First impressions

It's about 5 am here and Mark & I are getting ready to head to the airport for our in-country flight. So far we're doing okay with the jet lag and time change - we'll have the rest of today to relax and adjust before we get Cole on Monday!

The travels were such an experience and it was easy to forget why we were going through it all. But there was a sweet Indian family next to us on the plane with an adorable little boy and so I pressed on. :)

The flight from Chicago to Delhi was surreal. I've never flown on one of those huge planes and at first was excited over our own tv's and the chance to see some movies. But our seats were not together and it appeared that the gentleman next to Mark would not be willing to switch. So I almost lost it then. But he did and we were on our way. After a few hours I was so tired and shell-shocked that when they delivered our "meal" I almost cried again. Ewww. But thankfully I was able to somehow sleep on and off for about 6 hours and then the rest of the flight didn't seem so bad. Not trying to be negative about it all - just recording it accurately. :)

It was so interesting in the airport, to be the minority, to not know where to go, to not be able to communicate easily and to not know how to flush the toilet. :) We made it through all the lines and found our driver who was so nice and helpful. We got lost on our way to the hotel and though it was dark, we were able to get our first feel for India.

Much of it I was prepared for - complete ignoring of traffic lanes and all other driving rules, cattle & dogs in the road, children running through the streets. But it was still strange to be in the midst of it and to have such peace as well. I have a newfound respect for people who come to America and bravely face all the changes in culture and custom.

Our hotel here is very nice though different from what you'd expect in the US. I will try to post some pictures when we arrive in Kolkata this afternoon. I've been praying for Cole as this is his last day in the children's home. Our lives are all about to change!