Warming up the Ol' Passport

Over 3.5 years ago, my old passport was just finishing off her rounds in South Africa and Asia, literally on her last legs. The border officers at Mozambique were nicely bribed (with a wonderful smile, of course) to let me through with a passport that had less than 6 months left until its expiry date. I returned home with her to enjoy some retirement days back in Vancouver. Now, a new and untouched passport with an unsmiling mug shot is coming with me while I head off to a new adventure - back to the Old World - this time to India. The day of departure is less than one month away - I hope we will get along great.

I've often dreamed about visiting this country with its rich culture and spice markets brimming with bright yellow turmeric and pungent curry. I imagine colourful cloths and flowers on displays, and crowds of people on the street, similar but strangely different from China. I can almost hear the sounds of street vendors, selling in a different language, and Bollywood songs from radios.

Yes - I'm excited. I aspire to withstand the heat in the following months. I aspire to eat good chapati and wear flowers in my hair. I aspire to keep you all updated as you sit at the edge of your ergonomic computer chairs through this magical thing called blog. . .