Leaving New Delhi

Wednesday, November 19- Thursday, November 20

The three of us fell asleep in the early evening following our day of site-seeing. When Shawn woke at 8:10, he said to Amy, "Time to get ready for supper." Moments later, a staff person was at the door, asking us to come to dinner.

Amy was not feeling so great, but Shawn and Sweeti enjoyed their supper. Sweeti again devoured all the potatoes put in front of her. The manager bade us well.

Jaiperkesh arrived about 9:35 p.m. We soon would glad we had him come so early.

The night streets of Delhi were still bustling with people, since supper is usually after 8:30 p.m.

The giant monkey god was all lit up and had a bright halo. There was quite of a bit of traffic. As we drew close the airport, all the cars were white people in taxis, ready to head home.

We arrived at the airport about 10:10 p.m. We thanked Jaiperkesh for his excellent driving and service to us these past three days.

While there were many people and looked potentially to be another Mumbai experience, airport secuity and staff more clealry gave directions.

The first security person looked at our e-tickets and passports and we entered the airport and passed through another security check point. We proceeded to the KLM luggage check-in, where we had been told to go when we entered. It was easy to find since it was clearly marked.

When we got to the counter, I asked t purchase a lap ticket for Sweeti. This was not possible there. I was led by a turbaned KLM security person out of the airport. I was signed out at the door. We went across the street to the KLM ticket counter. I gave Rahul my and Sweeti's passports and the e-ticket to arrange for her travel to Bemidji. My first credit card was denied inexplicably since we had just activated in before we left the States, had a large limit and had used it the days previously. Then the ticket printer was not working and the computer went down temporarily. I did the math in my head but my daily debit card limit exceeded the cost of Sweeti's ticket to Bemidji: 5,074 ruppees. I had 4000 ruppees on me and plenty of U.S. dollars. Rahul then sent me back inside the airport accompanied by another KLM staff member, to the money changer to get the balance of the bill in ruppees. It took only $22 to cover the difference. The changer rejected my first dollar bill because it was too old and wrinkly. I said, "That's funny. I could four quarters for this in America." I walked briskly to where Amy and Sweeti had been sitting all this time bay the baggage check-in . I grabbed a better buck from my carry-on. It was acceptable. I then handed my stack of ruppees to the KLM employee. We had to then go to another counter to get the money counted. I was 5 ruppees short because of service costs at the changer. The man in line next to me covered the balance, which in U.S. currency was the equivalent of about 20 cents. How kind!

We all then returned to the luggage check-in to be issued our boarding passes. The same security man with with the turban "needed" to copy Sweeti's court documents. We sat and waited and about 10-15 minutes later were handed back her passport. In the meantime we filled our customs forms.

We were now ready to proceed through to customs. We turned in our customs cards. We had to tell them where we stayed in Delhi. The customs worker smiled and asked if we were adopting Sweeti and commented how cute she is.

Walking through the security check point went smoothly. I was asked to leave my bottled water. The rule is: No outside drinks. When I said it was for the baby, I was allowed to bring it with me after swallowing some in front of him.

We then ran into the mom from Michigan. How nice to see a familiar face!

We did a little shopping in the gift shop, buying more gifts for family members and souvenirs for ourselves. The credit machine was down so we got to pay in U.S. dollars!

Our flight was then starting to board. Since we had a small child, we were allowed to go to the front of the line after those in wheelchairs. The family from Michigan were in line just ahead of us, but weren't allowed to board right away since security had failed to stamp Anjali's little bag. This was totally their dumb oversight. Soon there were allowed to board.

We had no problems boarding and were given middle aisle seats. There was no one in the seat next to Amy and Sweeti.

During take off, which was on schedule, around 1:40 a.m., we were able to keep Sweeti's content and her ears from popping by given her flat bread from the B & B. She also was trying to drink form the large 1 Liter water bottle, but got herself wet. She didn't mind.

We were given drinks and a snack of spicy soup, bean salad, and cake. Sweeti enjoyed the cake the best! After we slept a while, Sweeti only wanted to sit by our feet. "Please stow all babies safely under the seat in front of you." Perhaps she felt safer and less crowded there. After she got back in the seat, she ate some croutons.

The in-flight entertainment choices were not as good as from MSP to Amsterdam to Mumbai. Instead of personal monitors, they were up above the aisles. The only choices were whatever was playing or listening to satellite radio programs. Two of our favorite sitcoms, "30 Rock" and the now-canceled "The Class" were playing, as well as "Las Vegas." Then there was an Indian film with English subtitles, we a lot of works righteousness in it. According to the film, God gives you points for doing good and takes them away for doing bad.