What time zone am I in?

My passport arrived from Delhi at 1p. Yes, a little close for my comfort. We are too far to go back home, but it is just a little too early to go to the airport. Of course if there was a Starbucks and Borders bookstore, I would not mind hanging out in the airport for hours. Oh wait, I will be hanging out in the airports for hours.
So begins the 36 hour journey back to the U.S. I arrived at the airport at 3:30p. I managed to locate the counter to check my baggage in and get my boarding pass. Now, this is not without a funny story. I thought he asked for my name. I told him my name, and the three Jet Airways counter attendants gave a laugh. I asked what was funny, and he said that he told me, "Good Afternoon, madame." Now, that is not what he said, but I need to get on with the check-in process. As he is looking at my e-ticket and passort, my luggage starts going down the carousel. He has not tagged it yet, so I am concerned. No problem, the nice gentleman standing next to me hopped on the carousel and over the other luggage pieces and retrieved my bag. I just smiled. Well, he finally got my luggage tagged, and handed me my boarding pass. He had also asked if I wanted my luggage to be checked all the way through. I told him that would be great. He told me to make sure I check with each airline, but he would request it to be checked all the way through. Not sure, if this would happen since I am flying domestic first and then international. He told me to have a good flight. I thanked him and continued to the next check point. While in line, the gentleman that retrieved my bag came and handed me my e-ticket papers. Okay, not a great start but not a big deal either. I found a seat and watched the monitors to find out where I would need to board. As I sat there, the same gentleman came up to me and handed me my passport. Okay, I would not make it far without that. I guess I was so flustered by the time I was finished at the counter, I just was not thinking. Not a good plan when you are traveling for so long. After an hour and 1/2 wait, I boarded the bus which took me to the plane for the first leg of the journey. We no sooner got in the air, when it was time to land. My first stop was Bangalore which is only 4 -5 hours from us.
I get off the plane, and I know that I have an 8 hour layover, so there is no rush. I stop by the restroom, and then proceed to find where I should be going next. A nice young man asked me if I needed assistance. I told him that I had a connecting flight, but I needed to know if my luggage had been checked through. He told me that I have to pick up my luggage, so it can be checked into the next airline. We noticed that my luggage was being taken off the carousel by an airport attendant since no one was claiming it. Close, but we were able to get my luggage before it was lost in the world of the forgotten airport luggage.
He loaded up my luggage, and we proceeded to the next waiting point. Luckily there was a Coffee Day Cafe (India's answer to Starbucks). I nestled in since it would be 8 hours. I was told that I had to wait until at least 11p to check in with the airline. I ordered a drink similar to a frappuccino but made with ice cream. Not bad. Later I ordered some french fries, and I had a Pink Lemonade Snapple. I spent time Instant Messaging with the kids. I read some of my book and listened to my IPod. Every time I had to use the restroom, I had to take all my luggage with me. Finally, I decided to go and check-in. The lady at AirFrance told me that I could use the lounge until it was time to board. I wish I had known that 5 hours prior! Oh well. I proceed, but I have to stop at an immigration counter to be asked some questions. He seemed concerned that I was traveling without my husband. He asked about me being a dependent, and he also wanted to know what I did in India. I told him that I was a wife and mother. He finally gave his approval, so I was off to the next check point. 2 and 1/2 hours later I am ready to board.
I got into my seat and settled in for the 11 hour flight. Now, it is 2am, so I am tired. I get something to drink and wait until we are in the air. The flight was good. I slept most of the time. When I got to the Paris airport, we had to take a bus to the next terminal. This airport is big. I found my terminal and decided to look around. I was most certain that there had to be a Starbucks. Nope. I did not even see the lounge, so I just window shopped for awhile. I found something to eat and drink and waited patiently. I think this layover was only 6 to 7 hours.
It is getting closer to the time to board. The terminal is filling up, and then the announcement is made. The plane was late coming in, so we would be boarding late. By the time we took off, it was 45 minutes after the scheduled time. I just wanted to get on my way. I had a front seat, so I noticed there was a camera mounted on the plane. You could actually watch the plane as it taxied down the runway and went into the air. It was pretty cool. I saw a bird fly past the camera. I watched some movies and took a little nap. We landed at 4:36p. 15 minutes ahead of schedule. I course I picked the wrong line for immigration. The immigration lady was getting the life stories of each person. I finally had to change lines since the other attendants were free, and it would be a little while longer. I made it through there and had to have my luggage scanned. I made it through that line and collected my other luggage. Alright, I am ready to get my rental car and drive for the 1st time in 3 months! I managed to get to the bus and make it to Thrifty Car Rental. They gave me a Fusion. The keys were in the car, so I headed out and got behind the wheel. It was a good feeling to be driving again. I really appreciate my driver, but there is nothing like the freedom of driving yourself.
