A new experience

A street in Bangalore
This is a seating area in the hotel lobby

Traveling to new places is a huge blessing in my life I will always be greatful for. I'm sitting in my hotel room in India, having just woken up from a 22 hour plane ride to get here, and the one thing I want to do is check the blogs to see what family and friends are doing. Its funny how not fun traveling is when you are doing it all alone, and how much I miss my girls when I think about how they are on the other side of the world right now.

Every time I travel I realize how much I take for granted what a blessing it is to live in the US. To not have to use a bottle of water to brush my teeth, or to not have to avoid most foods for fear of getting sick. So...I'm drinking a coke and eating a power bar with Animal Planet on in the background, looking out the 19th story window at a place I never imagined I'd see.

This morning at 2am, after one of the scariest taxi rides of my life, I made it to the hotel. I couldn't believe the poverty I could see along the way. It wasn't just a couple of areas, it was almost the entire 45 minute drive from the airport. Most of the buildings are various shades of concrete, and look like they've been around for a long time. It seems not many places have electricity, or they are just really good about turning out all the lights and street lights in most villages. The hotel was a stark contrast, it is brand new and is surrounded by gates and security guards with fuzzy green hats.

When I got out of the taxi a white and gold turbin was placed on my head, a blue, silk scarf was put around my neck, and some guy three stories above was dropping flower pedals down on me as I walked in. I must have had 4 different people helping to carry 2 bags. The turbin actually hurt to wear on my huge noggin but I didn't want to take it off in front of the staff. It was very gracious of them, and their service was great, but the funny thing is I didn't like all of the attention. Come to think of it I was able to fly first class to get here too, but I was almost embarrassed by it. I waited to board the plane with everyone else instead of getting on first because it just didn't feel right. Not sure why that is, but I've never been comfortable being treated like royalty when other people just like me don't get such treatment.

I'm excited for the week ahead, we have some plans to go a couple places as a group including spending half a day at one of the local schools to talk with the kids, and visit a local temple. I wish I could share pictures and share the experience with all of you, but this will have to do for now. Maybe I'll get up the courage to go walk around this morning, its either that or watch the hotel staff sweep dust off the grass.