The last days in India were a bit of a blur. On Valentine’s day, we went to a zoo. And got interviewed about our love lives. Unsurprisingly, they news only included Janine’s segment about missing her husband. They cut the rest of us spinster hussies out of there.
We also go tangled up in a labor protest. It took us about an hour to get through all the people. Vanessa and I were fighting panic attacks the entire way, tooo many humans and tooo little air.
After sweating our way through the zoo, our host parents decided to take us out for Valentine’s Day at Villa Maya. We dressed up in our sarees and headed out.
The restaurant is a renovated palace and it was beautiful. I want to buy whoever decorated this and force them to make my future home pretty just like this.
We were floored by the prices. Considering it was one of the nicest restaurants in town, I almost had a stroke when the price of a nine ounce tenderloin was $7. SEVEN DOLLARS. Unbelievable. Jennifer got the steak and I chose chicken wrapped in pastry dough for less than $6. It was delicious.
And lobster cappuccino soup which was marvelous.
Then we had some heart-shaped dessert. So romantic.
We spent our last day in Trivandrum hanging out with our host mother and being silly. She knows how to work a bandana.
We also said goodbye to Vanessa and Yajaira who were leaving for their three week journey through India on their own. It was so weird without them. After that tearful goodbye, we spent another six hours sobbing uncontrollably as people came to bid us farewell. It sucked. At midnight we were shoved out the door and the van full of tears made its way to the airport. Fake happiness, gross hair, and lots of luggage.
I will say that I have much more appreciation for American airports now. Getting through security and checking our luggage took a million years even though there wasn’t a line. I felt like everything I did was wrong and we spent about an hour getting bounced between lines. After we had our checked bags scanned, we had to go through another security line where the lady said we only had to remove laptops before scanning. Turns out laptops actually means all electronics.
Janine and I spent about an hour watching as our backpacks were dumped out and picked through. It was slightly disconcerting as they wanted to throw away about half of our things including her $6000 camera lens because a weapon could be contained it. I thought she was going to have a heart attack. Eventually we got our things back and went through the pat down area. Full pat down on all the parts. Fun times.
Because our flight didn’t leave until 4:30 am, we got to spend some quality time together in the terminal. It’s not like the three of us hadn’t been sharing a room for three weeks already. We also enjoyed our final encounter with Indian bathrooms. In case you aren’t sure which one to use, ladies just need to locate the door with Emma Roberts on it.
All the bathrooms in the airport featured multiple pictures of her. I laughed every time. I managed to stay awake on the flight to Dubai, but was ready to pass out about four seconds after we took off for Houston. It was 10 pm in Texas, so I popped an Ambien and went to sleep.
When I woke up after seven blissful hours, I was clutching a croissant in my hand. I asked my seatmate what it was and he said “your bread.” I asked why I had it in my hand and he said “because you were eating it.” I had no idea where it came from. As it turns out, I ordered and ate an entire breakfast during my Ambien nap. Zero memory of it. He said I was awake and really excited about it. Probably not going to be taking Ambien in public again. On the bright side, I had a snack to enjoy when I woke up.
I managed to stay awake for the remaining 10 hours of the trip. As it turns out, my body has zero problem sitting in one place while watching endless movies. I saw Argo (amazinggggggg), Lincoln (again, and even better the second time), Ruby Sparks (kind of depressing), Wreck It Ralph (insert lots of tears), and Looper (meh). I also enjoyed a spectacular view of Greenland. I kept getting in trouble for opening the shade on my window, but I just couldn’t resist.
How gorgeous is that? I’ve never seen anything like that before, I was completely awestruck.
Once we landed, Jennifer and I headed toward our gate. But before we could get there, the sweet sweet smell of hamburgers stopped us dead in our tracks. So, we changed directions and headed toward hamburger heaven.
(source)
I don’t know how many kinds of wrong it is to get super excited about a Chili’s restaurant, but we were ecstatic. We started with chips, queso, and beer.
And finished with bacon cheeseburgers.
It was sooooo good. I missed you grease, I missed you so much. When we arrived in Corpus, the district governor was there to meet us. That was a bit of a surprise. He wanted to make sure Jennifer was okay and talk to us about some problems we experienced. Super nice of him. After speaking to him, my boss drove us home and gave me a gift:
Best boss ever. As soon as I got home I ran to the bathroom and enjoyed the hottest bath of my life. Bathtub, I missed you so much.
After Jennifer cleaned up, we settled down for some Thin Mints and Downton Abbey.
What is going on!!!!! I still have the last episode to watch and I am completely flummoxed by this season. Flummoxed I tell you! And I got to spend time with my fat little lady.
It was a fantastic Saturday night. It was not a fantastic Monday morning, but I’m alive and I haven’t killed anyone, so all is well.
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So glad you are back on USA soil.
Reading about your trip makes me want to study abroad more than ever! It’s such a good idea to get out there and experience new cultures. Plus you look GORGEOUS in your Sari.
