arriving to Delhi

I’m in Delhi now.
God, I love Delhi.
I mean, I got off the train at 10:30pm, its dark and most of the businesses are already closed as I walked down Pahar Ganj with my heavvvy backpack on…and still I am stoked to be here. There’s such good energy. All the travelers are in transit so there’s this anticipation of exits and arrivals looming. People are making eye contact. The Indians here know English well enough that we can sass each other in a playful way.
Is it me?
I think so. My trip to Pushkar made me realize that I had reached an emotional rut…I suppose I could call it. I’m just over halfway through with this India adventure and I was feeling like it was already over. And when I realized I thought this as I spoke it aloud to Anche I decided that I had to shake things up and shift my perspective. I know it’s all about me and not the place or the people. It is totally up to me to decide if I am going to have fun, if I’m going to meet people and if I am going to be happy. So I asked myself “DO you want to do these things…really?” Because if I do then put it into action. Ask for it and receive. So not that some big amazing freaky funny story happened that I can tell you now…but it was more like a project. I observed my reactions and opinions and feelings and realized that they didn’t match what I want (magic, happiness, friendship and love). I’m not able to snap my fingers and immediately change but at least I am more aware of what I am doing and how my actions and attitudes create my reality.

Leaving Pushkar temporarily is a great way to step outside and take another look at my patterns when in different surroundings. Not to mention an entirely different twist…
The reason I left to come to Delhi.
I’m here to pick up my friend and housemate, Luke, from the airport tomorrow.
Wow. This is a powerful new twist to traveling for me. The only other time I have traveled with a friend from home was my very first excursion in 2001 with an emotionally abusive boyfriend with whom I had a 3 year relationship. 3 months into that trip the relationship was over and I continued to travel by myself. And since then I have made 4 more journeys to India, each time alone. Choosing this escape to a foreign land where travelers come together from around the world and very few Americans.
I would never have chosen to give up my American Dream life to wander around India back then if I hadn’t been encouraged by my ex-bf. So despite the frequent heart crippling moments I shared with him, I still give him props for inspiring me and introducing me to this amazing country.
However, after we split I never traveled with anyone from home since. The only time I have ever traveled with friends was with the travelers from other countries that I met along the way.
The past few weeks I have been preparing myself for my worlds to collide: Portland and India. WOAH
I think this will be good for me! Not just because Luke is the bomb and I am stoked to have a pal to roam with for a bit…but also because I question sometimes if this dual life of splitting my year between India and Portland is emotionally un-grounding; disabling myself to create strong connections with either place. Somehow though it works for me. So when I begin to question this life I have, I stop myself and ask “but are you happy?”
And the answer is …mostly yes.

***
So anyway, I really am so … wow … picking … up …friend… from Portland…in Delhi…
What a TRIP!

Ha!
This will be so FUN to see India through his eyes, his first time. Cool
I’m really stoked because countless times while I’m over here in some freaking kick ass place I wonder “why don’t my friends come here????” Cuz I know y’all would love it!!
And now I can watch as a friend falls in love with this place too.