Delhi and on to Udaipur

7-22 left clt gate and sat on tarmac for 1.5 hours.  Got routed south through Atl and Alabama and TN and on through Iowa because of a storm. Got to O'Hare 5 mins after flight to Delhi was to leave. Ran about one mile thru O'Hare to find they were holding flight for us. Made the flight and sat on Tarmac another hour then on to Delhi about 14.5 hrs. Flew over Ontario and north over Greenland and then over Siberia south directly over Kabul and Lahore and in to Delhi. It was daylight the entire way even though we left Chicagi at 6 p.m. Saw the barren mountains of afghanistan. Couldn't help but think of the money and lives being wasted there. Landed in Delhi about 6:45 p.m. Local time. Airport was very uncrowded. Customs was a breeze. Our ride was waiting for us with a sign with our names. I got some rupees and we got our ride to the hotel. There was a gate at hotel (Radisson) entrance and full search of vehicle, including opening hood. Got checked in. Room was very nice but it was hard to figure out how to work the lights. Went to dinner at the Great Kabob Factory. Despite the hokey name, the food was amazing. It was all you can eat and the kebabs were served piping hot, fresh off the grill. There was a spicy lamb patty and chicken a few ways and rack of lamb that literally melted in the mouth. There were various chutneys and three types of bread. There was shrimp and you could order more of anything that you wanted. And that was just the first course! Second course was a goat stew and rice with a mango chutney and a monk bean stew. The monk bean stew had an amazing smoky flavor. Then for dessert there were six different ones starting with a homemade pistachio ice cream on a stick. The best was the jelabi, the first time i ever had fresh cooked jelabi. It was served with a ground coconut sauce. It was an incredible meal from beginning to end. We went to the room and turned on the tv and learned that Amy Winehouse died, certainly as a result of her addiction. It was sad to think of her wasted life and of those who sincerely tried to help her as well as those sycophants who had enabled her. We also heard of the slaughter in Norway. When it first happened, suspicion immediately turned to Islamic extremists. Turns out it was a right wing Christian nut-sound familiar? Right wing politicians and religious extremists and fundamentalists throughout the world are fanning the flames with their rhetoric blaming problems on 'liberals' and immigrants. Ultimately the vaunted Western culture may create its own downfall through its paranoia and its clinging to extreme wealth in comparison to general economic suffering. It is inspiring to come to India and feel the good vibes that come from all the workers, people who are appreciative of their jobs regardless of how 'menial'. It is amazing to be in an airport and not feel the tension, angst and despair that one often sees in American airports. The people wait for their planes in a relaxed and calm manner. I am one of the few people who is on an electronic gadget. The lack of gadgets and the accompanying tension endemic to gadgets is a welcome relief from the contrast of our American obsession with such things. Even though I had not slept for24 plus hours, I did not sleep great. We drank a lot of water on the plane but still ended up dehydrated.

7-24-2011 we got up early and wanted to go the pool. We called the desk and found out the pool did not open until 9:30 a.m. We called the spa and found out it was open and free. We went down and it is three floors underground. There were separate spaces for men and women. Fariba went to her side and I went to mine. There was a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. I got a 30 min massage that was outstanding. Then Fariba and I went to the outdoor pool. It was in a beautiful setting as is the entire Radisson Blu hotel which is located on NH8 just 2 miles from the Indira Gandhi Airport. After enjoying the pool we showered and went to the complimentary breakfast. What I thought would be something basic turned out to be an amazing all you can eat buffet and made to order at the oddly named NYC restaurant. There was a vast array of Indian food and fresh juice like watermelon juice and sweet lime juice. There were crepes and fresh made dosas and roti canai. It was fresh and good and the service was incredible. I know that the Radisson is an unreal island in the chaos of delhi but it was a fantastic place to stay, especially to bookend your trip to the rest of India. Forgot to mention we looked out the hotel room window and saw five cows purposefully walking up a busy thruway. Yep, we are in India. Writing this as we wait to board a Kingisher Air turboprop to Udaipur to see Troy the first time since he left two months ago. Our hotel concierge rode with us to the airport and walked us through the entire check in up to security. Did not have to take off our shoes in security. Yeah, even though they have a more real terrorist threat here, they don't waste everyone's time with the shoe charade. And then when you get in the airport there are wide concourses and relaxed people. A welcome relief from clt! On the Kingfisher turboprop listening to safety instructions in Hindi. Kingfisher is a beer company that owns an airline. I told Fariba the pilots are required to drink two beers before takeoff.