I called mom's cell phone. No answer, so I left a message. I got to my parent's house at 7:20p and decided to freshen up since we would be going out to dinner. They came home around 8:00p. My sister, Tracy, asked why I was getting ready. I told her we were going to go to dinner. Well, they forgot, so they went without me. I could not believe it. Here I was in the U.S., and I was very hungry and ready for an American meal. Well, I needed to go to the bank, so I left with my sister and went to Wendy's. I was so happy to be eating a cheeseburger, fries and chocolate frosty. Yummy!
We talked and went to bed around 11p. I woke up at 3:30a, and I could not get back to sleep. I tried but finally gave up and went on the computer. I was able to talk to Charles since he was at work. Everyone else was up around 6a, so my dad went to Starbucks and got me a hot chocolate. He also came back with McDonalds. I savored the Sausage McMuffin with cheese and Hot Chocolate.
Monday was the funeral, so I went to see my Grandma before the funeral. She was getting her hair done. She looked tired, but she still had her sense of humor. It was a good funeral service. Grandpa George was a good man, and his church family had some really great things to share with everyone. Others also got up and spoke. After, we went to the gravesite to pay our final respects, and they gave a gun salute and flag presentation. That is always emotional for me. We went back to the church for a dinner. An unexpected surprise, I connected with a childhood friend's mom. We exchanged emails, and now we are able to connect through facebook.
Back at my parent's home my uncle and aunt stopped by and then my other aunt came by. We had some laughs. My uncle can do some crazy things when we are all together, and this day was no exception. I brought back an outfit for my nephew. My uncle decided to try it on. We had not laughed that hard in a long time. Tears were rolling down my face. We all headed out to dinner afterwards. Yeah! Coney dogs, french fries, and mozzarella sticks. I went back to my parent's house and called the kids. I started dozing off as I was talking with Elle. I heard, "Mom, Mom I think you fell asleep." A couple of minutes later, "Mom, I am going to let you go because you fell alseep again." The lack of sleep and the emotional roller coaster finally caught up to me!
I woke up at 3:45a this time. My sister had to fly out early, so my dad took her to the airport. My mom and I went to breakfast then to Meijer's to go grocery shopping. Needed some groceries for India. Oh, how nice to shop in a regular grocery store. I think my mom was surprised at my total bill. I then headed to Kohl's. I needed some new pants. I have lost enough to be a size smaller. We then went to Applebee's for lunch. It was so good. Boneless buffalo wings, french fries, and ribs. Oh so yummy!
More family time and off to the Outback Steakhouse. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into the bloomin' onion and salad. I just love the ranch dressing there. It was so good. I have really missed that place.
On Wednesday, I went to breakfast with my parents and aunt and uncle. Eggs and bacon...oh, I miss the food in the U.S. I had packed my bags with all the food I bought, and they were so heavy. I had to leave some food with my parents. In the afternoon, I went to Target. Oh, I have really missed Target. I shopped around and had some popcorn. I also met one of the girls from the youth group for a coffee (she had pizza, since she had to head out to play rehearsal). I then had dinner with some friends at Highland House. Oh, the breadsticks were so good. The ranch dressing there is great also. Off to watch my friend in her play practice, and then to church. It was so good to see everyone at church. I have really missed them. I chatted and visited. Coffee with a friend. Oh good times!
I visited with my grandma, lunch with my parents, and then to the airport. My suitcases were so heavy. I just hoped that they would not make me unpack and leave anything at the airport. I also had too many carry-ons. I managed to get through the check-in process, and the airline crew never batted an eye at my carry-on luggage. I got on the plane, and I settled in for the long ride to Amsterdam. Now, there is a funny story with the Amsterdam airport. I arrived pretty much in the terminal where we landed. I needed to get checked in and get my boarding pass. When they finally allowed us to get into line, I was asked a few questions and told to get in the next line. They took my passport and asked where I was going. Okay, I thought this is a funny question. Isn't everyone heading to Bombay? Well, apparently there is a new rule about visiting India. You cannot visit within two months of leaving. They were not going to let me get on the plane until it was sorted out. I told them that I live in India, but they told me it was not their rule. This took about 10 minutes to figure out. Finally, they said that there are different types of visas, and I had two in my passport. The first was just a tourist visa with a T, and the other is marked with an X. They apologized for the inconvenience but told me that it was a good learning experience for them. Glad I could help with that!
