Jan 19th - Vancouver Aiport - 4:30pm

I should've taken bets as to when the reality of this journey would hit me. I had thought it would've been when I finally got my hands on my elusive student visa (which was a hassle-and-a-half to try and get on short notice), but no. Many said I'd feel it when I finished packing, sowed my flag onto my backpack, or left for the airport. But here I am, sittining a German uber-plane, still feeling like I could be doing something as binine as heading into Vancouver for the day. Sure, I've had my moments- for example, as I was walking up to the barding gates I felt a giddy smile sneak across my face. But somehow it still hasn't really hit me.

I'm currently checking out the in-flight movie options as I feel the last few meters of Vancouver soil rummble underneath the wheels of this jet. I'm not close enough to a window to catch a final glimps of BC sceanery, but I'm sure it's the same mixture of forest greens and rainy greys as it has been all week. I would be the last bit of daytime landscape I'll see before I wake up in Delhi in ~30hrs The expanse and openness of BC city streets is one thing I'm sure I'll miss while attempting to navigate the bustling Indian city-scapes. Perhaps that when it'll all hit me. When I'm sitting in the passanger seat, taxiing fromg the airport into Delhi; where even at my 1am arrival time, the roads will be congested with vehicals. Each of them honking non-stop as if the were angryly yelling at each other.

From my past experiences in Delhi, the city hits you with an agressive onslaught of sound as soon as leave the safty of the airport. Its a wall of honking and blasted Hindi music cranked up to 11 (Spinal Tap reference) that shouts "India mein aapka swagat hai!" or, "Welcome to India! You're either going to love it or hate it here!" And good God, do I ever love India.

I think it'll be then - gripping in fear at the standard Indian taxi ride, praying to the Ganesha bobble headed figurine on the dashboard and watching the sea of headlights whip past my window- that I'll finally internatlize the fact the I'm giong to be living in India.

India is, after all, a 'sensual' country. It must be seen, felt, smelt, heard and tasted! For better or worse, it's all part of the experience. But for now, India is still just a destination written on my plane ticket. Just about 20 hours to go!