Welcome to India

Well I am now in India. Things are good so far. The airport is crazy. We arrive and there are no jet ways; it is down the stairs, get onto a bus and get a ride to the terminal. Once we get to the terminal there are 3 people standing at the door before you get to customs. They are handing out these forms about H1N1 flu. These 3 men are wearing surgical masks. A very welcoming site. These forms need to be filled out; the problem is that there is no place to complete this task. No tables, no chairs, no counter no nada. They do not even supply something to fill the forms out with. Just nuts. So I fill this form out and get in line. A man borrows my pen so he can fill out his form (he did find me in baggage claim and return my pen). A quick aside, I needed to get shots to prevent me getting diseases when I came to India, don’t you think they should be worried about those diseases instead of H1N1? Just a thought. They have these heat cameras that are checking everyone out and I passed so that was good. I have no idea how they could tell because there was not so much a line as a bunch of people standing there. It took forever to get my bag but it was there and all is well. The other awesome thing is that India sells duty free stuff before you leave. How great is that, just get it at your end destination and you will not have to worry about forgetting it on the plane.
Oh did I forget to tell you, India is on a half hour time difference. Who does that? That should be outlawed. The streets were very quiet when I got here because it was 2:30 in the morning. On our way to the hotel we did not abide by one traffic law. We kept the speed down but went through every stop sign and every red light. The other reason for the streets being so quiet is because there is a festival on Sunday. This is the Holi festival. You are not supposed to drive from 6:00 am until 2:00 pm. So that is great fun. When I woke up this morning there were really no cars on the road. I guess they can control 1 billion people.
I am doomed here because it is just like Brittan where they drive on “the other side” of the road. I will forget to look the correct way or go the correct side of the car, something stupid. I would do ok here because I am left-handing, so shifting would not be a problem, but getting around is a different issue.. No photos just yet, but there will be some I promise. Also, it is very nice and sunny here. Probably about 25 or so. I am going to enjoy the day. From what I have seen so far (the drive to the hotel and out my hotel window), India is one crazy 3rd world country. I did see 4 people on a scooter already and there are a lot of stray (or wild (what is the term if they never had an owner?) dogs. India is really growing and doing a lot of projects. It looks like the whole place is under construction. At this point it reminds me of Venezuela. I will let you know if my feelings change. More to come.