August 5th
August 5th, 2010 at 3:49 am (Uncategorized)
So far so good. In Kolkata. Spent the night sleeping in the International Terminal. Not bad, really. At least it was some shut eye, and had really interesting company: a group of Muslim young men heading back to Thailand for a break from their studies here; an older retired couple, both doctors, both live in India, returning from touring the U.S. for six months. At 1:30 in the morning, terminal sleeping was the safest alternative to venturing down an unlit street for two blocks (I did it in the daytime and it was not nice) or taking a taxi downtown on little sleep – God knows where I would have ended up. Did some cleaning up in a bathroon (bet it is the last sit-down toilet I see in awhile) and put on a change of clothes which made me feel like a human being again. : ) Almost undid all that good when I went to brush my teeth – and without thinking wet the toothbrush in the tap water, which is not clean. Stopped myself just short when I realized. Dodged a bullet there – would have not been nice to get belly problems with one airplane ride and a three hour car ride ahead.
My next, and last, flight boards in an hour. Received confirmation about the car that will pick me up (whew) when I got on to email just a few minutes ago. Right now I’ve just seen a lot of the inside of an airplane, airport security, and terminals. My last hurdle is to make it on this last flight and have my luggage at the other end. Keep your fingers crossed…
More later. And thanks for reading.
Sandykins said,
August 5, 2010 at 1:24 pm
So good to hear from you, fingers AND toes crossed. You are in my thoughts every moment. Be safe my sweets. Mwah
Gail Kalinsky said,
August 5, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Hi Belle:) I’m so glad you’ve arrived and that someone will be there to make sure you get to your destination safely. Good thing your ninja reflexes stopped you from brushing your teeth with questionable water:). Can’t wait to hear more of how everything is once you get settled and I can’t tell you enough how grateful I am that you’re making sure to stay in touch through this blog!
Thinking of you, G
Shannon said,
August 6, 2010 at 1:59 am
Hi Belle!
I’m glad you had a safe flight and found a place to rest on the layover! Good catch on the tooth brush. Hopefully, you’ll be able to disinfect it, or you have an extra one on hand. I can’t wait to hear more about your travels! Grim and Maxx are doing great (no hairballs yet…but I’m looking forward to them)! 🙂
Shan
Jennifer Esp said,
August 7, 2010 at 12:11 am
Belle!………….Airports are windows to the World! I learned alot in LAX for 13 hours myself! Thinking of you always, everyone back @ the gym thinks you are a female version of Chuick Norris, and actually, it has been suggested you ARE Chuck Norrisw in Drag, (incognito!)………We are ridiculously proud to be your friends and are all wishing you safe travels! Ciao!
Belle said,
August 9, 2010 at 5:00 am
Gail, thanks for your support. I am the only foreigner in these parts, so I really look forward to the comments in this blog.
Belle said,
August 9, 2010 at 5:11 am
Jen, Hahahahaha! I’m sorry, but Chuck Norris is not tough enough to survive Bihar for five minutes. So, just call me Chick Norris. ; ) And thanks for the thoughts. : )