India

Dave and I

I have been back home for a week now.  I am getting back in the swing of things.  I was stuck in Dubai at the airport for four and a half days....so I didn't get back when i was supposed to have.  Therefore, there were a lot of things that were piling up for me back home and deadlines that I had to meet that I wasn't prepared for before I left.  So, I have been running constantly since I have been home.  I am currently almost caught up.  I should be doing laundry and cleaning house right now, especially since my grandparents are out of town and I've had the whole house to myself these past two days.  However, I have just wanted to veg and get myself back in order instead of running up and down stairs doing laundry and cleaning downstairs.  The downstairs is horrible and my laundry is over flowing...but it will be done in good time. 

Lady selling items in traffic.

India was wonderful.  Dave was wonderful.  I did not want to come back home.  I truly believe that I am in love with the man.  It's sad that he is there and don't know when he will be back in the states.  I wish this economy was better and he could find a job that he deserves and wants here.  It is very special to me that here is someone that technically we didn't have the time to develop a relationship when he was here in the states, but yet, he has become everything to me.  We went on two dates here in Atlanta before he had to go back to Missouri.  When he returned to Missouri, things occurred and he decided that he should move back to India.  So, we met in Nashville which was half way between us to spend a few days together before he moved.  And....that's it.  However, we have kept in touch through emails, instant messenger, and a few phone calls....and he has grown to be one of the most special and closest people to me.  I cherish his friendship above most in my life.  I have grown to love this man.  He has a great heart and is truly an amazing person.  I have learned so much from him.  He has been there for me and always ready to encourage me and send me strength.  So, when he invited me to visit him in India...I did everything in my power to get to him.  I was not going to let that opportunity pass.  I am so glad that I did.

I left out of Atlanta on Wednesday, August 4th and didn't land in Bangalore till August 6th.  They are 9 1/2 hours ahead of us.  So, though it seems like I was traveling for almost 48 hours straight....I really wasn't.  It was a 15 hour flight to Dubai, a 3 hour flight to Mumbai, and then an hour flight to Bangalore.  I flew on a Delta buddy pass on to Dubai since Delta doesn't fly directly into India anymore.  I was very nervous about not making my flight because the my flight out of Dubai was not on a buddy pass...therefore, I had to make the flight or have to pay to change the flight times and deal with that whole mess.  I sat at the gate in Atlanta basically in knots.  Almost all the passengers were already loaded and the gate clerk kept calling all these other passengers to the desk and not my name.  FINALLY, my name was called and I was in the business elite section...HALLELUJAH.  I didn't quite know what that meant at first, just thought that it was like a regular first class section.  OH NO...it was so much more.  I walked onto the plane and was directed to a cubicle.  This cubicle had a recliner in it with a down blanket and pillow waiting along with a pair of nice headphones and a Dasani bottle of water and a mimosas were begin served.  WHAT?! Now, I am super spoiled now that I know accommodations like this are available.  My recliner laid out completely flat so I could take a nap whenever I wanted.  I was given a pair of socks, so I could take off my sandals and get my toes comfy.  I, also, had a pop out screen that had tons of movies, TV shows, games, and music to choose from to keep me company.  Man, it was GREAT.  Plus, we had several great meals and even a snack cart that we could go to whenever we wanted something.  CRAZY.  But, OH SO NICE. 

All snuggled up and comfy in my cubicle on the Delta flight.

For future reference, don't fly through Mumbai.  This airport is very unorganized and is riddled with so much construction that you have to take shuttle buses to get around the airport.  It took me forever to get to the right place to board the Kingfisher flight to Bangalore.  I even checked in my bags as soon as I landed there so that they will be put on the flight to Bangalore over two hours before my flight.  My bags did not make it on the plane with me.  So, when I landed in Bangalore and I went to pick up my luggage.  My bags never came.  I went to the baggage service desk and they explained to me that I checked in my baggage late and they didn't make it on the flight.  After arguing with them for awhile, they finally said...oh yeah you did check your bags in on time.  However, your bags won't be coming in until the next flight you have to come back in a few hours and pick them up.  I called Dave who was outside waiting for me and told him what was going on.  Dave told me to get them to deliver the bags to us because we were staying on the other side of town and with the traffic in Bangalore that would mean several hours of driving back and forth.  You guys know I am not one for confrontations.  If you tell me to do something or that you can't do something, I'm not going to argue...I'll just take it and go along with whatever you tell me.  I knew that Dave couldn't come into the airport, so I had to make that happen all by myself.  So, Dave said that if we had to come pick it up then we were going to be reimbursed for the trip.  Once I started demanding that to the clerks, they were very quick to say that they will deliver my bags.  I landed about 8:30 that morning.  The next flight was to land at 12:30 from Mumbai.  I received my bags at the apartment by almost 5:00. 

