June 21 2005, Delhi 8.15, @ Anoop Hotel

Hi there family and friends!

Yesterday this time I was still crying at my home in HK, now I can't wait to share with you my adventure yesterday!

5 minutes before boarding, I found my bag was beginning to break. In 10 minutes I brought a new bag in the airport. It was the cheapest I could find, yet still costed me HKD 3oo+!!

The plane journey was cozy. On the one from HK to S'pore, the seat next to me was vacant. On the one from S'pore to Delhi, an Indian couple sat next to me. There're was once on the plane that I started to feel nervous again. Wish I could control the hormone that gives me -ve feelings. I prayed and ask God to remove my fear. Then I fell asleep. I slept for around 2 hours and watched half 'Hitch' and the whole 'Robots'. 'Robots' is not as good as I thought...the story was scattered and put too much emphasis on unimportant jokes.

 As I step out of the plane, I smell some scent. Can't discribe it, I think I'll call it the 'India scent'. It's in the airport, in the road, in the hotel, it's in the air.

At the arrival lobby, there're SO MANY staff from different hotels and hostels, putting signs in front of them, with the clients' name on. I couldn't find the one from Anoop Hotel which was supposed to pick me up in that 'sea' of sign, so I wandered in the lobby, trying to make phone calls. People started approaching me to ask if I want a taxi. I was a bit anxious, but still try to keep my mind cool: 'NO thank you.' I guess I must looked a bit unfriendly. At the telephone booth there's a Tibet monk, he looked kind. He asked me where I'm from and told me not to panic. And then a charming Indian gentleman asked which hotel I'm finding. He was in suit and tie, I guess he's a staff at the airport. I told him the name of the hotel and he asked me to look once again at the signs. So finally I see my name 'Aurora Cheung' with 'Anoop Hotel' underneath.

The driver from Anoop lead me to the car. I couldn't believe it can be SO HOT even at night! It was 40 C outside. Only when the car's moving, there was some wind, HOT wind. But it's better than steaming in still hot air! There're 'Horn Please' signs on the back of many vans and trucks. And it's true that there're many horns on the street. The driver of my car is one of the contributors. The car looked (and sound) a bit old but our car was fast. I couldn't see how fast it was, but I hear the frequent horns from our car, and we passed many cars next to us. I kept clutching my left palm on the handle, sweating.

But on the car I started feel safe again. Wow, I'm now in India! The v. first time in my life.

As the car passed street with shops, there's some sharp smell of chicken market. I recall the one at my estate.

There were some very thin people laying on the streets. I guess they're beggers.

We arrived Anoop Hotel in around 30 minutes. It's a budget one. Lucky I can surf the Internet here. Rs 30 an hour. I didn't sleep a lot last night, but I still feel well this morning.

Up till now people I meet here are general helpful and friendly. I found I meet more male then female.

The next adventure is the train trip this afternoon. I will write you more later!

Thank you for your prayers and support. You help me to step in a new page of my experience!

Love in Christ,

CMing/Aurora

p.s. please pardon my grammatical mistakes