I am now at (uh, well, sporadically):

www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/tdye

It's much easier and faster, when I'm able to get online. :-)

Yikes -- back to reality in four days.

So I think I'm going to switch to travelpod and make a second attempt at blogging. Or perhaps a more serious attempt. I'll email when it's ready to go. Hopefully, that won't be in October.

Clearly this blogging business has not been proceeding smoothly...

I'll let the pictures tell the stories...

Yea!!!! I'm here! I'm here! But let's go back a moment...

The pre-departure orientation in Madison was filled with surprises. I had had this vision of cement cells with mosquito nets and trekking through India -- was I wrong. The Fulbright Commission is serious business and they take care of their awardees. We had world class presenters from Oxford and the like (slackers) who informed us about Indian history and economics, culture, Hindi, and how to not totally embarrass yourself or your country. It was really well organized and the folks from UW and USIEF were great.

Madison is a sweet town. Really pretty and tranquil. Check it out: A lakefront two-bedroom condo is $199,999. Could it be the winters?

*

The flight out was from Madison to Chicago to Frankfurt to Delhi. I'm not quite sure how long it took -- still kinda dazed. I think we were in the air for 17 hours, more or less.

Well, it was pretty crazy getting out of Salinas. No surprise on the Shark scene, eh? Swimming until Thursday, running around trying to prep for the trip on Friday and Saturday. I thought I had it all worked out, but the details began to slide after the USA lost on Saturday. So sad.

The Martels are pretty amazing. Up until one in the morning; groggily awakening at four-fifteen. Geneva tolerating my brief moment of psychosis and Kiel advising me on kraits and kings. Manu putting up with it all. Thank you for the beautiful farewell.

The Dyes and Tuckers are incredible, too. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, generosity, and support. Mom: When I grow up I want to be like you. AB & UF: I'm laughing now as I think of your greeting at the door in kurta and sari. What spirit! What savoir-faire! We're small in number but powerful in love.

And Sherwood! What an overwhelming experience to walk into the lounge and be greeted by your cheers and smiles and positive thoughts. I was speechless -- and you know that doesn't happen too often, ha ha. Thank you for your unbelievable gifts; wow - again, I don't have words.

It is very humbling to receive such kindness and love from family, friends, and comrades. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

One month away...

Two months away