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'Face, hope you're still here!

I am home now, though what day this really is is up in the air. Had over 24, possibly 26 hours, between the time the sun went down "yesterday" (my clock) in New Delhi and when it came back up "today" (my clock) in Chicago. Left New Delhi ~1 AM local time Friday, arrived Seattle ~1 PM local time Friday.

India was great and I hope the prospect of a return visit materializes, but NnBob needs to get that transporter technology into shape. Won't help with "jet" lag, but anything that eliminates hours spent sitting in airline steerage class can't be all bad.

One lesson learned (almost the hard way): APTP -- always pack toilet paper! My travel kit now has a mini roll in it.

One loss: After almost a decade of travel, my Samsonite suiter has been trashed beyond repair.

Tried out the space bags with mixed success. Packed a "fleece" vest against my return (surprise, it was too cold even for that); maybe it was just my rolling procedure but there were wrinkles upon my return. No harm done, but a lesson learned. They worked quite well with dirty laundry, though (packed in such a way as the keep the bags clean) -- my suiter got selected for a random search and the searcher complimented me on my unusual organization, saying that most people just throw their dirty laundry in the suitcase. (He did not feel the need to open up any of the space bags to check their contents. *\;-)

But all in all, I think I understand a little more about you and Pakistan.

(I learned two Hindi words from listening to my hosts: "Ha" is "yes", and "Tikka" "correct." Can't read the script yet, but know a few letters...)

"NnBob needs to get that transporter technology into shape."

The transporter technology is as much of an advance in technology over the Fax Machine as the internet is over the telegraph.

And not even a regular Fax Machine, either -- one of mine.

But I am giving it some thought.

Yep. Sounds like a long day, alright. I had 8 hours at Heathrow going over and 18 coming back. It was the worst part of my trip. It was the only time, in fact, that I was treated with anything but respect.

I carry small packages of tissues, instead of TP. That way, I can spread them through my luggage and carry some on me.

Sorry about the suiter. And the secret of the space bags is to fold your items, not roll them. I don't know what the difference is, but rolled clothes wrinkle...folded ones don't.

In Pak, it is "tigga" and the word for thank you is "shu'kria" (Emphasis on shu.) I'm sure I learned something else, but I can't recall. I did keep some common advertising, though...Coke, Pepsi and Seven-Up labels in both Urdu and English, a newspaper, a menu for a take-out restaurant, and a jewelry receipt. But I wish I had kept the Pizza Hut menu...
It was an enjoyable experience and I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

I'm glad you're back!