January 28, 2025
First – let me give you the big picture re our journey to get to India.
The four of us left Puerto Vallarta together Sunday, the 26th, midafternoon for a 3+ hour flight to San Francisco. Our 3+ hour layover turned into 5 1/2 hours because of a mechanical. We left SFO on Air India late evening on Sunday for the 8,393 mile and almost 18 hour journey to Mumbai. We landed several hours late around 5:30 AM in Mumbai. What happened to Monday??? Again we left SFO Sunday evening and arrived in BMO Tuesday morning! Monday, January 27 is gone forever!
We started flying on a northwest heading towards Anchorage – gradually turning to a western heading as we went over the top of the World – then turning south towards Mumbai. A highlight of the journey was a 2 1/2 year old beautiful girl with long beautiful black hair, traveling with her Indian parents home to visit her Grandparents. While still on the ground the cabin lights suddenly went out. As clear as day she said “Holy Mollie – Oh My God!” In fact we heard the OMG comment several times during the journey. My screen kept me up to date on the status of the journey.
Our key to managing time zone changes is simple. First enjoy a cocktail and an early dinner on board. Next take 2 Benadryl or Tynol PM to assure as long as sleep as possible. We all enjoyed at least 6 hours with Todd and Karen getting 3 more after breakfast. This is the first time Karen has slept on a long flight. Her secret was to wear her breathing machine that she has gotten so used to. Next we go on and stay on the new time even thought that first day can get very long. We do not nap. Then again at night you MUST take those sleeping aids again to assure a full nights sleep. So – here I am Wednesday morning bright and rested in a time zone 12 1/2 hours different than Nebraska. Why the half hour you ask – because they can.
We meet Birgid for a late breakfast. What a joy to see her after two years! Then we split with the kids going sightseeing and the two of us with Birgid to visit 4 galleries. I especially liked the one where the artist takes discarded items (junk) and assembles large moving and noisy works.
We stopped for a drink and snack at this really cool spot then joined the kids at our favorite antique store.
After a short break we had a light dinner on the outdoor patio of the Taj Mahal Hotel where we are staying. Birgid even tried the DuncanTini but I had to finish it for her. A great start to what promises to be another great India experience. Off to bed early.
Robert
India 2025 