I'M HERE!

(There ya go Ben, a Title, ok! :-) )
So today was the big day. I couldn’t believe that it was here already! I actually slept really well last night, surprisingly. My goodbye with Michael was rough, but we did okay I think. Kev came with Mom and Dad and I to JFK. After we checked in my bags we just hung around the airport. My goodbye with Mom and Dad was similar to that of Michaels, not too overboar. I’m sure if I had more time I would have been balling. It was such an extraordinary mix of feelings I was having at the time; I was sad to leave them and be traveling around the world without them, I was so excited, I was grateful for them for giving me this opportunity, I was so nervous to do this on my own, and I was just overflowing with emotions. So I watched them as the left JFK, and I stood online to check in and board my flight to Dubai.
The plane to Dubai was amazing. The entertainment was the coolest part. They had a million movies you could watch, along with TV episodes, Sports TV, and a million other options. The coolest part, that I knew Dad would have loved, was that you could watch different camera views from the plane. There was a front view (you could see what the pilot was seeing) along with a bottom of the plane view (cool to look at during landing). Jenna, you would be proud to know I didn't take any drugs, alcohol, or other forms of medication to get through all this! The man I was next to was relatively young, not smelly (good thing Kate), didn’t talk to me, and actually slept most of the trip so no complaints there! The only bad thing was that I couldn’t really sleep. So much for the “I can sleep anywhere”…
So the trip to Dubai wasn’t so bad after all. We landed after a 12 hour flight and got into Dubai. I was focused so hard on making it to my gate. I passed an exchange area and wanted so badly to get Michael Dubai currency, but I didn’t want to stop. By the time I went through security again I only had 30 minutes until my plane took off, and the airport was huge! Unfortunately it wasn’t that awesome, or at least I didn’t see the awesomeness. I was only in a small area. I got to what I thought was my gate and it read “Emirates to Paris” and I had a minor heart attack. I took my brother’s so helpful advice and I stayed calm and asked someone. Luckily it was the right gate, they were just having trouble with the sign I guess at the check-in point. I have to say, it was such a cool feeling to go through the whole process, look at all the signs, find my flight and follow the gate…I’ve never felt more competent and confident in my life.
My trip to Mumbai was nice. The plane was a little bit smaller; two, four, two across. I had a window seat! (Yay!) and there was no one sitting next to me. After I landed in Mumbai I had to do customs..the line was sooo long, and the airport was so hot. It was 79 degrees when I landed, and not dry heat either. Luckily I made it through ok, and as I grabbed my bags and headed outside I saw Father Borges brother, Arthur, waiting for me with a driver. I can't even explain the trip back to Pune. If anyone thinks NYC traffic is bad, it's nothing and I mean NOTHING compared to what I saw. The drive to the center in Pune took about 4 hours, and it was the only sleep I had gotten. I dosed here and there, but took the time to view the country. It was absolutely beautiful. I fell in love the moment I saw it; it's true about colors (Dad there are hibiscus flowers all over) and the people are so wonderful. Although, for a developing country, I did see a lot of poverty on my way to Pune. I wasn't surprised though, or overwhelmed. It's almost as if the people are okay with the way they live, and they go about their normal routines.
We got to Sangam, the G.S. Center, and it was completely gated off. A guard let us in and Arthur saw me to the front door. There I was greeted by 7 women, all whom work at the center and wanted to meet me. They all welcomed me with huge hugs and warm hellos. Mom, this is what being a Girl Scout is all about, feeling comfortable with 'strangers' half-way around the world.
I took a brief tour around the center. It's absolutely stunning. There is a huge garden with beautiful plants and trees in the center of it along with a full size swimming pool. My bedroom overlooks the pool/garden area. Two of the young girls who are programme coordinators here (just PC's Jenna, they don't scare me..they gots no E) they are 22 and 23, and they made me dinner. One is named Sara and she's from Wales, and the other is Jemma (no joke) from Ireland. They showed me the ropes. Oh yea, and there's Lucky and Bubblie..two dogs I can pet Dave! They live here at the center and protect us from strangers. They are so cute.
Well, I'm sorry this was such a long post...it is the first day (and it was technically two days). I have internet here so I will definitely be keeping you updated. Thanks guys for checking up on me.

xoxo
Lin