Month: August 2006

I’m back in the United States, currently in Minneapolis, after 21 hours of some of the most unpleasant travel I’ve ever experienced. I will never fly British Airways again because of their ranging-from-merely-inconsiderate-to-downright-rude customer service agents on the ground at Heathrow, the 2 1/2 hour departure delay due to the airline not completing its paperwork,… Continue reading Terra americana

Every time I go to Düsseldorf, I visit my friend Rudolf’s bookstore, Literatur bei Müller. I’ve been going to the store since it opened, when I was 18. But I’ve been friends with Rudolf since 1993, when I lived in France and would come to visit Düsseldorf. I would go to whatever readings they had… Continue reading Eine Bücherkette: a chain of books

“We’re leaving everything behind,” the blonde haired little girl said in the glass elevator at the Brussels Midi train station. I laughed and made eye contact with her parents. “That about sums it up,” I said. I’m adjusting to having left India. I knew I’d have to adjust but I’m surprised at how it’s affecting… Continue reading We’re leaving everything behind

Last night, my mom gave me the news that Lillian Dowling died on August 15. She was 99. Lillian was my Grandpa Ed’s partner from 1989 till 2004. They never married (though my grandfather had married two other women after my Nana died in 1979–all three of his wives died of cancer and I think… Continue reading Lillian Dowling, the world was richer with you in it

My flight was completely uneventful. I got to the airport at 3 a.m., waited outside for 45 minutes, realized a machine gun was pointed right at me at one moment in line (shudder). I checked my laptop and phone but didn’t need to, and could have brought a book on board after all. British Airways… Continue reading A very uneventful flight

This is what I’ve listened to on repeat since last night. Now that I note the lyrics, I think I see why. Well… you didn’t wake up this morning — Because you didn’t go to bed. You were watching the whites of your eyes turn red The calendar, on your wall, is ticking the days… Continue reading This is the day

Molly, Departing Originally uploaded by C+H. Posted to my friend Chris’s Flickr stream. It’s 1 a.m. and in 90 minutes, I leave for the airport. My flight isn’t until 6:30 a.m. Oof. On a happier note, thank you, everyone I met in Bangalore! Tonight, a number of people came by… my flatmates Carolyn and Savita,… Continue reading Bye, Bangalore…

i bought a saree! Originally uploaded by maximolly. i bought a saree today. it is so beautiful. it’s a kancheepuram saree designed by my friend archana’s mother and produced where the sarees are woven, in kancheepuram. her mother’s business is in its second generation and is called kafya. the beauty of these fabrics. so lovely.… Continue reading i bought a saree!

Me, Hamish and Lakshmi at the Hampi temple Originally uploaded by maximolly. I brought Hamish to Hampi in large part because I knew that Lakshmi the elephant would be there. I’ve never met an elephant in person (believe it or not) and Hamish hasn’t met his ancestors. At this temple, you put 1 rupee in… Continue reading Me, Hamish and Lakshmi at the Hampi temple

My last full weekday in Bangalore is today. On Monday very early, I fly to London on British Airways, something I was looking forward to doing, but now I’m thinking it’s not going to be a fun trip. I also am planning to be in both Düsseldorf and Amsterdam next week, something I now want… Continue reading Dealing with travel disruptions