Amsterdam
On my flight from Denver to Detroit I just so happened to be seated next to a sweet Indian couple who had been living in Westminster for the last 5 years and were headed back to Bombay to reunite with their family...they were very excited and happy to share advice and traveling tips! I believe them to be a bit Americanized~ I have to say I was sad when they pulled out their McDonald's after take off:( But, to each their own...right?! Once we landed in Detroit the three of us walked together to our next gate to catch our flight to Amsterdam. With a lovely window seat once again this time I had the company of a couple from a city near Amsterdam...Hannah was very nice and we chatted for a while before we each settled in for a movie, dinner, and some sleep. I awoke to breakfast being served and Hannah offered some advice for the airport...get Euro's first then get in line for a train ticket~time and frustration saved! Thank you Hannah:)
As I was putting my backpack on to head for the train the plastic piece that holds one of the straps on broke! Thank goodness my Dad sent rope:) I tied it right up and was on my way to miss my train! But luckily they run every few minutes so it was no big deal! The train ride was nice and I loved to see the city passing by...headed to Central Train Station I found a tourist info building across the street and was told to take the Tram 1, 2, or 5 and my hotel would be a 2 min walk from my stop...after some searching I found my Tram got off at my stop but the Hotel Pulitzer was nowhere to be found...and nobody seemed to have ever heard of it~I think most of the people I asked were traveling also. Finally a gentleman asked if I needed help finding something and he knew right where to send me:) After about a 20 min walk after wondering around for some time I thought my back was going to fall off! I had to stay with my breath...just as if I was practicing yoga~come to think of it...I guess I was practicing yoga...off the mat and in the world!
Once I made it to my room with a view of a canal I freshened up...layered as many clothes as I could and headed out for a walk around the city! Not even 5 min into my walk I was approached by a handsome British boy telling me he liked the way I looked and wanted to know where I was from...he couldn't believe I was American and when I told him I was headed to India he understood and thought I would fit right in! He offered to show me around his neighborhood and asked if I "smoked"...of course I declined with a No Thank You and went on my way. It was very cold and windy but I was determined to see some of the city~ I love the oldness of it all...the canals are so cool and the vibe is awesome with everyone walking or riding there bikes there are few cars on the side roads which was nice. As it started to get dark I spotted a coffee shop from across a canal...I headed over anxious for some nice hot tea, as I approached I realized I must me in the Red Light District...! A large variety of herb displayed behind the counter told me to keep on walking! So I headed back to the hotel for some dinner, a shower, and an early bed time! I was so exhausted...slept for 10 hours:) When I awoke around 7am I was surprised to see it was still very dark outside and learned from my server at breakfast that in the Winter it stays dark until about 9am...and it did!
Head to New Delhi
This time I caught a taxi to the train station to head back to the airport to board a plane to New Delhi! I made it with plenty of time and met an older couple from Amsterdam that reminded me of my brother-in-laws parents...headed to India for 3 weeks to hopefully get some pictures of tigers! They were very nice and kept me company waiting in line to board.
When I found my seat the row was empty...as I awaited my new neighbors for the next 8 hours I was praying to be blessed with some nice Indians that would hopefully offer assistance in getting a taxi safely to my hotel. Someone was listening because a very nice Indian man by the name of Gurinder Singh sat to my left...he asked me to call him by his nick name...Babbi. He was so pleasant, we shared stories, and hopes for the future. He asked me "With what feeling do you come to India with?" I knew we would be friends when he was telling me how he likes to make his tea in the morning...'boil the water, add fresh tea leaves and fresh pressed ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and milk...and you make it with love~ all this love you put into the tea then it will be good for your body, and your mind' Made with 100% Love:) At one point I tried to watch a movie but Babbi kept talking to me even with my headphones on! Made me giggle:) He did let me sleep for some time and said"Good morning!" when I woke up. And wouldnt you know...the airport Gods were listening! Babbi walked with me and helped me find my luggage, showed me where the ATM was so I could get some ruppees, and then took me to the prepaid taxi service inside the airport where I got a taxi with no problem! Now it was time to leave Babbi and head outside on my own...I took a deep breath, reconnected with sankalpa (intention) and went out into the fog filled sidewalk, found my taxi at pillar 40 and was on my 1st crazy ride in India! It was so foggy you could barley see anything! They have lanes...but don't use them~on the other hand they use the horn non stop and continue to blink their lights as they are squeezing in between cars! I just kept praying that this Indian man was taking me to where I had requested and there would be no monkey business! And he did. I arrived just fine to a beautiful palace of a hotel where I was escorted to my room and felt very safe and at ease. The room is amazing and I am feeling very pampered, trying not to get used to it, knowing that this is most likely quite the opposite of the majority of what I am about to experience. I have made it to the other side of the world...and the journey continues!
