India Days 1-2ish

Going to use this blog to keep track f my trip. Its weird to think, that is in this moment, I am here but I am writing for a memory. I am here to learn how to live in the moment, to free myself from overanalyzing, and to give my grandma purpose in the next two weeks. I woke up on thursday, Feb 18th with a strange feeling. I wasnt scared but i did have a sense of not wanting to go. Could be laziness or just the fact that I am a huge homebody. That is another thing I need to work on. I finished up packng by burning some mixes and putting them onto my ipod shuffle. Everything at the airport went smoothe. My passport and visa are brand new and there was no issue there. I was pass security and near my gate with about an hour to kill. I walked around. To prove my homebodiness... I bought a "Dont mess with Texas" shot glass that will be most likely using in Goa. I also bought a Houston postcard because it was a beautiful shot of the downtown skyline and a full moon. Airports always make me feel weird. I am always fascinated in human interaction and ther are all kinds of social goodies in there. I hate all the pretty girls. Just torture. Lots of funny family interaction too. nothing worth noting this time. I also bought the book Shutter Island so I can come home and see this much anticipated movie.

I boarded the plane on time which was headed to Newark. I watched "More Than a Game" adocumentary about Lebron James' high school experience. It made mlike him a little more but still think he is an ego maniac. THe guy sitting next to me was ironically Indian. He ordered 3 small bottles of wine in the first 2 hours of the flight. haha By the end of the third he struct up conversation. We talked about what I do and where I was from. And he explained the same about himself. He explained he was like the dude in Up in the Air and he was fascinated with collecting miles. It was funny to be sober in the daytime talking to a drunk adult Indian guy. He said he had Elite access to Continentals Presidential Club and he would get me in before he had to go to New York City. Speaking of which. We flew right by The City. I LOVE NY. It made me sad to see it, knowing that i couldnt go. I miss NY. I got such a great view. I saw the empire state, brooklyn bridge, and the Statue of Liberty. It was perfect.

As promised, this man took me to the presidential sweet and we had a drink. He had to run after that and I moved to bar. I had a couple dewars on the rocks and a couple glasses of white wine.. FOR FREE. amazing. I called Douglas to tell hi8m how frustrating it was to look at city knowing he was there but being trapped in the airport for a few hours. We talked abotu everything for almost 2 straight hours. It was funny because i was getting drunker by the minute and more honest and loud. I think all the old people enjoyed the things I was saying becayse they were being so friendly after I got off the phone. I realized it was close to boarding time so I went off to my gate.

Boarded with no problems. I had the front row and lots of leg room. Thank you mom. I love you. They had a personal tv with SO many movies and tv shows. I mean like hundreds. I was in heaven. I ended watching 3 Arrested Development shows, Bourne Supremecy(because it was partially filmed in Goa and my sister met and hung with Matt Damon when they were there, CRAZY), and Fargo. Fargo was so good. Always wanted to see it. Didnt dissapoint. I really couldnt sleep. Probably slept a total of an hour and half maybe which is nothing on a 15 hour flight. That sucked. I was tortured by boredom and there is only so much movie/tv show watching you can do consecutively. There was a nice lady who was visiting family that sat next to me. We had some small talk but not anything intense. She was sweet. We were sweet to each other. Making sure we were both comfortable at all times and that we werent being annoying.

WHen I got off I passed through customs with ease. Picked my bag up immdeiately and went outside. It was warm and humid. In the low 80's which was a change from the cold weather we have had in Houston. I didnt see my cousin Chantelle at first. I had gotten out to early, Kind of scary because ther were a lot of people and they were begging to service me. I was like DUDE IM COOL! It went over there heads. One guy insisted i use his phoen to call my cousin and i said I have no money to offer. He was like ok ok use use. So i did. Then he asked for money. haha I was like sorry man. Told you that a minute ago. DIdnt want to use your phone really. FInally I saw her and met her husband-to be named Jude. He was a big guy with some tatooes but really friendly. He is a professional chef. I look to take advantage of that when I get back form Goa for a couple night here in Bomaby. It was around 11 at night and the ride was interstring. Really polluted but the feel and air are just so different. You cant explain or see it in a movie. Its an experience to say the least. I showed them some of my music and they were extremely impressed. Always makes me feel good.

WHen I got to their place it was about 1130. They were SO hostipitable, Offering me everything, All I really wanted was to take a shower and read Shutter Island until the morning. They have a fat white lab that made me miss Cosmo already. After a few talks with Chauntelles Dad Robert, who is a sweet sweet man, I showered and checked email and facebook. Such a weird thing seeing everyon in houston's news feed. Didnt like the feeling really. GOing to try and not be a facebooker the next couple weeks. I listened to music and read very little before i went to bed. I have a cute little room to myself. The patio and window was left open so it was like sleeping outside but it was quite lovely. Woke up a few times in the night. Had some pretty vivid dreams aboput home. Got up[ real early to look out. It was a crazy view of a crazy world. I filmed a little with my shitty vid camera and read a little. Ate an intersiting omelette and bread. Talked to there parrot and now I sit here writing away.

I am about to explore Mumbai/Bombay. Probably do a little shopping. THen I catch a flight to beautiful Goa to see my mother and hang out with Maggie on the beaches! SO excited. This will be quite the adventure and it has started off wonderfully. I have my moments where I wish I were home, riding my bike downtown listening to music, but then i stop myself and remind myself that this is my time here. This is INdia. Home will be there. Got to cherish every minute here. This could really change me for the better. Shape me into a better man. Ill hopefully find an internet cafe there to write about the next few days.