Entry

It's almost 3 am, October 5, in Delhi. We landed at midnight. The flight here was surprisingly and thankfully uneventful. I don't think I've slept since I left Toronto, because I remember watching five movies and two shorts. I really like Bollywood movies now.

Between the viewings, there was much eating. Jet Airways employs the most beautiful Indian women I have ever seen. Every single one of the flight attendants could be models.

I am travelling with Lisa and Shannon, two women in their late twenties. Lisa's friend Deep picked us up at the Delhi airport and we're staying at his apartment tonight. On the ride here, I kept asking, Is this typical of the Delhi night air or is there a mist tonight? It is 29C out and the air is thick and damp, the smell of sulfur is heavy. Deep said it's the smog, which doesn't lift at night.

Deep was in Toronto for nine months last year and left his laptop and some clothes with his cousin. Already, we tried to hatch a plan where his cousin would meet Douglas at the airport with a small suitcase of clothes and his laptop, Douglas brings the suitcase to Afghanistan, and when I visit Douglas in November, I bring the suitcase to Deep when I come back to Delhi to catch the flight home. All that had to be executed within three hours before Douglas got on his plane. But Douglas wasn't home when I phoned and Deep's cousin is out of town. No go this time. Such is the life of travellers.

We drove through different neighbourhoods to get to Deep's apartment. At various spots, he said, Take a deep breath here, it's cleaner air. I'm not sure I felt the difference. Deep is born and bred in Delhi. His apartment is on the third floor of a building. His parents live on the main floor. He said he makes a point of leaving Delhi every month or so to get away from the pollution and chaos.

What a contrast to the weekend I just had at Algonquin Park with the open air, expansive water, tall trees, and rustling critters, where at night, we wore wool hats, jackets and gloves around the campfire.

Until three years ago, Delhi didn't have a subway system. The city is now building one. Even at night, you see construction all over the place. But I am sure some of the sites are not under construction. They may just be derelict buildings. Sitting on his rooftop, we stare up at the sky and see a shooting star. Deep said he's never seen one from his rooftop. Maybe it's a good sign for us.

Tomorrow, we find the Ghandhi Peace Foundation, get more Rupees, water, a cell phone, and an Indian outfit.