Its booked

India - I am finally going to India. I leave New York on December 24. Arrive in Bangalore 19 hours later. Three weeks.

I'm not sure I know what I'm getting myself into.

Reason #2649

They were filming an episode of Law & Order - Criminal Intent outside my office today. Check out the pic of Chris Noth getting his nose powdered. I don't know what made me happier, that I got a glimpse into the world of my favorite TV series or that the street was blocked off to traffic so I could cross at my leisure.

This is why I love New York.

A surprise dose of patriotism

The security line at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was like nothing I had ever seen. Scores of people everywhere. Men in uniform are noticable. I am not talking about the men on segways barking orders to passengers, telling us what should go in bins, to táke laptops out of bags, etc, but military men, in full gear waiting to go through security, off to destinations unknown.

I put my stuff on the belt and just as I take off my shoes hear a voice call out "Ladies and Gentleman, I would like you all to take a moment to look at these fine soldiers and give them a round of applause". And we all did. Everyone stopped the madness and clapped and cheered towards a group of young men waiting in our midst. My heart is tugged in a multitude of directions when I realise that they are all younger and more courageous than me.

As I get through the gate I find that my colleague has struck up a conversation with one of these men. We learn that he is on his way to a training boot camp, having just left his job, his life, his everything. He is excited, optimistic, and talks about how great "basic" was and eager to see what is next.

He wants a better life, better than a career spent in management of fast food restaurants. Wants his family to be proud and his friends to have someone to look up to. His only complaint is that the uniforms have metal buckles that need to be removed to get through security. Thats it. Everything else is gravy, and he smiles as he tells me "This is the best country in the world" and at that moment I can not disagree of his opinion of my adopted home.

As he leaves I thank him. Thank him for doing something I do not want to do, that I would never do in this or any country. He turns and looks me directly in the eyes and says "You are welcome miss, its no problem at all"