Sitting in Heathrow Airport waiting for my gate to be assigned

I got to Boston Logan Airport by 3pm ET.  I made it through the security check no problems. The escalator to get to the plane was broken.  I actually had to use assistance.  I have never done this in 13 years, but to walk down stairs with my computer bag and carry on bag would have been impossible.  The plane was boarded and we sat.  And we sat some more.  Something with the luggage.  

The best part of the plane was there was no one sitting in the middle seat.  There were a group of teenage girls from around the country going to Spain for 5 months.  One girl was from Omaha, Nebraska.  They were so excited.  They were very nice young women.

I was talking to a man while waiting to board the plane.  He told me that the wine and spirits were free.  So I got white wine.  Dinner was chicken curry, salad, roll and dessert.  It was very good.  

I was able to watch 3 movies during the flight from Boston to London.  I watched Despicle Me 2, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 and Planes.  I had extra leg room which helped.

Now the items I forgot at home...

 1. Shampoo and conditioner - I can't believe I forgot this stuff.

 2. Pretzel made today to bring on the plane.  I called Manny and told him.

 3. Sunglasses

My flight to Mumbai leaves at 10am London Time.  I am sitting by customs.  There was a man who fainted has he was walking.  He was more embarassed than anything else.

I am tired, but very excited.  I took my first Malaria pill.  Now everyday for dinner I will take a pill.

More to write about tomorrow when I am in Mumbai.

Tomorrow at this time I should be over the Atlantic Ocean heading to London - Heathrow Airport.

The final packing has begun.  One suitcase is 50.7 pounds.  I have to finish laundry pack the other one.  I will update everyone about the other suitcase tomorrow.

I did get the deep tissue massage and reflexology tonight.  It was the best pain I have felt.  I hope this will ease the swelling in my right leg and ankle.  Only time will tell.

I have talked to my daughter.  Erika will be 21 next week.  The birthday card and present were sent.  I will be calling her on her birthday.  My baby girl is a legal adult.

I am so excited - if you did not notice.  My nervous is gone.  Yesterday I was terrified.  The group of friends in Westboro and Mumbai are wonderful.  They are keeping me grounded.  I am so grateful for all of them.

My husband, Manny, is amazing.  He has been so supportive about this trip.  He is doing all packing.  What will I do when I need to pack in Mumbai?  I will have to Skype him.

Max is at the end of mid-terms in his Senior year at Marian High School.  We are all waiting for acceptance letters from universities around the country.  He is been very quiet about me going to Mumbai.  He will be coming to the airport tomorrow.  I am so happy about this.

At the same time I am away, our kitchen is being renovated.  The entire kitchen will be new and improved. The wall holding up the house between the kitchen and living room will be gone when I get back on March 1st.  It will be a great experience for Manny and Max.   I will update on this throughout the 30 days in Mumbai.

Final words for tonight.... GO BRONCOS

It is Tuesday.  I will be a British Airways plane to Mumbai at this time on Thursday.

Today I went to the Travel Clinic at Lahey Clinic in Burlington.  I got 3 vaccinations - Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Tetanus.  I picked up the Malaria and Diarrhea medications.  The malaria medication will begin 24 hours before landing in Mumbai and taken daily during my stay.

I will have all the packing done tomorrow night.  I am so excited!!!

I have not found out where I am leaving, but I am not trying to panic.
There is tomorrow to have this done.

It is the end of Monday.  I will be leaving on Thursday evening.  

I have so many things running through my mind.  It is hard not to have full control of my situation. I have to let things play out and roll with it. I am laughing as I typed the last 3 words.  People who know me are laughing as well.

Tomorrow I go to the Travel Clinic to get the vaccinations required to go to India.  I know Typhoid and Hepatitis A are 2 needed.  Malaria pills will be given to me.  I hate needles and shots.  It has to be done to prevent illness.

I have bought another box of protein bars.  This brings me to 64 bars for 30 days.  I have granola as well.  I will have to cook some meals.  Cooking is not my favorite chore to do.  I can cook when I have to.  I hate touching raw chicken.   If I cook it, I can't eat it.  I will have to get over this someday.

The deep tissue massage did not happen. Too much happening.

Tomorrow I will be completing the last of the packing.  

I am so excited to meet all of my coworkers and friends.  Mumbai is around the corner.

More tomorrow...Good Night!

Today is Sunday.  I leave for Mumbai on Thursday, 30 Jan.

So many people have asked me if I really want to go to India.  Why would I want to go?
I say why wouldn't I want to go to India.

The country is amazing. The history, culture, food and people are wonderful.  I will be able to experience India with my friends.

I have asked for the past 2 years to go to Mumbai and train my counterparts. They are a group of amazing people. I have known many of my co-workers for 6 years.  (4 coworkers have come to the USA in the past 18 months.)   I know I will learn new things while working in Mumbai.  Will Mumbai be the same once I leave?  Will I be the same?  My goal is to leave a better person.  I want to learn and experience something new every day.

This is my first trip without my husband, Manny.  For 27 years we have traveled together for the major trips. I am planning everything. (I am a Project Manager all the time.)  I know I have no control when the planes will take off and land, but I need to feel I am in control.  I am waiting for the details about my accommodations and transportation while in Mumbai.  I am nervous about having this adventure without Manny.

Note:  My name has been corrected by my company. British Airways charged 17 cents (US) to add a space between my first and middle names.  I was told I will have no problems at the airport due to my name not matching my passport.  Can you believe there is a charge?  I was shocked.

Real packing has begun.  There are 2 large suitcases in the living room.  Manny is packing all of the items. The maximum weight of each suitcase on British Airways is 51 pounds.  Both are under at this time!

Plans for tomorrow is a deep muscle massage in the evening after going to the gym.  More to come...

One more thing...Will I be able to watch the Super Bowl?  I am a Denver Broncos fan.

4 days before I leave...

There is so much to do.
1.  The Travel Agency entered my name incorrectly on my plane ticket.  I am waiting for it to be fixed.
2.  I am waiting for the confirmation of housing for 1 month in Mumbai, India.

The things I have done:
1. Converter money
2. Protein bars have been purchased.
3. Upgraded my airplane seats on all leg of the trips.


I have so much to do for 18-1/2 hour flight from Boston to Mumbai going through Heathrow.

More tomorrow...