Safe Arrival in Delhi, India

< Newer | Older > Thu, 03/29/2007 - 18:26 — Patrick

As I write this post it is 11:37pm local time (2:07pm East Coast USA) in Delhi, India and is a sweltering 90 degrees!

My trip from Chicago to Delhi on American Airlines was the best ever as I was moved up to business class by a very supportive American Airlines gate agent. As I checked in for my flight in Chicago I requested a window seat, and was told by this gate agent that none were available, but should one become available it would be mine. A few minutes later I received a window seat and I thanked the gate agent and when doing so compared her friendliness to that of an American Airlines staff person that was highlighted in their airline magazine for going the extra mile and helping a traveler. In thanking her I noted that of all the airlines I have used for my 7 Summits, this airline stood out as everyone was so friendly. When I mentioned 7 Summits she looked at me and said "I just read about you in the USA Today newspaper yesterday". Wow, I could not believe how small a world it is and how we have so much in common and don't even know it. This American Airlines agent had a sister who was a nurse and very aware of the challenges in this profession. She went out of her way to do a nice thing for me, which was a very humbling experience as I have never enjoyed the luxury of business class travel on an international flight. I also chatted with a stewardess on the flight who had originally trained to be a nurse, but chose her present career ... both caring and giving professions!

The adventure really started here in Delhi as the ride from the airport to my hotel was similar to a Nascar experience ... fast and furious. Through a well rehearsed method of blaring the horn, flashing the brights on/off, and yelling words that I cannot repeat (I don't know the language) we made it ... but barely. The poor driver had to stop 4 times for directions ... it's a big city!

That's all for now as I just wanted to keep everyone updated. I expect that I will take a tour of the city tomorrow as I don't leave until Saturday. I am sure that I will post a new message tomorrow after my tours ...

Thanks to all and talk to you soon,

Pat aka Dr. H aka Patrick aka Uncle Pat ... but always  :>)

Messages

Good Luck and Thanks!

Christina — Thu, 03/29/2007 - 18:40

I'm glad to see that you arrived safely Dr. Hickey! I wanted to say thank you for the letter of recommendation you did for me and ask another favor. On the last day of class you mentioned a job opportunity working in supply in the emergency room. I was wondering if you could tell me who to contact about that opportunity! Thanks in advance and the best of luck to you! Have fun and be safe!
Christina Dillard

Job Opportunity

Patrick — Thu, 03/29/2007 - 19:14

Hey Christina:

Great to hear from you.
Just before I left Chicago I called Ashley Towery/Administrative Assistant (4th Floor College of Nursing) and asked her to have Professor Weilert share that information with both NURS 231 classes. If you have not received that email just contact Ashley as she has the contact information.

Best of luck,

Dr. H :>)

SMS message

Danno — Thu, 03/29/2007 - 20:11

Hey Pat, I sent you an SMS message to your SAT phone, let me know if you received it. As well maybe you could send me an e-mail with your password for your Sat phone so I can add more minutes to it if needed. Glad to hear you arrived safely.

Dan

Sat Phone Connections

Patrick — Fri, 03/30/2007 - 14:09

Hey Danny:

Great to hear from you!
I have not activated the Sat Phone yet as it has been so cheap to call home and easy to send emails from internet cafes. Will give the sat phone info requested to Carol via phone. Will try the sat phone tonight, or tomorrow at latest!

Take care,

Pat :>)

Use Dipper At Night

Bud — Thu, 03/29/2007 - 20:22

Pat,

Bud Allen form Georgia here. We have talked a few times on the phone about Everest. Imagine my surprise to see you in the USA Today and then on Paul's web site as well. I tried to e-mail you earlier but I don't think it went through. It is a very small community of people who pay to suffer while walking uphill in occasionally scary places. By the way the traffic in Delhi was teh scariest part of the expedition. In case you are wondering like I was "dipper" is what we refer to as "dimmer". I will be following your climb with keen interest. Godspeed.

Bud

P.S. Who did you decide to go with? I know it wasn't IMG since they have already left.

Dimmers at night

Patrick — Fri, 03/30/2007 - 14:06

Hey Bud:

Yes, I see the use of dimmers (brights on cars) being utilized in conjunction with blaring horns at night ... quite the experience. I look forward to the quite mountain trails.

