Readjusting

10 days back in San Francisco, and I'm still feeling overwhelmed- with being back, with how out of touch with reality SF is, with starting over, with running into people I know all over the place... All just so strange. And how am I supposed to answer in one sentence the ubiquitous question, 'how was India?'

But I am really enjoying eating all of the foods I missed- like an almond croissant this morning at Tartine. Yum!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/benjiholzman/collections/72157600921805934/
Benji posted the pics from our northern travels. This one is a favorite: http://www.flickr.com/photos/benjiholzman/877187261/in/set-72157600966974922/ (I was sick and very cold in Leh, way up in the Himalayas.)

When I have regular computer access, I'll write more, I promise.

Returned

I'm back in San Francisco safe and sound as of Monday morning. My first American meal was French toast with strawberries at IHOP, followed by pizza muffins for lunch and a tostada salad at dinner- thus combining salad and a burrito into one delicious whole. The much anticipated burrito itself was consumed yesterday. It feels good to be home, but strange- as if the past 6 months didn't even happen, everything just feels the same. But slightly altered, almost indistinguishably... or maybe that's still the jetlag talking.

Biggest news is that my brother got engaged over the weekend! I went with my future sister-in-law yesterday to the jeweler's and saw 4 people I knew on the way back home (to Dina's place where I'm crashing).

Still so much processing to do. I keep on wanting to say "ek minute" and other Indianisms, and it's especially strange to be without Benji... To be back in SF, but not in my own apartment, and still living out of suitcases, is kind of a false sense of home. But, it's still great to be here.

More to come.

What a long, strange trip it's been

Not to be completely cliché, but the time has unbelievably come. I leave tonight for San Francisco from Delhi, after the biggest whirlwind of my life. Since the last post about Srinigar, we've been in Dharamsala and Rishikesh, and now in the midst of the Delhi monsoon.

In the coming days and weeks back home, I'll try to fill in all the gaps of the journey, and link more photos and video. Thanks for coming along this journey with me, and stay tuned!

Headlines

In lieu of more time and a better internet connection, today's entry will have to suffice as assorted headlines which highlight our recent travels and adventures.

The Incredible Time Vortex of Leh

The Changing Faces, Foods, and Fashions of India

Holy Hippies at the Leh Beit Yehudi (Jewish House)

The Bizarre Mating Rituals of Kashmiri Animals

What Rhymes with Srinigar? (or, delirious musings after a canceled 5am bus)

Over the Himalayas and Across the Indus to Srinigar We Go

"If you only give me a chance, I can make you happy" and Other Tout Techniques

This One Time on a Boat Called Islamabad with 3 Israelis

Colonialist Tourism on a Docked Houseboat

More soon. And- thanks to all of you who have sent me connections for the Obama campaign dream job!!