Home Away from Home!

Sorry for rambling last post...blame it on jet lag I guess. What an experience our trip into Mumbai turned out to be. I think there's a reason that so many of the planes come in late at night. I think its because they may not want you to see everything there is to see. We saw plenty. The airport was crowded beyond belief. It was very much a 3rd world kind of airport. Been there done that my first few times in Romania but its still not what you've come to expect. People, people, and more, you get the idea. Then there's customs and immigration of which I know none of the customs of India. Again, being with a HC person does have its advantages. Some of the time they whisk you right thru to the front of the line, which is not very customary. We managed to come out with all three of our bags, hallelujah! My big jar of Jif peanut butter made it. Life will be good.

Getting out of the ap was bonkers, people and more...sorry. Finally we spot the guy with Kim's name written on a piece of paper. Computer printed no less, good sign. And the car had the hotel insignia on it...another good sign. Right next to the airport as we depart were the slums. There's not much middle class here in Mumbai, as I understand. We saw plenty of the underclass and their living conditions. Night made it maybe not so visible. Glad I wasn't driving. Driving was beyond bonkers...on the left...no lanes...everybody's honking and cutting in on one another...autorickshaws everywhere. As we left the airport the driver turned and handed each of us a cold bottle of aquafina water. Good stuff...except I hadn't visited the facilities since before we landed...

We arrived at the hotel compound a little after midnight. After climbing the hill where we left the masses we approached the fortress which was the Renaissance hotel Mumbai...huge gate...10 guards with automatice weapons...check the car for explosives I guess...and we pass. Up to the room...try to get online and call home which we finally were able to do...shower and sleep about 5 hours.

Another exciting trip through Mumbai traffic and now we're finally at our home away from home..l.wockhardt hospital in Mumbai. Gotta go now to finish our moving in...get some lunch...meet the entire staff of the international portion of the hospital...and hopefully a visit from someone from the US who's checking out today after having hip resurfacing. Maybe they'll be time for nap. Did I mention it was a long trip?

later. de