Anticipation is half the pleasure of travel. The planning and then each step of the journey. I love anticipation.

Frankfurt

My excitement always begins with signs that our destination is just around the corner, and this time it was at Frankfurt airport, when I saw the flight notice.

Then, later, the in-flight video map began to show country names I’d only heard about.

Then, the flight information screen began to give its information in Hindi.

Mumbai airport

Once we landed, it was clear we were in an exotic land. Living in Silicon Valley, I know something about diversity, but this was a whole new level.

Driving to our hotel in the middle of the night we saw men sitting on benches talking, groups of kids wandering–no women of course.

I’ll post all about pulling up at the hotel later, but this was our first introduction to the facilities:

We were escorted to a lounge while our representative checked us in. All dark wood and crystal. The waiter appeared with exotic pink drinks–it was 3am! –which we turned down.  Two men in their early 40s, maybe, sat companionably at a table having a deep conversation about business. At 3 a.m.

For me, the anticipation built with every new experience until it was clear: We aren’t in Kansas, anymore. Or even California.