Another long plane ride, but it was relatively empty (at least in business class - oh, I had said yet that my husband works for a good company, everyone needs to drive/buy a Ford). I watched some movies and slept. There was a really cute little boy sitting across the aisle. I have to admit that he was pretty good considering the length of the flight. We arrive in Bombay. Now it gets a little more interesting.
I get into the airport and follow the mass of people. Things are not marked clearly, and I think just about every airport has been under some sort of construction which of course makes it even more interesting. I make it through immigration and customs pretty quickly actually. Kudos for this airport. Not as many of the airport personnel speak English, so there is a little difficulty with understanding what they need me to do. I try to check in, but the woman is adament that I get my bags scanned. Not a problem, but your people just sent me through. Then she was wanting me to check another bag since I was over the amount allowed as carry on. I had no problems up 'til now. One of my carry-on pieces was just chips. I did not want them to be squished, so I used a reusable shopping bag. I also had a suitcase with oreos and other fragile food items. I was not really wanting to check any of these. I did not travel 4,000 miles to have them crushed now. I told the lady checking in my bags that I would consolidate when I had a chance to sit down. She as okay with that. She gave me my boarding pass, and my ticket for the VIP lounge. I board the bus, and we head to the other terminal. Now, I am back in India and the airport is under construction. Driving is fun again! After a few attempts, we are finally on our way. I thought at first that they were driving us back to Chennai because it seemed to take forever. I get to the terminal and need to ask many different people about the lounge. They seemed confused, but they pointed me in the right direction? Maybe? Finally I found a place that may be the lounge, and two other ladies arrived. They are from Chennai, so they were able to speak to others to find out if this is the right place to be. Major confusion, but they opened the lounge. Now we wait for 6 hours. I tried to consolidate the bags, and I was somewhat successful. I was pretty sure it would not be a problem if I did not do it, but I was not willing to take the chance. Of course, everything is much heavier now. Finally it is time to head to the security check-in and find my way to the next gate. A little confusion. Everyone is pushing and not really waiting in line. I get through that and just wait for them to call us. After about 1/2 an hour, they announce our boarding plan. I get in line, get my ticket checked, and guess what - board another bus! They drive us out to the plane. We board, and of course this procedure is not efficient so we are leaving 1/2 hour behind schedule. The flight crew was extremely nice, and she just kept coming by and saying, "Is there anything I can get you Mrs. Marshall?" Now, I did not hear her call others by their name, so somehow she quickly learned my name and made a good impression. She was concerned that I did not eat much. If she only knew the half of it! I assured her that I was fine. She also asked me to fill out a survey. Smart girl. Polite, so I accomodated her request. Of course I gave her a great review.
We arrive in Chennai. Ah! Home sweet home? Now, Charles arranged for another driver to pick me up since we had plans to be somewhere else that day early in the morning (10a). I had my bags around 9:15a, and I headed out the door. Not 100% sure who I was looking for! He had my passport picture, so he spotted me and promptly took my cart with the extremely heavy luggage. Okay, I am almost there. He informs me that the President is in town, so we have to take an alternate route. There was new scenery for me!
Well, I am happy to say that I am safe and sound back in my home. I am finishing this up Monday morning, and we have yet again lost power. We are using the generator right now. I was happy to see my family and even my extended family, but I do miss Michigan.
I have a wonderful family that really worked hard to get me to Michigan as well as provide a warm homecoming. My kids called me everyday. Nice to know that I was missed. E. even had a list of reasons why she should have been traveling with me instead of spending the time with Dad! Charles should blog his time without me. The kids would also call and remind me of things that I needed to bring home. It was nice to see those I had a chance to visit. For the rest of you, I will see you this summer.
Sorry for the long entry. I was in a total of 6 different airports, 6 different planes, ? - number of buses, but I did get to have some good American meals. I hope you enjoyed this version of planes, trains, and automobiles (actually buses, planes, and automobiles).