Well, apparently I'm going to India.

Was looking around for a winter trip, came across this.

Sounds fun. I'm in it for the days in Ranthambore NP (there are tigers there), but I'm sure seeing the other places will be fun. Unless cholera or something strikes.

It's going to suck getting there (DEN to Newark, then 14h to Delhi. Total 24h from leaving DEN, more like 26-27 when I consider taking RTD to DEN). So, getting there a day early to pass out/get on their time.

If anyone in these parts has tips on India, I'd appreciate it.

In other news, taking off the 6th to go see friends in N Cen Arkansas, then ? from there. Found out this weekend my nephew is doing a summer internship at Pinehurst, so might drive over by NC. Never been in that part of the country.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention. Tour Dec 15-29. Arriving Dec 14, hope to get more or less on India time before the tour starts.

Booked flights through United. Surprisingly to me, it's shorter to go east than west. I figured since we're most of the way across our continent, and India's kinda sorta in eastern Asia, the Pacific route would be the one taken. So, it's something like: leave here ~9AM Dec 13, 11:45 to Newark at 17:29, then 20:30 to 21:50 Dec 14 in Delhi.

One hiccup. On the return, it's Lufthansa to Frankfurt. Picking seats, united.com informed me I'd have to go through Lufthansa's website. Get over there, can't make online changes, contact the call center.

Get some agent who tells me they don't allow seat selection on code share tickets any more, and the website isn't up-to-date. (I guess changing wording is hard?) Said I should call United.

Got an agent who actually put some effort into it. He called Lufthansa on my behalf and got the info they didn't give me, which is a) there's a charge for seat selection and b) Lufthansa will still move you, at their will, regardless of selection. So, his advice was to grab a seat at check-in time.

It won't be the end of the world if I'm not on the aisle, just somewhat less pleasant for me and the aisle person when I have to stretch a couple times during the flight.

Also unpleasant that the flight leaves DEL at 03:35. 8:10 in Frankfurt, then 11:20 to 13:40. It's going to be a long Dec 29.

On the plus side, I should be able to grab an authentic German beer on my layover. Yay!

Still a list of things to do, but it cantake some time to arrange travel insurance, get a visa, etc.