By the time I got to Dave outside, I was completely exhausted.  I had not gotten much sleep on the planes.  Even with my business elite accommodations, I still was only able to take a short nap here and there.  I was too excited to sleep.  So, when I got to Dave I was done.  All I wanted was a shower and a pillow.  On the way home Dave and I were chatting and talking....and I started to get sick.  When I'm exhausted, I get nausea.  And, it was hot in the car.  Being that it was getting closer to their winter there, Dave didn't have the air conditioning going full blast or anything.  It wasn't hot, like in the 80s.  But, to be driving in the car and getting sick...I needed cool air.  So, I turned up the AC.  However, I was still trying to talk with Dave.  The traffic there is insane and Dave was having to go fast and stop, swerve and go over bumps, and stop and go.  Therefore, the combination of my exhaustion, being hot, and now being tossed around...I was losing the battle over the nausea.  I told Dave that I had to stop talking.  He would forget and start asking questions and I would try to answer.  Then he'd realize that I couldn't talk and so he'd stop.  And then he'd start talking and then apologise because he wasn't supposed to talk, lol.  Which I then explained that he could talk all he wanted...but that I was the one that couldn't talk.  I started to gag a few times.  Those who know me and have been around this know that I am pretty good at gaining control over that and not get sick.  I am good at maintaining till we get to our destination.  I don't know what Dave was thinking, but I was beginning to feel sorry for him having to deal with me.  I was hunched over leaning on the car door with cold air directed at my face and my eyes closed, doing everything I could not to hurl.  I think I made it an hour.  The apartment was supposed to only take about an hour to get to...however, traffic was especially bad and I think it took us over two hours.  Like I said, I think I made it an hour till I was hitting Dave and trying to open the car door.  Here we were in like five lanes of traffic where there should really probably only be two, maybe three, and Dave is trying to pull over before I get sick in his car.  I got out of the car and he had to keep going because of where he let me out at he couldn't stop.  So, here is a white woman jumping out of a car that keeps going  and is standing on the side of the road puking her guts out.  There were a few people standing close to where I got out and they were all just staring at me.  When I get car sick like that, you just got to let it all go to feel better.  Then there were things and trash on the side of the road and in the ravine there that was making me hurl more.  Finally, I got somewhat composure over myself and walked up the street to where Dave had pulled over and parked.  I felt so sorry for Dave.  All I could think of was poor Dave having to deal with me, he probably didn't know what he had gotten himself into by inviting me over.  We had to make a stop by one of his friend's house on the way to the apartment for him to pick up something or drop something off...I don't know I was too caught up in not throwing up I don't remember.  But, as soon as Dave parked I had my door open and was up throwing up again.   When we got to the apartment where I was staying, Dave was getting the key and was talking politely to the office guy...and I could do nothing but stand there with my hand over my mouth. 

Traffic in India

When I got into the apartment I went straight for the bed and flopped down on, resting my head on the pillow trying to make my head stop spinning.  After a few moments, I wanted to take a shower...though I had nothing to take a shower with since my bags were not there yet.  It would be my luck that the first time I don't pack an extra change of clothes and toiletries in my carry-on would be the time that my bags get lost/messed up.  So, I walked into the bathroom and there isn't a shower stall, just a shower area in the room.  That is no biggy.  It was nicer than some of the other accommodations I have had at camp down in Forsyth or on the missions field. But, there were three knobs under the shower faucet and a knob over on the side wall...and I wasn't quite sure how to work out the situation.  And there was a bucket with a pitcher in it.  So, I had to get Dave to show me how it all worked.  There was a little water heater that had to be turned on to heat the water, as well.  So, after waiting a few more moments...warm water or not, I was in the shower.  Thank goodness for Delta's business elite goody bag that had a travel toothbrush and toothpaste.  I had brought those little colgate on the go toothbrush things with me...but I wanted to really brush my teeth.

The Entrance to the Service Apartments

 After that, I was pretty much useless the rest of the day.  After my bags came, I did get ready and we went to the local mall to eat.  We ate at KFC...which only has spicy chicken.  Though, they say it's not spicy...it was breaded with some sort of spice in it.  Being the first night there and not exposed to the spices yet...it was a little too spicy for me but I ate what I could anyway.

