Travels Home – Susan

I am happy to report I have arrived home safely after 28 hours of travel.  I am sitting in my kitchen in the wee hours, as I have not adjusted to the time zones.  I have a load of laundry in and am feeling thankful for our modern machines!

I was pleased to have a final pulse reading with the senior Dr. Raju on my last afternoon.  He was once again visiting from Delhi and made time to check on the patients.  I was first in line, as I had come at the defined time.  Being first was a big deal because now there were 8 Italians who didn’t speak English and each morning they would line up with their translator and it could take a good 45 minutes if you were behind them.

The doctor had read my pulse two weeks ago and was quite impressed with the improvements to my system.  He was so positive and loving, I was greatly comforted by his presence and input.  I did ask him how I could keep my body in good shape upon returning to my fast pace life.  He encouraged me to follow the clinic’s diet and suggested herbs.  He said the herb called Smirti was the most important, I had been instructed to take it each morning upon waking.  We had purchased a large supply, at quite a financial investment, as Alan will be taking it four times a day.  Smirti helps your body remember to do what it is supposed to do, like produce thyroid hormones or cancer killing cells! He said on days when I am under stress, just take an extra spoonful.

I went to the airport hours before my flight because it was scheduled to depart in the middle of the night.  Murty, the clinic’s preferred driver took me, who speaks almost no English.  I sat quietly in the front seat watching and absorbing the street scenes.  This was certainly a different approach than when we arrived, when I chose to bury my head in a book.  The streets were loud, crowded and the traffic was overwhelming.   The car was old and slow (2 cylinder diesel), I prayed he didn’t have an accident or breakdown as we left the crowded streets and then drove for a good thirty minutes in complete darkness through deserted streets on the way to the airport.

I had a reservation at an international lounge at the airport.  I had purchased a four hour package for $35.  The lounge was at the airport on the first floor.  I was shown to my tiny “room”. The room had a modern very small bathroom, a double bed, TV on the wall, internet access and a small walkway, with enough room for my luggage.  The shower was fantastic and the highlight of package.  There was a free buffet dinner, but the food didn’t look appealing and I planned to be really careful on my reentry on eating outside of the clinic.

After my four hour stay, I went into the airport to check in.  One thing that is very noticeable in all Indian airports, there are tons of uniformed military working alongside the airport and airline personnel.  I understand it is partly due to potential terrorism, but also from fat government bureaucracy .

I still had a few more hours, so I went to the business class lounge that was operated by the same company with the same buffet dinner being offered at 2am!   There was one other American waiting, so of course, we got chatting.  Turns out he is a business professor from Northwestern, who had been teaching an executive class for the last week in Hyderabad and has worked on projects with my sister, Sally!  I love these connections and am reminded how small the world can be.

The flight to Abu Dhabi is only three and half hours and delightful as I am sitting in first class due to my business class status.  It is the month of Ramadan, which requires fasting for Muslims from sunrise to sunset; so many of the passengers do not eat.  The Abu Dhabi airport is modern and beautiful.  I follow my new professor friend who knows the territory and find myself in another even more beautiful business class lounge and full of western, international travelers.  In India we have been very careful to not eat anything fresh or not cooked, so I continue with that plan until I get on the plane.

The flight to the US was easy, just a very long for 14 hours.  I found it easier to handle the time zone changes when we left the US in the early evening.   I missed two nights of sleep and started to feel wacky.

I watched several movies to pass the hours, including THE EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL.  I had already seen it, but thought it would be fun after having been in India.   Alan’s approach is certainly like Bill Nighy’s character, in that he is open to the local culture and jumps in with a positive attitude.  I am concerned that I am closer to his uptight English wife who is completely freaked out by the strange and oh so different world.  I confirmed that with Alan when I return and he smiles with confirmation that I had elements of her in my approach!  Oh well, I didn’t leave, even if I gave it much thought!

On the way home from O’Hare again I watch quietly out the window, wondering how an international traveler might find the scenery that we pass often without any thought.  There is so much space and no people in the streets.  The buildings are spotlessly clean and defined, meaning they are set back from the streets without endless rubbish and ruble.

Our dog, Ricki is happy to see me as she would any new guest to our home. Yet she seems to have forgotten who I am, and sticks to Alan’s side like glue.   I guess five weeks is a long time in a dog’s life.

I head to the bathroom for a warm bath as my first activity.  Ah, the joys of clean and hot water!  The cool sheets and bed felt exquisite and was the best thing about my return home!