I will be climbing with Henry Todd (ICE8000) and meeting the team tomorrow in Kathmandu. Look forward to seeing Paul then also ... he has been so helpful with this site!

Talk to you soon.

Take care,

Pat :>)

Good karma

Mary Clare Reinhardt — Thu, 03/29/2007 - 20:57

Hey Patrick

I would say your experience with the thoughtful stewardess was Karma working! Sometimes I am astounded at how kind people can be. Even when I travel to places where there is a reputation that the people are not very friendly, I find the people to be wonderful. I think it is all about your attitude and how you treat others! Well, it sounds like so far so good!

Regarding the Nascar experience, my feeling is that once the driver puts his foot to the pedal, it is out of your hands. So, I just enjoy the ride like it's an "E" ticket at Disneyland!

MC

Do unto others ...

Patrick — Fri, 03/30/2007 - 14:01

Hey MC:

As always, appreciate your wisdom. I told the stewardess and gate agent that wherever I travel I always try to be an ambassador for my profession and my countries (I am Canadian and American). Whenever I encounter mean or rude people I always smother them with niceness ... it usually negates their anger. As you say, attitude is everything, and why not make it positive! It takes less muscles to smile than to frown ...

I met an Australian traveler today who was also having the Nascar experience ... and he simply shut his eyes while they drove!

Take care,

Pat :>)

Hey

Visitor — Thu, 03/29/2007 - 21:07

Hey Pat,
You don't know me but just wishing you good luck with climbing

The Unknown Visitor

Patrick — Fri, 03/30/2007 - 13:55

I appreciate your well wishes and encourage you to follow along!

Take care,

Pat :>)

GOOD LUCK DR. HICKEY!!!!

Visitor — Thu, 03/29/2007 - 21:22

Hi Dr. Hickey,

I wanted to wish you the very best of luck as you start your climb. I was unable to make it to your "going away party," as I was sick. However, I wanted you to know that I will be thinking of you and that you are in my prayers. YOU WILL DO GREAT!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!

Jillian Boyd

P.S. SEE YOU NEXT SEMESTER :)

Next Semester

Patrick — Fri, 03/30/2007 - 13:53

Hey Jillian:

Thanks for the warm wishes and sorry that you did not make it to the party at school as it was lots of fun. Next semester seems so long away when this one hasn't even finished. I do look forward to the fall semester and of course the students.

Take care,

Dr. H :>)

Pokey

Patrick — Thu, 03/29/2007 - 21:55

Just got home and checked your blog! I hope your room was not too bad or noisy! I look forward to more news and glad to know Gumby and Pokey had fun on the flight. I miss all 3 of you!
Dreary cool day in Columbia. Some rain would be welcome to wash away the green crud but looks like it will just pass over.
Look forward to your call tonight or tomorrow! Enjoy your day in India!
Love you.
cp

Gumby and Pokey

Patrick — Fri, 03/30/2007 - 13:51

Hi Carol:

The room is great and and not noisy at all ... a miracle of sorts as it is so busy here with traffic. The Gumby and Pokey travels have started as I took pics of them sharing headphones in business class.

Happy Anniversary ... Love you

Pat :>)

**It was 43 here today ... translated ... HOT!

Happy Anniversary - Tomorrow

Joan — Thu, 03/29/2007 - 23:08

You and Carol are awesome people and a great couple. I'm so happy that you and my sister found each other so you can be part of our family!!
Due to the time difference between you and us I'm sending this Happy Anniversary greeting to you tonight. I have many fond memories of your wedding day. Reflecting back and now knowing that you're afraid of heights what a great gift to Carol of the hot air balloon ride to your reception!! You have done a lot of soaring since then.
Be safe. There are many of us in PA praying for your safety and a successful climb.
Love you,
Joan

Fear of Heights

Patrick — Fri, 03/30/2007 - 13:47

Hey Joan:

I don't know if you remember, but when we left the wedding in the hot air balloon I was cowering at the bottom of the basket due to my fear of heights! It was Carol and Capt. Telegram that were captured in the photos!
I am very fortunate to have found Carol (we are like two peas in a pod) and enjoy a great friendship with her entire family ... although Alma bakes me fewer chocolate chip cookies now than when I was dating Carol!

