Day 1 and 2_ Mumbai, India

Greetings and salutations, Family, Friends, Acquaintances, Peers, and Everyone.

I have arrived safely in Mumbai, India, and have been here for a full 24 hours.

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After over 30 hours of being captive of air planes and airports, I arrived in India. After a death-cab taxi ride, I arrived at Hotel Sahil around 14:00 yesterday.

As the plane landed the infamous slums of Bombay could be seen. Slabs of metal, cardboard and fabric were fused together without any means of pre-construction planning. The ground was littered with garbage and debris. As the plane descended farther, the seamless sea of heads and shoulders of people could be seen.

Then the cabin was hit with the smell. It was a complicated aroma that was dense, pungent, and humid. Its layers were foul, spicy and possessed a hit of sweetness.

Hailing a cab was a challenge. Remaining calm while in the cab is even more so. The traffic is chaotic and more horrifying/entertaining than can be described. Little taxis, huge SUVs, motorcycles, buses, bicyclists and pedestrians all fought for space on the road and the blaring horns never ceased. There was nothing left to do but sit back an witness the chaos.

I saw my first holy cow.

One full hour later, I was actually a little surprised when I my driver pulled up in front of my hotel. I checked in. It is a very nice place. Clean and very westernised. It is so hot here that sleeps comes very easily and heavily. . . Overwhelmed by "India", I hid in my room and slept until morning.

Today, I found my way to the Mumbai SPAC office by means of taxi and foot transportation. I was shown unfathomable protective kindness by people of the streets who made certain that I found my way. I was greeted as "sister" and even received my first "Indian Head Waggle", but I still suspect that each offer of kindness is part of some manipulation/scam.

I am not afraid. I had no idea if I would end up at the hotel yesterday, but that seemed a little beyond the point. It is all a journey, right? . . . and I am a mere 20 years old being engulfed in a country whose customs and language I am unaware.

Avery, who has been my contact person, is wonderful as are all the other people in this office. I am sad to be leaving in such a short amount of time.

Over and out.