of there.
One other thing I noticed is these guys are more touchy then Americans are and they stare a lot, but its not a bad stare, just curious I think.If you make eye contact and smile they smile back, some will even begin talking to you.I was trying to figure out a flight gate and a middle aged business man seen my confusion.He walked over, grabbed my hand with the paper in it and began reading, he read the entire thing while holding my hand and it started freaking me out but then he showed me where to go and wished me well on my trip and walked away.Sitting in the airport overnight waiting for my flight I noticed a lot of this, guys shaking hands, holding hands etc...It is actually a common thing here.
So far the foods been good (and cheap}, the hotels went way above and beyond to make sure I dont need anything and its been a very good experience.
Bout time to leave
