Stepping off the plane in Chennai, I was welcomed with a blast of humid air and the smell of warm moth balls, not a great combination, but it brought back memories! I headed into the customs check and cleared that with no problems!!! (YES!!!) Then, I went to find my bike box and bag. There they were, safe and sound, and what a relief. I was generously helped by a man working at the airport as a coolie. Then, of course, he wanted a tip. The fun of haggling begins!! I gave him some cash just so he wouldn't follow me and headed toward the door. I was stopped by a customs official who said I had to pay more for my box. I was pretty sure this wasn't true. So I explained and he insisted, and so I went over to where he told me to go. The officials told me go ahead. They didn't have to tell me twice and I headed for the door. The officials stopped me again but this time only to check my passport. Ahhh, it was such a relief when that was over.

I hovered by the doorway because I knew Tad's flight had been delayed and I wasn't about to tackle the taxi and auto rickshaw driver arrangements alone. Soon a man asked me if I was Penny Beckwith. He said he was Paul Iswariah (a friend of ours that was meeting Tad). I was so relieved!!! It was so great to see him. Then we headed to meet Tad's flight.

My first glimpse of Tad was as he was coming across the parking lot at the airport. My eyes welled up with tears and it was just an awesome feeling to see my brother again after almost two years. After a good hug and more introductions (to Paul's brother Peter and his wife Sucheeta) we headed for the hotel. The Iswariahs were just wonderful in getting us settled. It was a blessing to have them do that for us. We stayed up late that night catching up on the time we had missed, and then fell asleep under the fan.

Penny

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