Oh you should! It was a great experience and even the challenges were worth it. There were a lot of rough situations, but I am so much more thankful for my life and I have a lot more patience for things now. You should do it, and it looks great on your resume. Doooooooooo it.
so glad you are back and that rhobh gif is the best! the last episode is so good watch it!!!
Isn’t it strange to be home? And to have to go to work again? So glad you got the opportunity to see and travel through India. It’s too bad that the trip didn’t go as promised, but at least you still got the chance to see and experience a different country and culture.
And the first food and shower back home is the best feeling after being in another country!
Good luck adjusting to the time difference…
It was wonderful and I am so thankful to have had that experience. But, damn I’m glad to be home with my high-powered hair dryer and endless toilet paper. I am struggling to get ready in the morning because my routine is totally off and I keep forgetting major steps. But, at least I’m going to work right?
Gah Downton kinda sucked this season! Was just discussing with my coworkers how we felt like for the family storylines they really sacrificed characters for drama!
Glad your back! That saree is freakin’ beautiful on you. I felt the same about Looper. Why would you get in trouble for opening your blind on a plane? Can I have more random thoughts?
1. Thanks for the compliment. I’m telling you, those things are highly flattering and cover all lumpy parts.
2. Ugh, Looper. WTF!
3. The plane was darkened since it was “nighttime” and when I opened my shade (just three inches I swear) it let light in. So, I kept getting told to shut it. It was just so pretty.
Okay, I’ve been waiting weeks for you to finish Downton Abbey so you can share my issues. So let me know when you see the final episode! Also- really glad you’re back!
I have big exciting plans to finish it tonight!! I will text you because I already feel like I need therapy.
Having some alcohol on hand wouldn’t be a bad idea either…
Welcome back! I love the wine colored sari above!
I loved Argo, although I spent the vast majority of the movie clutching the collar of my jacket in front of my mouth. SO STRESSFUL! When we were leaving the theater, a friend of mine cornered his wife and started yelling “WHAT’S YOUR MIDDLE NAME!” It was funnier and less creepy in real life.
I quite enjoyed Looper, although I did not anticipate the violence. Apparently “mob hitmen” does not equal violence in my world. There were a lot of loopholes in the storyline in the end…
Oh yeah, welcome back!
Downton = not sure what to do with myself after that finale’s ending. I dreamed about it on Sunday night. Horrible.
Glad you’re back!
I can’t believe your trip is over already! haha Thank you for sharing it with us! Glad you made it back safely :)
Your story has been amazing to follow. Glad to see you survived. The picture of Greenland is beautiful. I would have kept opening the shade as well.
I loved following your trip! I also really liked your curly hair! Is it that curly at home or was it something with the climate there?
It’s that curly naturally, I just straighten it every day. I just didn’t have the time, patience, or necessary tools while I was over there. It feels too out of control and messy the other way when I’m at work.
I enjoy how you think that lion looks just like when I’m laying on the couch watching tv.
Welcome home! Glad you didn’t get sick and have to lose 20 pounds in some horrific manner, although that might make for some great blogging.
Ambien+breakfast. I literally had my hand over my mouth, laughing so hard. Not so cool when you’re in an office by yourself without anyone else to blame.
Welcome home! How do you feel? My experience in India was much different from yours, but my return to the states after India was the first time I’d ever felt excited to return home (rather than depressed at the thought of returning home from a vacation/trip.)
I also remember being super pumped for American food (burgers, pizza, peanut butter!!!!) Not to mention, it’s been about 6 months since I’ve been back, and I’ve yet to eat Indian food here (I even LIKE it, just so burnt out.) Although, I think I’m finally ready to give some saag & naan a go again :D
Welcome Home!!! Glad you made it back safe, and totally looking forward to getting your review of this season of Downton. It kills me that we have to wait so damn long for the next season!
Now I really want Emma Roberts to go to India.
Welcome back! Your Ambien breakfast was hi-larious. Yeah, don’t do that again.
I haven’t watched Downton Abbey yet this season. I would say its cause I was waiting for you to get back, but really I’ve just been slacking on the TV. And the husband suddenly got obsessed with Archer so DA’s been reprioritized. Sigh, this weekend, though. It’s on.
Welcome back! The only thing that sounds scarier than Ambien shopping is Ambien eating! Also, I went to Germany in November and was in total, TOTAL awe as we flew over Greenland.
Hmm, sorry for the weird name in my comment above. Promise I’m not some strange spammer :)
I’m actually kind of jealous that you woke up with a croissant in your hand. I wish things like that happened when I took Ambien.
Welcome home!!!!!
Welcome home!
welcome home!! ..totally thought that pic of the chicken was a pig head. no clue where my brain is at this am.
Welcome Home!! It was fantastic hearing about your adventures in India.
I cannot stop staring at that Greenland picture! I would have done the same. Mesmerizingly beautiful!