Landing in Bangalore

Love and hugs from Bangalore India! After HOURS and HOURS of flight, it felt good to finally step off the airplane. We were surprised at how strict the security was to get in! They even took our temperature to make sure that we did not have the swine flu. Our bicycles and luggage arrived fine. We walked out the front doors of the airport and we met India for the first time! It was about six in the morning and immediately we saw a sign that read Mr Steve Cavanagh and Mrs. Teresa Cavanagh! Our driver was waiting with a big welcoming grin. He helped us load the bicycles in the jeep/truck. In the early wee hours, traffic was very light and everything was closed. It almost looked like a ghost city. The airport is about ten miles outside the city. We stopped at the hotel where our friend, John, is staying. It was so surreal to see John standing outside on the street. It seems as though he belongs at the Wild Bull or at the Strutt in Kalamazoo. We greeted each other warmly and he jumped into the jeep with us to accompany us to our hotel. Our hotel is very basic with bucket shower, but roomy and in a safe location on the main drag. You would think that after hours and hours of sitting on the airplane we would be loaded with energy. However, somehow we feel utterly exhausted. Since everything was closed anyway and John had to go to get ready for work, we thought we would take a quick nap. Our quick nap tip-toed into hours. Steve woke me up at noon (India time). We took bucket showers and we find ourselves typing to you in this internet cafe just a few blocks from our hotel. It is broad day-light and the streets are bustling now with people scurring to make their purchases and lots of traffic. Yet, my body tells me it's the middle of the night.

The battle plan to combat the jet-lag is to stay awake until ten o'clock then sleep well to prepare ourselves for our first day of cycling tomorrow! We have a ride set to pick us up at 6:30 a.m. and drive us about an hour outside the city.

Let the adventure begin! I am ready to meet India!


Lots of love, Teresa and Steve