Greetings friends. I'm back on the road. I left Toronto on October 15, 2006 and this time, I'm gone for just over 2 months. I stopped in London on the way and spent a night with Raj and Pari. We had a great time and went to an English Priemiership League match in Fulham where we saw the homeside win 2-1. The crowd was quite intimate and really into the match so that was great. It was a pretty short trip in London because I left the next day. But on my way to Heathrow, I did manage to stop by Buckingham Palace to say hello to the queen. She appreciated my visit but unfortunately the tea and scones were finished so I didn't overstay my welcome.

I flew Emirates to India (via Dubai) and all I've gotta say is - Wow, that is an airline! In my books, it's up there with Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand. Their service was exceptional, food was excellent and the entertainment was plentiful (movies, tv, games - you name it). By the way, I got 101 lines in Tetris so I was pretty pleased with myself. The airport in Dubai is a huge shopping mall. It's all duty free shopping in Dubai and you can get everything there! I was there for my layover from midnight to 4:00 am and during that time nothing closed and it was packed the whole time.

I arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday morning (Oct 18) and got through customs and baggage very quickly because mine was the only flight that came in that morning. I was picked up by cousin who took me to my aunt's house in Vile Parle. Nothing has changed at all here. The same traffic, the same noise, the same chaos. But overall, that is the beauty of this place - there really is NOTHING else like it in the world. It's Diwali time now too so you can tell that everyone is getting into that festive mood. There are lights, puntis and candles everywhere in anticipation of the big celebration that starts this Saturday. It will last for about 5 days and I'll be here for all of it (before I leave for Nepal).

Right now here in India there are two growing problems related primarily to mosquitos. One is an outbreak of Dengue Fever which started in New Delhi and is spreading and the other is something called Chikungunya which causes paralysis and started in the south and in Africa. It's spreading as well so you have to be very careful. I am wearing mosquito repellent like hand cream and cologne combined. I am trying to wear long sleeves and long pants as much as I can but in 35 degrees PLUS (and 100% humidity), that makes for a daunting task.

Diwali is right around the corner. I can hear fireworks every night as people are already starting. I really don't know what to compare this too back home. Think of Canada Day or the 4th of July Fireworks (that crazy 2 or 3 minute show you watch at night) and multiply that by 100 and then imagine it occuring every minute of the day from about 6:00 am until 11:00 pm. That's what I've been warned about...so we'll see what comes next.

Thanks for reading and I will talk with you all soon.