I just arrived in India this morning. I'm in total culture shock and I feel lost and alone. I knew I would, but it's hard to prepare for such a dramatic change between western and eastern cultures. Had a couple of days in London which were great, though really busy! My family there was wonderful as usual, and it was a nice respite before traveling onwards.

    First off, my flight was delayed an hour. I was put on the plane next to a disgusting Indian man named Mukesh who wouldn't leave me alone. Stalker-freak type. Tried to sell me his mobile phone. His questions were materialistic and irritating as hell, "Do you have no interest in gold? How much were your Nike shoes? How much was your discman? Are you married?" No, sweetheart, and not even in my most horrifying, vivid nightmares, would I ever consider YOU as a prospective husband. Yuck. Only ten minutes into the flight and he was threatening to visit my family in the USA. Noooo! And then he took a photo of me with his phone/camera, which I promptly told him to ERASE. He tried to READ MY DIARY several times and wouldn't listen when I told him to go away. He went to sleep sprawled across two seats, his nasty hands coming dangerously close to my back and my thigh and he wouldn't listen when I told him to MOVE THEM. I wanted to cry.

    Finally landed in Delhi and felt dazed and irritated and so scared! There were goats at the aiport! Luckily got my luggage and think I got swindled on the cab to my hotel. No one drives in the lanes! They are all over the place. Tried to sleep but was too nervous. This morning I woke up and looked out the window and has this deep pit of fear growing in my stomach. What the hell am I DOING here? All by myself? Took a stroll this afternoon and men were pissing on the streets, beggars were grabbing my shoulders, rickshaw men wanted me to ride with them. It's all too much. I was going to find a backpackers place to stay to meet other people, but I booked in the posh hotel for one more night to regain my sanity.

    This is where the real "adventure" begins.

~Hope