We are back in Delhi at the plush, ivory tower-like Hans Plaza hotel. I went out walking with Slyvia and Breanna towards connaught place circle and found a really good indian restaurant. We found few shops, and the shops were either convenience type stores, street vendors or ones like lacoste or united colors of bennetton.

We found out how to use the "subway system" which are underground ped crossings. This morning we got here around 6:40 am after taking an overnight bus, all night, from Dharamsala. When we arrived we went up and had breakfast. We watched the presidential debate and I received my absentee ballot on one of the last days in Dharamsala, which was very exciting. I was glad it came before I left and my vote is (at least in theory) going to count.

Last night was hell - I drifted in and out of a bumpy and fitful rest on the bus. The first part coming down the mountain several people threw up. I doled out my anti-nauseau medication I had gotten for my previous illness from the western hospital in Dharamsala and we managed to make it.

This hotel is much of an ivory tower with the noise and dirt of Delhi below, rising above all that into the warm sun and cool breeze that makes it feel like a vacation. It is very sunny here, and flat. There is a lot more pollution here, but also it seems more trees than major cities in the US. You look out and everything is different, round-domed temples dot the landscape, the building designs, construction materials, upkeep is not as good. Signs in hindi. The smell is also very different - some of the same burning smells of dharamsala mixed with more air pollution from factories and cars.

Slyvia and Breanna eat lunch with me in Delhi.