Two Women in Sarees

The next couple of days we went to several different shopping malls, over to a friend's house for dinner, and I got a tour of Dave's school that he grew up going to all throughout elementary to high school.  In Bangalore, there aren't many tourist type attractions.  The places like the Lalbagh and the Palace were on the opposite side of the city and the way the traffic was, it would take all day to drive there and back.  Sometimes it would take us over an hour just to drive to the mall area to eat dinner. One funny story had to do with when I was at the apartment by myself and was out of toliet paper.  Apparently they don't call it that in India...so when I went down to ask for some the guy had no clue what I was talking about.  So, the gentleman that worked the liquor store in the same building came over and was trying to help.  While I was explaining what I needed to them, a guy from the restaurant had stopped to try to help.  Finally, after a short game of charades....they figured out what it was I needed.  Dave said that they call it tissue on a roll.... ok. I'll know for next time. We went to see a movie one night.  We saw Inception, the new Leonardo DiCaprio movie.  It was pretty good, though Dave fell asleep a few times in the movie...I think he is known for that because he has told me several times of when he has fallen asleep in the movie theater.  The movie was very good.  I would like to see it again to see if everything I thought was going on was really going on. It was neat for me to experience because they have intermission.  So, you are watching this action packed movie that you are totally into and then the movie just stops and the lights come on.  There is like a 10 minute break for people to run to the bathroom midway through the movie.  I think you should just hold it.  Can you imagine that happening when you are watching a really suspenseful movie....then it just cuts off? 

 On Wednesday, Dave had arranged for me to meet up with a family friend and her daughter Preethi.  I wish I knew how to spell the mother's name....but I don't.  I need to get Dave to tell me how.  But, we met them at one of the malls so that they could help me shop for "women" things like Dave put it.  I wanted to buy a saree or some other traditional ladies clothing there.  So, Dave had contacted them to come and help me out.  I am so glad that they did.  We found a saree at the mall that I thought was very pretty.  But, Preethi and her mother were not so impressed with the collection and wanted to take me to an area called Commercial Street to a shop called the Mysore Saree Shop.  So, we all drove over there.  The sarees were to die for.  There were so many gorgeous ones.  I ended up loving this deep coral colored one that had a trim of bead work that was in all the metallic colors: bronze, silver, and gold.  It was very well made.  So, I bought it.  Now, if you know anything about saree shopping....which I did not, neither did Dave, so I am grateful to these two ladies....the blouse material is made into the original saree material and you have to go to a tailor to get the blouse made.  So, we had to take the saree that I bought to a local tailor that was up the street to be fitted for the blouse.  That was quite interesting.  Since I am a bigger person and much larger than most Indian women, the tailor was going to have to buy extra material to make the blouse for me.  He measured me up...which was an experience.  The blouses for sarees are usually considerably short and show off the belly and lower back.  I am fat and this is unacceptable for me, lol. So, we asked the tailor to make the blouse as long as he could possibly make it for me.  Then he decided that since I am so tall, he would try to lengthen the saree so that I could wear heels with it if I wanted to.  He, also, put a lining into the saree so that the skirt part would not be see through and he made the saree ready-made for me.  Sarees are made up of several yards of fabric that is usually just folded and wrapped around the woman in a certain way.  I, however, would not know the first thing about how to fold and wrap myself in the saree.  So, he made it ready made so the pleats in the skirt, etc were already created and hem was added to the top to make it a skirt that I could slip into and then just wrap the top part around on top of my blouse.  It is SO beautiful.  We picked it up Friday night from the tailor.  I have put it on several times since I have been home and worn it around for a few minutes.  I love it.  I will have to take a picture in it so you all can see what it looks like. 

Mysore Saree Shop

Thursday, we met Preethi and her mother again for lunch.  Preethi told me to choose between an Italian place or a steakhouse.  I wanted steak.  It was the best steak that I had in a long time.  It was smothered in garlic, cayenne pepper flakes, paprika, a few other spices and spinach.  Then it had two different sauces that it was glazed with.  Oh my, it was good.  That night Dave took me to one of the catholic churches in the area.  It is called the Shrine of the Sacred Heart.  We lit a few candles and said prayers there.  That was the first time I had ever lit candles in order to say prayers.  I know that it is a catholic tradition.  It was neat to be apart of and experience that.  The church grounds were very pretty...the courtyard had great stone work and there were these two beautiful doors that looked like they were made out of bronze. 

Friday, I got to go to Dave's house and meet his parents and have lunch.  Preethi, her mother, and grandmother were invited there, as well.  His parents were very nice.  I really liked his Dad.  He is one of those quiet old man types that you know behind that quiet exterior his brain is just going a million miles an hour.  He had this cute little grin, too.  His mom made a wonderful meal.  She tried to make it not spicy for me.  She did a great job.  There were several different dishes, I don't know what all they were.  But, they were all good.  I loved seeing where Dave grew up.  I didn't get a chance to spend too much time talking with his parents.  There were other people there and we were all kind of quiet.  Once Preethi and her family left and while Dave was packing some things upstairs, I was able to sit and talk a little more with his parents.  They were extremely nice.  His mother gave me a little Ganesh statue.  I was told that he was for protection during my travels.  It was thoughtful of her. 

