Chaos in Delhi

We managed to do what we were warned not to and showed up in Delhi without a plan. Part of the reason was that we thought we have a day to figure it out, but we didn't. (see earlier log)

We thought we would either catch the afternoon flight to Nepal or jump a train to Rishikesh without spending time in Delhi. Missed the flight to Nepal due to circling 20 minutes before landing and another 20 minutes in some sort of Tarmac traffic jam taxing to the gate. "we're in India now.". And the thought of sitting on a long ride was unbearable. So, we wandered yet another airport trying to figure out where to stay for a night.

We were warned not to go anywhere without a distinct destination. In the end we grabbed a taxi to take us to a general part of town near the airport that had a high density of hotels. I don't know what the other parts of Delhi are like but the part of town where we are staying it straight up frickin' nuts.

We wanted extreme - we got extreme!

Location:Delhi India

Thumbs Up to Air India

After 20 cramped hours of flying, mostly on Air China, it has been luxurious to stretch out on the flight to Delhi on Air India. The lady at the check in said, "you big I give you exit seat"yumm - yippie!

Also, a big thumbs up on the (I never thought I'd say this) airplane food. Loved the yummy veggie Indian chow.

Location:Over Bay of Bengal

First Impressions of Thailand

Even though I have only gotten to spend less that 12 hours in Thailand my first impressions are already built. I love the sticky feeling stepping off the plane. Warm, muggy, thick air. The smell immediately bring back great
great cellular memories - it's most likely the tropical slash and burn scent I knew in Brazil, but the association still brings a smile to my face. Looking forward to our return in a month or so.

Location:Bangkok

Schalfen-Fliegen on Air China

Ambien - the only way to travel... at least when you a working with a 13 hour flight. It knocked us out for at least half the flight.

It's the super red eye. Leaving LA after midnight and running away from the sun keeps us in the dark the whole time with one exception, row 52. While the entire plane enjoyed lights off most of the trip, our rows spotlights were permanently shining on us and unfixable. Our section was also loaded with 2 year olds. Naturally, with the lighting, this made our row a kind of Chinese kinder care. Again, I appreciate the Ambien.

Side note: it has been forever since I've had airplane food. No new technological advances have improved this service. Both the 2am (LA time) dinner and the 4am (Bejing time) dinner suffered from no taste and where visually quite scary.

Location:Over the pacific

Indigo's 11th Birthday

Early last summer we took Indigo to Strawberry Park Hotspring outside of Steamboat. At the time she decided she wanted to spend her birthday at in the beautiful hot pools in the mountains of northern Colorado with one of her friends. Wow - what a lucky dad!

We spent Saturday laying in the springs while light snowflakes glittered onto our bodies. The pools were cozy and we all jumped into the cold river every 10 minutes. I had never seen a moose in Colorado. There rummaging through the deep powder along the banks of the springs was a year old moose. She showed up intermiterently throughout the day. What an amazing way to spend my last time with my daughter before leaving her so long.




I dropped her off tonight at here moms. I don't know if I have even done anything harder in my live than say goodbye to my youngest daughter. M miss her terribly. I know she wil be with me every step I take. My tears have slowed down, but that knot in my throat is keeping me choked up. Happy Birthday baby - I love you!

Big Props to ViaWest

I just wrote an email to many friends that I work with at ViaWest letting them know how grateful I am that the company is allowing me to take 3 months off and maybe even more important, they want me to come back.   In an economy where people are begging for jobs,  I don't run into many people who work in the corporate world that can just step away completely for a full quarter.

I am fortunate that ViaWest is giving me this opportunity.   Thank you!

www.viawest.com

Love You Moon

My dear friend, Moon, passed on late last night. She was  fighting for her life for a few days following a car accident that severely injured her husband and killed their unborn child.

When I heard about their child, I spent some time in the garden planting bulbs.  I felt like I was replanting the seed, the energy of life lost back into the universe so something new and beautiful can grow.

Today is a warm, sunny day.  I walked down to the river and enjoyed the radiating beauty of the afternoon.  I am so grateful that I was able to share life with you,  Moon.  Thank you for being...