Greetings from Delhi...

We arrived late last night -- around midnight Monday, Delhi time. We had a three-hour delay on the runway in Newark due to a little plane de-icing. The flight was long, but uneventful. This cute little girl named Alicia in the row ahead kept us occupied with high-fives and smiles. So did the Indian version of Jake Gyllenhal (sp?), minus the high-fives. (A striking resemblance, I swear.) The veggie Indian meals were actually decent. The entertainment system kept shutting off every minute or so, so no movies for us. I completely lost track of what time I was supposed to take what medication. Made it through two books. AJ & JW slept a little more than I was able to. But we all survived & hobbled our way into the smoky air at the airport. (Construction.) Luggage arrived safely. MN and fiance were there to meet us & drive us back to our lodging spot.

I was up until 4 a.m., then slept fitfully. We finally got out for a late lunch on the roof deck of this little shopping area in central Delhi. We're staying in a really nice place that MN's fiance's father arranged. Safe, clean, and really close to everything.

So the beeping of horns is a constant here. The traffic is insane. Nobody stays within the lines, and it's every man for himself. You flash the lights to tell people to get out of the way. You beep the horn just because. There's usually not anger or malice behind it. Parking lots are insanely crowded. American SUVs wouldn't do too well here. Lots of people walking, biking, looking, watching. People in saris. White tourists in salwar kameez. The busy-ness of life goes on around us. The pace is much less frenzied. As my former heroine Orphan Annie sang, I think I'm gonna like it here.

Later today: accompanying MN to the tailor. Then to the gymkhana club to meet with the fiance and the caterer. Then possibly to Old Delhi for another errand. MN's birthday is tomorrow. We'll have to find a way to make her feel wonderful, since her family drama is pretty draining right now.

I'm so glad to be here. I feel alive again, instead of slogging through a sludge of sadness and grief. I mean, it's still there. Always will be. But my focus is on this exciting new place for now.

Hope you're all well...

S.