Thanks for the prayers.

Take care,

Pat :>)

Be careful!!

Visitor — Thu, 03/29/2007 - 23:30

Hey Dr. Hickey! I read that you just got there and I'm glad to see that you got that okay! Please be safe over there and think about us suffering through our upcoming exams in several classes...haha! I had a great time in your class! Thanks for your inspiration in achieving such a big goal and dream!

Happy Anniversary, Pat and Carol

Mary Clare Reinhardt — Thu, 03/29/2007 - 23:31

Wow! A hot air balloon to your wedding reception...I love it! A definite reflection of your life together...soaring to new heights!

MC

Be careful (cont'd)

Visitor — Thu, 03/29/2007 - 23:32

Sorry! I wrote the message before and my name is Eva. I didn't realize it wasn't put on there! Be safe and you will continue to be in my prayers!

School Days

Patrick — Fri, 03/30/2007 - 13:40

Hey Eva:

Thanks for the note(s) and appreciate the well-wishes. I am sure that all of you will do well in class and mine should be the least of your worries.

Take care,

Dr. H :>)

Safe Arrival

des hickey — Fri, 03/30/2007 - 00:32

Pat

Good to hear you arrived safe. Will be checking in regularly.

Safe Arrival

Patrick — Fri, 03/30/2007 - 13:37

Hey Desi:

Quite a nerve wracking day here as I took in the sights ... via a Nascar driver. Wow, what an experience ... I need a pit stop!

Say hello to Colleen and the kids.

Take care,

Pat :>)

**Don't forget to call Mom to tell her that I'm okay. I don't think she has been on the internet lately!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Visitor — Fri, 03/30/2007 - 01:26

Hi Pat, Just wanted to wish you and Carol a Happy Anniversary! Take care and good luck! P.S. My sister Kim remembers you from St. Mary's school, and wanted me to ask you if you can still play songs with your nose! LOL, You Friend, Sue Topping

Songs with my nose?

Patrick — Fri, 03/30/2007 - 13:34

Hey Sue:

I think I may have outgrown trying to influence girls by playing songs with my nose ... when I met my wife :>)

Thanks for the anniverary wishes.

More later from Kathmandu.

Take care,

Pat :>)

GOOD LUCK and GO COCKS!

Visitor — Fri, 03/30/2007 - 12:00

Patrick-

I'm a USC student. I saw the stories on your everest trip and wanted to say GOOD LUCK and I'm rooting for you. It's awesome that USC has faculty doing stuff like that.

Myself and 3 other USC students/ recent alums will be doing Cape to Cairo this summer - hopefully by car and bus most of the way, with a stop to climb Kili. I know you're busy and might not get to reply, but if you had any tips (like my biggest question - can you rent equipment there? hauling big coats across Africa would be a pain) or a blog/journal of that experience, it would be awesome if you could share them.

Interestingly enough, after Cape to Cairo, we might be hopping through parts of Asia, and one stop will be Everest National Park in mid/late July.

I hope to hear from you, but either way, good luck and have fun.

Sincerely,
Evan Kane
kanee @ mailbox dot sc dot "you know the rest"

Cape to Cairo

Patrick — Fri, 03/30/2007 - 13:31

Hey Evan:

Cool trip that you have planned ... sounds like an adventure! No matter where you go, or what you do, you can just about rent or buy whatever you need! ATM's are everywhere so no need to buy cash in advance. Also, always check your room out before you check in ... can save alot of headaches. Try to learn a few words of local languages ... it goes a long way to endearing you to the locals!

I climbed Mt. Kiliminjaro in 2002 and did a safari afterwards ... which I highly recommend. The pyramids outside Cairo (suburbs) are way too cool. Everyone will want "baksheesh" for pictures with camels, etc.

Have a fun trip and keep in touch.

Go Cocks!!!

