Six days in India

With 4 1/2 hours to departure, we headed to one of my homes away from home, the spacious and pleasant H/K Admirals Club.

At T-3.5 we headed for the taxi stand and the Norridge Walgreens to correct a major senior moment embarrassment. Not only had I forgotten my blood pressure meds, I left my entire toiletries bag at home. Quel idiot! Don't know I was thinking this morning but in all my travels, that was a first. I had all the India meds in one bag, and just forgot the regular bag. Left it on the counter in the bathroom. Didn't even realize it until Mrs. SFO left a VM. She was so sweet about it... even had the kit with her on her errands this morning and was going to go to FedEx to try to ship them to India. Fortunately, I was able to find my Walgreens prescription number online and called it in the store closest to O'Hare. Taxi driver was initially not pleased about the short trip... Walgreens in Norridge and then back to T-5 but was happy when we asked what his typical ORD ride was and we told him we'd pay him his $40.

We got a big laugh at the presumably standard Chicago taxi $50 Vomit Cleanup Fee. Our driver said he actually had it once, couple of months ago. He had to call the cops when the woman refused. She paid up when the cop gave her the "$50 or jail" option.

One of the advantages of a taxi is door-to-door service and you don't have to take the train between terminals. We arrived back at ORD and T-5 departures level at just under 3 hours before departure. Not much activity at the LX counter or anywhere in the terminal for that matter. We were the only pax at security.

Not sure what the thinking was with this terminal. Maybe there was a space limitation, maybe budget issues and/or too many cronies to pay off, but wow, this is one butt ugly and poorly designed monstrosity. Long narrow, dark corridors with very little space or open areas. What a stark comparison to the beautiful International Terminal at SFO.

Next up: Small but very pleasant FCL at ORD.

Swiss 9
ORD-ZRH
A330-300
February 2, 2013
7:10P-10:55A +1 (scheduled)
7:05P-9:58A +1 (actual)
Departed 4/8
Seats 2DG

Boarding had indeed begun by the time we arrived at M7. But the priority line and relatively few pax in the jet bridge meant we were on board fairly quickly. But again, 2L was the only door LX was using for boarding. What is it with LX refusing to use 1L for separate F boarding?

But once in the cabin, all was forgiven, or at least filed away until. I wasn't sure about the cabin on our first A333 flight, but I am warming to it a bit. The seat comfort controls worked a little better than last time and I was able to contour the seat a little better. But it is still not that comfortable IMO.

The crab cake with remoulade amuse-bouche was very good.

Champagne was OK, but not the Grand Siecle. FA gave the same lame "problem with customs" company line as we received in LAX last month. Just pay the duty and serve the Grand Siecle.

The LX map feature is pretty cool, especially GPS over an actual satellite map at the airports.

Once in the air, our crew went into action.

And showtime...

We arrived at the gate area at about T-35, cleared another passport/visa control.

And boarded five minutes later after fighting thru Euro gate lice Y pax who clogged the boarded area.

Swiss 146
ZRH-DEL
A330-300
February 3, 2013
12:45P-12:45A +1 (scheduled)
12:45P-12:30A +1 (actual)
Departed 3/8
Seats 2DG

Almost had the entire cabin to ourselves tonight as only one other pax joined us, in 1K. Friendly crew welcomed us on board and a few minutes later, we had champagne and the our pre-departure amuse bouche... the current x-ZRH New potatoes with Vacherin Fribourgeois cheese and dried venison sausage. Wow, was particularly pungent (aka stinky) today that we both wondered whether it was our feet or the cheese we were smelling. A few bites and we asked the FA to remove.

Since we had our choice of seats, I moved over the 2A for push, taxi and take-off... and lots of great pics.

Interesting training DC-8 off to the right of Runway 16

Right after take-off, our FA jumped into action. With the same old uninspiring wine list, I went for beer, especially since I was going to have the Indian main. The Swiss Quollfrisch was very good.

Delhi

Since Mrs. SFO wasn't here, I told our TA that we wanted to see the real Delhi in addition to the usual tourist attractions. And wow, they sure delivered on that one. We started the day with a walk thru the tough area of new Delhi near the train station, an area where runaway/abandoned kids tend to occupy. The Salaam Balak Trust works with street children in Delhi providing them with a secure environment as well as health and education. The Trust has developed a city walk through the inner city, and the guides are the young people who have been rescued and know the area intimately. While introducing you to the heritage and the life of the backstreets of Delhi, little seen by the visitors, they also share with you stories of their life journeys. Our guide Ajay, who himself was abandoned at age 7 but nearly 10 years later, has turned his life around and is on his way to go to college in the next couple of years.

The sights and sounds of Delhi. As our guide said, there are three requirements to be able to drive in Delhi... a good horn, good brakes and good luck.