October 12 - Delhi to London to Newark to Ellenville

LONG travel day... More than 24 hours from the time we left the short-stay hotel until we arrived home in Ellenville.

Again, at the airport, we had to show our passports as we entered the terminal. First stop was the British Airways ticket counter to get boarding passes and check our suitcase. Went very smoothly (Yay!) and very little time needed. We went to the security area (no shoes had to be taken off) and put bags on x-ray conveyor belt, just like we've done many other times (at different airports) for the trip. Had the "India Security Pat-down" and went to get my backpack. This time almost everything had to be taken from the backpack. Makes me wonder what he thought I had in there. Explained what everything was and stuffed it all back inside, not as neat as before. (Gave up on being neat at that point. Too tired and just wanted to go sit down.) Bought a cold drink (Of course, we couldn't take our free water in with us) and waited for our flight boarding to be called. Many of the people in our group fell asleep (not surprising since it was after 1 AM) but I stayed awake. (Someone had to watch our carry-on bags.) At one point, I walked around the secure area, checking out the shops and food places. There's a Subway there, with limited sandwich choices. I wasn't hungry. (I knew there would be food on the plane.)

Our flight left on time, flying about 9 hours to London (Heathrow). I think I slept about 7 hours, though not consecutive time (food serving, having to get up so person next to me could go to toilet, my getting up for the same, and leg cramp from the limited space in the seat). Smooth flight, arrived ontime in London at Terminal 5 (new one completed last year).

As usual, in London/Heathrow sytem, we had to go through security there and bag x-ray. Took its usual extra time (can take more than an hour for this), but no extra inspection of my backpack. They did take my "liquid quart bag" to check its contents. (I can't figure out how they would be able to find out exactly what is in each container; they actually stuck a liquid-sniffing device into the bag!) Three hours until our flight...

We walked in/out of the shops on the second level, kept checking the Departures Board for our flight gate (Heathrow does not post that early so you don't know if you'll be in the A section, where we were at the time, or have to take a shuttle to the B section.) We were told that we should stay in the A area, even if we might have to go to the B part. Seems that if you're at the B section and have to go to the A section, you'd have to go through security again. (Why? Who knows?) Our flight left from the A section, easy for us. Our gate was on the lower level so we had to take a bus to the plane. (More transportation.)

Plane ride, less than 7 hours, smooth and uneventful, with meals, ample supply of cold drinks, and choice of movies on seat backs. I didn't have to get up for anyone else the whole flight so made it more relaxing. (Well, I'm not saying that an airplane flight today is really relaxing, but it was an improvement from the earlier flight.)

On time arrival at Newark. Very quick through Passport Control (Welcome Home to the U.S.) and downstairs to baggage claim. Called Stan to find out where to meet him and waited for our bags. Not too long a wait.

Felt good to get into OUR CAR and take the ride home.

I'm planning to add more about the people and other topics about our trip as I have time (and energy) this week.

Great to be home. Looking forward to sleeping in our comfy bed. (Sean is home, too. I'm sure he's going to like sleeping at home, too.)