Dr. H aka Pat :>)

BUENA SUERTE !

lynp — Fri, 03/30/2007 - 19:07

HEY PAT! I tried to call you at home before you left - wrong numbers! I wanted to SAY best wishes and that you are in my thoughts and prayers throughout this most wonderful adventure! I sent an email out to about 50 friends and colleagues re: your website and contributing to the Summit Scholarship.... hopefully it'll YIELD! I so thrilled for you and know that you're going to do great. You are a wonderful guy and Bob and I both send love and best wishes for perfect weather, ideal conditions and a safe return with many stories!
Su amiga, Lyn Phillips

Perfect Weather

Patrick — Sat, 03/31/2007 - 18:15

Hey Lyn:

Great to hear from you :>)
So far the weather is great here in Kathmandu and they tell me it will be alot cooler in the next few days when we fly to altitude in Lukla. Thanks so much for spreading the word about the site and the scholarship ... I hope that both will help people!
Look forward also to sharing the stories on return ... and they will be tall ones!

Take care,

Pat :>)

Kathmandu memories

Patrick — Sat, 03/31/2007 - 13:27

Happy to hear that you're finally in Nepal and the journey really begins! Gosh, can you believe it was 18 years ago that we were there? Are there still Brahma bulls lying in the street? Maybe Gumby would like to take a ride on one? Well, maybe he'd better just stick with Pokey!!
I look forward to an email letting me know all about your preparations so far.
It's a beautiful day here in Columbia-@77degrees/sunny. I've got tennis at 10am and then may go to see Danielle play soccer at 1:30. Also need to work on the ol' income taxes and paying the bills.....pretty exciting, eh?
Love you,
Carol

Proposal in Pokhara, Nepal

Patrick — Sat, 03/31/2007 - 18:11

Dear Carol:

Kathmandu has not changed from what I remember in 1988. Brahma bulls still roam the streets, and tuk-tuks/rickshaws are everywhere! It was not far from here in Pokhara that I proposed to you ... and you thought it was the thin mountain air making me crazy! No regrets ... I love you very much :>)

It looks like we are departing here on Monday for Lukla ... that's when the adventure really begins.

Call you soon.

Love,

Pat :>)

Greetings from Virginia

Visitor — Sat, 03/31/2007 - 13:31

Hi Pat,

Just checked in this morning and was glad to read you've arrived safely in Dehli. Next stop, Katmandu...this blog is so cool, we'll keep in touch along the way. Wishing you a safe journey...I've told my buddies in the office you'll breeze (pun intended) to the top, no question! :-)

Bill & Michele

Breeze to the top ...

Patrick — Sat, 03/31/2007 - 18:06

Hey Michelle:

I don't know about breezing to the top, but do hope to make it! Just arrived in Kathmandu in late afternoon today (1:55pm at present) and enjoy the cooler weather as opposed to Delhi, India. Saw the Himalayas on approach ... looked cold ... yet inviting!

Talk to you soon,

Pat :>)

Columbia Report

Patrick — Sat, 03/31/2007 - 22:19

It was good talking to you today from Kathmandu and yes I remember it and Nepal very well. Glad that you have met up with fellow climbers and will be off soon to begin the trek. Remember how I hiked the Jomson trail with only 1 good eye? I loved that time and I hope we can return together to do it again (if it is not a 4-lane highway by now!!).
Washed all the pollen off your car today and finally figured out how to get the car in Reverse...no worries-I managed. Tonight I'm going to watch the Women's final on tv (taped earlier) with Serena vs. Justine Henin(coldsore). Tomorrow am is tennis (singles with Deb) and then dinner with Deb & Al tomorrow night (@7pm) at Deb's. Need to run to the grocery store....sounds so mundane.
Wish I was there with you. Stay safe.
I love you.
Carol

Hi Pat - from Melle and David

drdavidmckee — Sun, 04/01/2007 - 00:44

Trip sounds great....I started reading "Into Thin Air", so I can keep up with your course.....we enjoyed listening to your audio......have fun on the hike to base camp.....David

Hey Pat, Big Hugs :)!, I love hearing how strong and excited your voice sounds! Your lovely story about your and Carol's engagement night is funny and very romantic. Congratulations on finding such an adventurous partner . You are INSPIRING so many. You are a shining example to follow one's dreams and passion. Much love and pride, Melle