Bonita

Greetings from New Delhi! I am safe and sound and actually arrived last night, a few hours after the horrific terrorist bombings! I learned about the bombings as I was WAITING endlessly for my suitcases, which were undergoing extra examination due to the fqact the city was under a state of alert. Anyways, it was a very sad homecomming to India, and i tried to keep my spirits up today as I prepared for my 6 months in Delhi. I went to my local market which is Greater KALISH 1 TO load up on some supplies before i HIT the road with a group, and the security was intense and I was a bit uncomfortable..Also, the market was very empty..However, by evening time things were moving again here, and even PARHGANJ and Saronjini nagar, the markets hit were open and bustling..About the attack! The toll from the ground here is that there are about 59 dead and about 200 wounded, but there are also many still missing and many of the dead are not identified. and will never be! The bombs hit in three places over the course of about 30 MINUTES, between 5;30 AND 6;00 PM..the first explosion was in PARHAGANJ around 5;30, THE main bazaar and also a area for very low-budget toursits-BACKPACKERS. The second blast was in a bus in DTC at Govindpuri at around 5;50 and the thrid and worse hit was the crowded market at Sarojini nagar, about 6;00. tHERE was another bomb that was earlier discovered and difused and this was in OLD Delhi near Chandni Chowk. IT is soo sad, and the great festival of Diwali is just around the corner and also toursim in India is just starting to boom!. Everyone i know is just trying to move on and not let this get the best of them. The general attitude, Life goes on, things happen everywhere, we must live and not let them get us or change our life..Yes we must live and enjoy every moment of our precious life! And yes, do come to India too!

laurieco

Bonita, I'm sure I speak for everyone on this board who knows you through your posts, that we are all VERY relieved that you are unharmed, at least physically, by this horrid act. I hope your time in India will be enjoyable and safe.

TracyB

Good point there, Boston Harbor....
I am actually very excited today..But to be honest with you..Almost every holiday we have gone on in the last several years has either had a bomb explosion or natural disaster right before we are leaving or right after we get back..Most recently, we were in London right before the latest bombings..Went to Paris years ago, the day after a bombing...Earthquake in Japan, a few days before we were leaving..Earthquake in SFO a few days before we arrived (years ago)..And the list goes on.

Marilyn

Tracy, could you post your travel schedule for 2006 so we can all be sure not to be anywhere just before or after you?

TracyB

LOL Marylin...I will try and remember that!!