Arrival – Thursday, November 20th

Flying into Indira Gandhi Airport at night, Delhi doesn’t look like other large cities. That’s because it isn’t like other large cities. The airport has been somewhat renovated since I’ve been here last. I can’t tell if it’s structurally any different than it used to be, but the lighting is better and there have been some superficial improvements. Certainly, I’m in no shape to critique the airport as I arrive. However, I can tell without a doubt that it is cleaner than I remember.
After what seems like an eternity waiting for our baggage, we make our way to the reception area to look for our driver. He better have a picture of us or sign with our name on it because it is packed in here. He does have a sign. Mom, intent on being the worst traveler ever, walks right past him and I have to chase her down and let her know I’ve found our driver.

Pushing the luggage cart out into the night, the smelly, foggy, heavy, night, I make a promise to never utter a harsh word about American airports ever again. I’m weaving a luggage cart stacked with suitcases through moving traffic and fighting the urge to freak out any time a car gets close to hitting me, which is often. After making it to our car, I look back at the vast river of disorganized airport traffic and realize I only crossed about twenty feet of road. That’s when I realize that I could never live in India.

The drive to my aunt’s house (mom’s sister) is surprisingly pleasant. Traffic is heavier than one would expect at 11:30 pm on a Thursday, but the driver gets us home quickly and safely. Thankfully, the car has air conditioning so we are able to make the trip with the windows closed, avoiding the dust and exhaust that mix with oxygen and nitrogen to form ‘air’ in Delhi. Upon entering, I’m happy to see my aunt although she looks much, much older than I expected. After sitting and talking for a bit, I decide I’m still tired and retire for the evening, falling asleep around 1:00 am.