First 24 Hours

First Day in India

It is hotter than a jalapeno’s.......well you get the general idea! So, I arrived in Pune, India at 4 am from a four hour drive from the Mumbai airport. Let me start today's post upon me arriving at the Mumbai airport. We were late leaving London, which was really no big deal to me because I didn't have a connection in Mumbai. Well about the time we were supposed to be landing in Mumbai, the flight attendant announced over the loud speaker that we were having to circle the city because there was a problem with the landing strip. She was trying her best to soothe over the even further delay, and all I could think “am I the only one who is freaking out that there is a problem with the landing strip?”

Well, we finally land and go through Customs. I had to wait 45 mins for my luggage. I was scared to death that they left my luggage in London. After picking up my luggage I go through two more security check points and head outside. As soon as I walk out, the humidity hits me like a brick. All I can think was “oh you know what” I am going to die. This is more humidity than when I lived in Taiwan. Now comes the hard part. I have to find a guy holding my name because he is the one that is suppose to drive me from Mumbai to Pune. When you come out of the Mumbai airport you walk out into a large square area outlined by barricades. People waiting for passengers are outside of the barricades. So, here I am looking at all these signs and I can't find my name. I am getting nervous because I don't see my name and all I can think about is what my brother Coleman said Monday night. He said “Robyn, don't be nice and start talking to people. There are crazy people over there, so only talk to people who know.” Well, I didn't know a soul but I finally found the guy holding my name on a piece of paper and I said “hey that's me!”

Now here comes the fun part. It is a four hour drive from Mumbai to Pune. I think the fastest the driver went was 90 km/h which I think that's like 55 mph. No wonder it took us four hours to get there. For those that know me, know that I have a lead foot. As we are driving along I notice that randomly these cars are pulled over to the side of the road. They don't have traffic cops like we do in the States. I was curious as to why they were on the side of the road. Well, I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew was that we were pulling over to the side of the road. So here we are pulling over in the middle of nowhere and all I can think is what my other brother said. Then I realize that my driver had to relieve himself on the side of the road. I don't think that I could drive over here. We didn't stop for any red lights. The only thing we stopped for was speed bumps that were absolutely massive. Oh and they also drive on the side of the road. When I say “side of the road” for us that means the shoulder. I really thought I was going to die at quite a few times during the trip. I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I saw all the traffic when I was in Beijing, but no India tops the cake on the driving.

Everyone is super nice at Sangam (this is where I will be living for the next 5 months). The food was been surprisingly delicious. Mind you they said that they were making not so spicy food at the moment for me. I walked to the ATM with a local from the center. It was a 5-10 min walk so no big deal right? WRONG! It was hotter than hell outside. As we were walking, these two guys were staring at us. When I asked if next time I should wave, the girl from the center said NO! She said that they like foreigners over here and that they would all folk to me if I were nice to them. She then told me the word for “no” in Hindi is “bas”. I guess I will be using bas quite a bit.

Apparently, the electricity here is not very reliable. I was informed that at random the city will turn off the electricity. Now this wouldn't be a big deal, but it is hotter than hell outside. Today it is suppose to get to 108f. Without electricity I can't even run the fans. So, after the journey to the ATM I was going to work on my online class, but it was too fricking hot. Instead I fell asleep and missed dinner. We were suppose to be going out to eat. I slept for the next 12 hours. Now is is 5:30 am Friday morning and I can't sleep. Oh well, at least I am on their time schedule. I am just happy that I made it through my first 24 hours safe and sound. I was able to get Skype working and I talked to my Mom and sister. Don't worry I will try and upload some pics today. :)

Peace out friends!