Big Love~Q
On my flight from Denver to Detroit I just so happened to be seated next to a sweet Indian couple who had been living in Westminster for the last 5 years and were headed back to Bombay to reunite with their family...they were very excited and happy to share advice and traveling tips! I believe them to be a bit Americanized~ I have to say I was sad when they pulled out their McDonald's after take off:( But, to each their own...right?! Once we landed in Detroit the three of us walked together to our next gate to catch our flight to Amsterdam. With a lovely window seat once again this time I had the company of a couple from a city near Amsterdam...Hannah was very nice and we chatted for a while before we each settled in for a movie, dinner, and some sleep. I awoke to breakfast being served and Hannah offered some advice for the airport...get Euro's first then get in line for a train ticket~time and frustration saved! Thank you Hannah:)
As I was putting my backpack on to head for the train the plastic piece that holds one of the straps on broke! Thank goodness my Dad sent rope:) I tied it right up and was on my way to miss my train! But luckily they run every few minutes so it was no big deal! The train ride was nice and I loved to see the city passing by...headed to Central Train Station I found a tourist info building across the street and was told to take the Tram 1, 2, or 5 and my hotel would be a 2 min walk from my stop...after some searching I found my Tram got off at my stop but the Hotel Pulitzer was nowhere to be found...and nobody seemed to have ever heard of it~I think most of the people I asked were traveling also. Finally a gentleman asked if I needed help finding something and he knew right where to send me:) After about a 20 min walk after wondering around for some time I thought my back was going to fall off! I had to stay with my breath...just as if I was practicing yoga~come to think of it...I guess I was practicing yoga...off the mat and in the world!
Once I made it to my room with a view of a canal I freshened up...layered as many clothes as I could and headed out for a walk around the city! Not even 5 min into my walk I was approached by a handsome British boy telling me he liked the way I looked and wanted to know where I was from...he couldn't believe I was American and when I told him I was headed to India he understood and thought I would fit right in! He offered to show me around his neighborhood and asked if I "smoked"...of course I declined with a No Thank You and went on my way. It was very cold and windy but I was determined to see some of the city~ I love the oldness of it all...the canals are so cool and the vibe is awesome with everyone walking or riding there bikes there are few cars on the side roads which was nice. As it started to get dark I spotted a coffee shop from across a canal...I headed over anxious for some nice hot tea, as I approached I realized I must me in the Red Light District...! A large variety of herb displayed behind the counter told me to keep on walking! So I headed back to the hotel for some dinner, a shower, and an early bed time! I was so exhausted...slept for 10 hours:) When I awoke around 7am I was surprised to see it was still very dark outside and learned from my server at breakfast that in the Winter it stays dark until about 9am...and it did!
Head to New Delhi
This time I caught a taxi to the train station to head back to the airport to board a plane to New Delhi! I made it with plenty of time and met an older couple from Amsterdam that reminded me of my brother-in-laws parents...headed to India for 3 weeks to hopefully get some pictures of tigers! They were very nice and kept me company waiting in line to board.
When I found my seat the row was empty...as I awaited my new neighbors for the next 8 hours I was praying to be blessed with some nice Indians that would hopefully offer assistance in getting a taxi safely to my hotel. Someone was listening because a very nice Indian man by the name of Gurinder Singh sat to my left...he asked me to call him by his nick name...Babbi. He was so pleasant, we shared stories, and hopes for the future. He asked me "With what feeling do you come to India with?" I knew we would be friends when he was telling me how he likes to make his tea in the morning...'boil the water, add fresh tea leaves and fresh pressed ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and milk...and you make it with love~ all this love you put into the tea then it will be good for your body, and your mind' Made with 100% Love:) At one point I tried to watch a movie but Babbi kept talking to me even with my headphones on! Made me giggle:) He did let me sleep for some time and said"Good morning!" when I woke up. And wouldnt you know...the airport Gods were listening! Babbi walked with me and helped me find my luggage, showed me where the ATM was so I could get some ruppees, and then took me to the prepaid taxi service inside the airport where I got a taxi with no problem! Now it was time to leave Babbi and head outside on my own...I took a deep breath, reconnected with sankalpa (intention) and went out into the fog filled sidewalk, found my taxi at pillar 40 and was on my 1st crazy ride in India! It was so foggy you could barley see anything! They have lanes...but don't use them~on the other hand they use the horn non stop and continue to blink their lights as they are squeezing in between cars! I just kept praying that this Indian man was taking me to where I had requested and there would be no monkey business! And he did. I arrived just fine to a beautiful palace of a hotel where I was escorted to my room and felt very safe and at ease. The room is amazing and I am feeling very pampered, trying not to get used to it, knowing that this is most likely quite the opposite of the majority of what I am about to experience. I have made it to the other side of the world...and the journey continues!
Big Love~Q
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| Babbi and I at the end of our flight. |
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| complimentary tea in my room:) |
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| beautiful shower |
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| Shanti (peace) from New Delhi! |
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| Art from my awesome nephews...will help anywhere I stay feel a little bit like home:) |
Oh Susie, I am so glad you made it. You are an excellent "blogger". I feel like a child being read a story each time you blog, I close my eyes and try to picture everything. What an amazing and wonderful journey for your life and your soul. I am so very excited for you. The pictures are amazing, we love you!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I do love to tell stories:) And thank you for your loving support...you and Tony may not be "official" yet but you are family to me already. I love you too and please give my love to the rest of the fam! XOXO
ReplyDeleteBoo on the McD's. :)
ReplyDeleteI like that you used the phrase "monkey business" in your blog. I haven't read that in years. :)
Glad you made it safely.
What a wonderful journey you are having! I look forward to reading your blogs, and pray for your safekeeping. Namaste!
ReplyDelete