Bear with me! This is my first attempt at a blog. It seemed the only way to go with so many people wanting to know what we're up to and how we are doing. So if you're curious, log on from time to time and we'll try to keep you updated. I think the photos will be fun to see.
We left sleeping Bradford at 3:30 a.m. Sunday, June 3 for Boston's Logan Airport where we took a morning flight to London. In spite of Ann Peck's advice that almost everything we would need would be available in India, we seemed unable to travel with less than four footlockers and our carry-on luggage. The trouble started in Boston where our carry-ons were deemed to large and we were sent aside to repack. In London we had to store the trunks for two nights at the airport. At Heathrow we exceeded weight limits and were sent to an area with a scale marked "Lagos passsengers" to repack. I guess Nigerians must share our tendency to overpack! In addition, on leaving London we were only allowed one carry-on including a back pack or handbag until we passsed through security. Once through security we could have a purse and suitcase each. Miraculously enough and to the surprise of the British Airways staff person checking us in, the computer said we could check not two, but three bags each which solved the carry-on problem. Nine plus hours later we arrived in Chennai at 4 a.m. once again to hoist the trunks onto a trolley. This was just the beginning in India where we took an overnight train to the base of the mountains where Kodaikanal (Kodai for short), our final destination, is located, a 2 1/2 hour drive up a winding narrow road (the ghat). At the railroad stations the coolies (porters) thought they had struck gold when they saw our luggage. Major haggling was necessary including Ann, our host, saying, "Forget it, we'll do it ourselves!' (all part of the bartering system). So long story short we arrived in Kodai in one piece, the trunks somewhat the worse for wear and I will be shipping all cargo home by sea in the future. As they say," What was I thinking??!!"
1 comment:
hey laura that is funny. i bet you guys had a lot of fun doin that lol. dont feel bad wen i went to new york our train broke down in a dark tunnel and the rescue train failed and then the tracks had to be fixed lol. how are you guys doing now?? you were right about the part of us not hearing from you in a while.
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