A Long Journey to a Land Far, Far Away

I know it has been over a week since I arrived and no more blog posting yet, I do apologize. However, it seems that life in SE A is as wide open as it is in the States. So, I am just going to start from the beginning and make a few entries in the next couple of days and maybe, just maybe, I will remember and take the time to sit down more frequently to write. So, now to where we left off. Packing didn’t go so well on Sunday night, washing did not go as planned and I didn’t feel like venturing out in the rain to retrieve my suitcase out of the building. I did, however, lay my clothes out nice, neat and rolled so they would be easy to pack in the morning. Everything went smoothly on Monday morning; I got packed, told Matthew goodbye and saw him off to school in my car and was able to leave in time to hit the bank and my favorite breakfast spot, Libby’s Catfish, with Mom, Dad, and Drew. My grandparents and Bro. Jack met us at the airport to say goodbye, which was harder than I expected it to be. I was not doubt excited about getting over here but we were all going to miss each other for the couple of months. My parents were especially tough. However, to lighten the mood some, Drew did buy me a nice new Auburn shirt for my trip that I could show off to the nationals and teach them about the best American football team in all the land! (He told me not to tell that, oops…) So, after all the hugs and goodbyes it was time to get through security and to the gate. When I headed through, the security girl said she just had to know where I was going because of all the commotion, I told her and she wished me luck. Now through security I waved my last goodbyes to my family on the other side of the glass wall and then I was gone. From here it is a just a little boring. I did enjoy my last burger in Charlotte before hopping the pond to Frankfurt. Transcontinental flights are very painful for me; I have a terrible time trying to sleep on an airplane. After a couple of delays, I ended up spending about 10 hours in the Frankfurt airport feeling like a zombie. It had now been about 24 hours since I had woke up on Monday and I had about 2-3 fifteen minute naps on the plane. I spent the day lying around pretending to read and dosing off. Longest day of my life! I was able to manage getting my own row on the flight to 1ndia, but did not get much more rest. So, now after about 30 hours I have arrived in D3lh1 and it is 3am. There is supposed to be a car waiting for me at outside the airport to take me to the hotel, but since I was 2.5 hours late that had been cancelled. However, by miracle I think, my team leader had been delayed and he was at the airport to meet me! What a relief! We got a couple hours of rest and then off again to head home, well temporary home, in Goo-ah-hot-ee (for those wondering about pronunciation) where I was received very nicely. I met Steve’s family, my roommate, and then some of the other M’s over a homey meal at KFC, and yes that is Kentucky Fried Chicken. Finally to end the night off right, we celebrated a huge 1nd1an win over Pak in the semifinal of the Cricket World Cup! That was a HUGE deal! They do love their cricket over here. By now I am at a new level of tired and it was great to lie down to get a full night of sleep. Happy to finally be here and settled, it was a great first afternoon in 1nd1a! More to come soon!