Kdogg and I reunited after quite a struggle. Thank God. Our reunion was a happy one, but she quickly saw what chaos I have been living in while she was sleeping on the floor at Heathrow.
We are both miserable here in Delhi. Perhaps the city is a nice place to be when everything is all fine and pre-packaged, but getting around here freestyle has been a nightmare. The tuk-tuk drivers quote a price, then midway through they say that was the price per person, not for the ride itself. Thanks buddy, but I'll be getting out of your tuk tuk now. We have been proposed numerous 'official' tours from people who 'aren't looking to sell us something' and we are quite frankly sick of the people following us, leering at us, and proposing us 'deals'.
Everyone I spoke to before the trip said we should get out of Delhi as soon as possible, and I couldn't agree more. Yet, my baggage is being held hostage at the Delhi airport, where nobody seems to answer the phone. When I talked the situation over with the VERY nice man who runs our guesthouse, he said, 'Sometimes it can take the airlines two weeks to get you your luggage...' Then he gave me the same damn line I've heard throughout this trip, 'Try in 15 minutes.' I've called the Air India lost baggage desk more times than I can count.
We're leaving the city tomorrow, luggage or no luggage. This poses a tremondous strain on my resources, as I packed my travellers' checks in my bag and therefore only have half the cash I planned on taking. My glasses, my camera, not to mention all of my clothes - these are things I wouldn't mind having with me for the next three weeks of our travels. We can work it out, but this is by no means ideal.
To say that I'm a little bitter and stressed is an understatement. Kdogg is still sleeping off her jetlag/Healthrow-induced sleep deprivation, and I am trying to just lay low and plan our next step. NOT the best beginning to our trip, my friends. It's hot here and I have been wearing the same sweaty clothes since I left my house on Thursday morning. It's Sunday, now.
Well, it sounds familiar, tho my bags weren't lost.
All I can say is, well, after a while in India, this stuff will probably annoy you less.
On the upside, you're in India, so a new bag and clothes would be relatively cheap if you want some. Besides, you can use your bank card in lots of machines, at least within Delhi, if you like.
Oh, and have fun. I had the time of my life, and that includes when I hurt my back, when I was freezing in the foothills of the Himalayas, when I had a broken heart. It was still all incredible.