L to R: Preethi's Mother, Preethi, Me, Dave's Mom

Dave with his Parents

Me with Dave and his Mom

That night Dave took me to The Art of Living Ashram.  It was absolutely beautiful.  You are not supposed to have cameras on the premises so Dave had me leave my camera in the car.  I should not have done that.  I am sure I could have taken some pictures on the down low.  It was so gorgeous.  I would love to go back there and spend more time, sneaking around with my camera, lol.  There was a meditation/yoga session going on in the main building so we weren't supposed to go in.  However, Dave asked a guy and he said it would be okay to step in the door way and just look but not to go in.  You know we had to.  So, I followed Dave as he started to walk around and we were looking at the inside.  The outside is far more heavenly than the inside, but it was still pretty.  We were confronted by workers and asked to leave and was followed out the door.  It was would be nice to go back and be apart of one of the sessions for the experience.  There was a huge dinner and service thing that night, but we had to make it back into town to pick up my saree before the tailor closed.  Since, I didn't get to take any pictures of the main building...I stoled two from the internet.  It was so beautiful.  We were standing outside at the bottom of the building and the way I was looking at it and the angle that the sun was behind it was a picture made in heaven....it was gorgeous.  I just made a comment about what a great shot that would be and the guard was right at Dave telling him I wasn't allowed to take pictures.  Seriously, that is crazy.  The two pics that I stoled online are below. 

The wood work and the carvings into the building were amazing.  Next time, there will be picture taking.  I'm going to invest in one of those button spy camera things and shoot away.

Saturday and Sunday morning we spent our time at the service apartment.  We watched TV, played cards, etc.  Dave had taught me how to play chess earlier in the week.  No one ever took the time to teach me how to play.  I was pretty okay my first two games...I didn't win, but both games ended up being a draw.  So, that means I didn't lose either. But, after that, I pretty much sucked.  I taught Dave how to play War and Slapjack.  We tried to play Rummy and Gin Rummy....but we couldn't agree on the rules of the game.  His way is wack, lol.  We played Go Fish...and I kept winning.  YAY!  We were being nice about the games...but I could tell that we were both competitive and one day when we aren't trying to be so nice to each other....we are going to have some really great games and both of us will be cut throat.  My favorite picture of Dave is one that we were playing Go Fish and I went to take a shot of him with my camera and he did this goofy pose.  Then when I showed him the picture he realized that he was showing me his hand.  It was funny and so cute. 

Dave Always Frustrated with Traffic

I miss him a lot.  But, I am glad that I got to go over there and spend what little time I did.  There were so many great little moments.  My favorite was on Sunday morning.  You have to know Dave.  He is kind of cocky at times.  He jokes that it is a good thing to think highly of yourself.  He walks like he owns everywhere he goes, which I love that about him.  Several times when I would be waiting on him, I would just watch him walk around and his interactions.  He just made me smile.  He has this walk that reminds me of a John Wayne walk.  He owns the joint and there is nothing anyone can do about it.  So, on Sunday morning I was done packing my things and we were just hanging out waiting till it was time to drive to the airport.  I was laying on the bed watching TV and he was walking around restless like he does sometimes...pacing around the room and fidgeting with this and that.  And he had sat down on the bottom of the bed and then he got up and turned to walk towards me like he was coming to give me a kiss...and he tripped over the edge of the bed.  It was the cutest thing; I couldn't help but laugh at him.  Then he came and laid one long kiss on me.  It was so nice. 

Frustrated...again, I love the reflection of traffic in his glasses

So CUTE frustrated.

So, I'm back at home now.  I ended up in Dubai for five days waiting to be let on a plane to get back to Atlanta.  The plane was weight restricted so that meant that cargo made it back to Atlanta before people did.  That really sucked.  I spent a lot of money on food and hotels that I was not planning on having to spend.  But, I am glad that I made it out of there finally.  Now that I'm home, I'm missing Dave more than ever.  I know that he had to do what is best for him job wise.  I understand that.  I completely want him to do what he needs to do to make himself happy.  I just hope that will eventually mean move back to the states, Atlanta or somewhere close, so that we can be together and see how far we can take this relationship.  Like I said earlier, I truly do love him.  I have fallen in love with him.  I hope and pray that we can make us work.  I know that we would be something great together if allowed to be together.  God is the only one that knows what is best and what is right for both of us.  I have to fully trust in Him and know that He will work out what needs to be done.  Meanwhile, I pray that Dave can move here soon. He doesn't want me to move there.  He doesn't want me to move away from my family or have to make adjustments in the way I live to be able to live in India.  I would in a heartbeat.  I believe that when you love someone, you make those types of sacrifices to be with someone.  But, I am trusting Dave that he knows what is best and hope that we can work it out somehow. 

Now, I just have that Aerosmith song continuously playing in my head....Sweet Taste of India.