The arrival in Delhi was chaotic to say the least. We arrived at least an hour late to then find out that three hundred bags didn’t make it from London –  so three hundred people basically stampeded the baggage claim area all at once. I didn’t have the hotel information and I couldn’t find my group so I had to figure out how to make my phone work and call home to find the hotel address. About 45 minutes later I had the paperwork squared away and my travel group had found me. British Airways was promising the luggage to be delivered in 24-48 hours. Thus began my trip in India.

Delhi was chaotic and crazy! Traffic lanes in India are suggestions more than a law so where there are three lanes driver’s were squashed into five lanes. Every possible form of transportation was on the road — cars, rickshaws, bikes, pedestrians, carts, donkeys, monkeys, elephants and oxen going every which direction.

We ate, shopped and did some sightseeing but mostly gawking and shooting photos out of the car windows. The colors of the native dress were beautiful and in stark contrast to the old run down buildings. It was indicative of the disparity of everything in India.

We also went to a couple of native music concerts which were amazing. I was struck by how music is something all peoples, races and cultures have in common. It seems like a simple idea but it brought tears to my eyes to see people’s heads bouncing to the music.

We were only in Delhi for a couple of days on the way to Dharmasala and unfortunately my luggage did not make it before we left.  So onward we went with me in the clothes on my back on and not much else.

Five days later in Dharamsala — home of the Dalai Lama esconced in the foothills of the Himalyas – I still have no luggage. It’s been quite frustrating and an exercise in giving up any attachment on needing to have my “things.” I’ve been borrowing clothes and buying the necessities. I’m still hopeful the luggage will still arrive, but who really knows. I’m on Indian time now.

Dharamsala is my place — a mountain town of extremes. It still has some of the chaos in its small streets but much more quaint. Listening to the Dalai Lama was inspiring. Today was a hiking day to a waterfall and some distant peaks finally showed themselves. Were hailed, snowed and rained on.

It’s hard to describe India in words to do it justice. It is 180 degree difference from the Western world. I’ve been very emotional since arriving here dealing with the disparity between the haves and have nots and how much we have in the US.

Heading into day six with still no luggage. More later this week.