dive in head first

Wow, here I am, sitting in a dingy internet cafe in the middle of New Delhi. How surreal.

You count down the days over and over and time seems to go so slowly, until the minute before you have to leave for the airport and you realize this is it, you're going half way across the country. It's very strange.

I leave for Goa on wednesday, and i don't know if i will have time to check or blog before or while i am there. SO i am going to do a lump blog, it will be quite long. Get comfortable, get yourself a drink and prepare to be virtually immersed in the world i have quite recently found myself in!

The flight over here was eventful unto itself. 38 hours is a long time to be travelling, but i have come to the conclusion that i am meant for travelling, because i was barely tired when i got into Delhi. We managed to go out for dinner after my flight came in. It's a sign - i was meant to see the world.

I was sitting in the terminal waiting to board the Calgary to LA flight and was eavesdroping on the guy beside me. His name was Richie and he was on his way to NEw Zealand. I also heard him say he was going all the way to singapore before that. I butted in and introduced myself, telling him that i was going to be in singapore also. We ended up chatting and he was really kind. He was 26 and had travelled everywhere. He was showing me all the visas he had: australia, thailand, korea, india, malaysia, among many others. So we went to our seats and didn't talk for the first flight, but then we met up after we got off the plane. We had quite a while in LA and we got to talking. He was originally from New ZZealand and then moved to calgary 2 years ago. He was going to Sait and working for a naturapath in calgary! (He recognized some of the millions of homeopathic remedies mum sent me off with on the plane as i popped them back!)

Anyways. So we travelled together, it was really reassuring. We went on a tour of Singapore, it was really cool. BY the way, the Taipei airport was the cleanest thing i have ever seen. Ever. it was rediculous. The airline was nice, they fed us really well. Richie and I ended up sitting beside eachother all the way to singapore, it was nice having someone to talk to.

SO i get off the plane. the first thing that hit me was the amount of people. Holy smokes. Think of the most claustraphobic moment you've found yourself in and then multiply it by a million. That gives you an idea of how it is. I got my luggage and met up with Laurel and her lovely friend Sameer (who i think she should marry, he's wonderful)

We went out for dinner, it was to die for. Divine! We had mixed vig, butter chicken and delicious Naan bread.

One thing that takes some getting used to is defaulting to the left instead of the right. They drive on the left side of the reoad, so when they are going down stairs or on sidewalks, they don't even stop for you if you screw up, they either walk right into you or yell. it's disconcerting. But funny.

We went to a bolly wood movie last night, it was hilarious. The difference between westrern and indian movies is astronomical! The dancing, the songs, the bad acting, it'squite funny.

I had my first auto rickshaw experience last nightt. Crazy! They are excellent drivers, but the roads here are so terrifying that the minute you sit down in the auto the hair on the back of your neck stands up. IN laurel's words 'you just have to learn to let go and just don't stress." coming from laurel, what refreshng words! She's so tough! She's so good at bargaining for prices. She doesn't get ripped off anymore.

I am having a hard time with beggars. They are all so young, and i just want to help them all, but you can't, and that breaks my heart. Laurel told me even if you acknowledge them it makes it worse, so you can't even look. I hate it.

This morning i went to Malti's house and had tea with her mum, who is the sweetest lady ever. Laurel wanted me to stay in her house for the first three days just to sleep, but i'm not tired and i want to see everything!! I think she's feeling nervous having me walk around alone, but i've found if i cover my hair everything is okay. I get about half the looks as i do when i have my hair down. So i cover it up. LEave things up to the imagination.

I miss everyone a lot. A big thank you to everyone who sent me on my way with letters for the plane. They made me laugh and cry and love you all even more if that's possible.

Big love to everyone at home. You're in my thoughts and i miss you all!! Send me emails so i have something to look forward to. Love love love!!!