Lizmonster has arrived in India! Jynx's family has been most welcoming in every way, and have really made her feel at home. She hasn't seen much of Delhi yet but is very excited to go on a tour of the old city tomorrow.

British Airways was really a capital choice in travel for this trip. No peanuts served, and the in-flight meals were actually pretty good. The best part was that Lizmonster and Jynx got Exit Row seats from Atlanta to London and from London to New Delhi, meaning they were never cramped in next to and behind strangers. Lizmonster thinks this has supremely added to her good health and spirits so far.

The first thing that Lizmonster noticed when she stepped out of the airport was the way the air feels. It's heavier and dirtier than anywhere she has ever been, like Los Angeles on steroids. In fact it reminds her most of the last night of Las Fallas in Valencia, when hundreds of sculptures are burning and ash falls on the whole city. New Delhi is not burning, though. Her chest hurt a little to breathe at first until she got in the car. Since then, she has gotten used to it.

And the traffic never stops. Trucks, auto-rickshaws, scooters, cars... everyone is honking all the time and vehicles go both ways on one-way streets. And there are English translations under various signs, although it's unclear how far English would get Lizmonster outside the comfort of Jynx's cousin M's house.

Lizmonster and Jynx arrived at Jynx's M's residence about 3:30 a.m. but didn't go to sleep until after 5 a.m. since they all stayed up talking and eating toast with cheese. And they have an adorable dog.

The main event of today was getting dressed; the afternoon went by in a fashion montage. In fact, Lizmonster could almost hear the song "I'm Gonna Be A Supermodel" from Clueless with a Punjabi beat playing as she tried on 10 different beautiful traditional tops, all of which fit very well. She will borrow some from Jynx's cousin M for some of the dinners that will take place this week, and for the sangeet and mehndi events. For the wedding itself, though, she wanted to get an outfit she could keep. Jynx's aunt A took Lizmonster and Jynx's sister Augustana to get fitted at a sari shop she has been going to for 30 years. Lizmonster sampled beautiful fabrics before choosing a light blue color and beaded netting for a lehenga. Augustana took home several sari and lehenga options to decide on later.

Meanwhile Jynx is getting pants fixed and the status of his suit is still up in the air.

Outside the sari shop there were dozens of vendors selling costume jewelry, shoes and fruit. The air was especially thick here, and for the first time since the airport Lizmonster felt a little light-headed, but the feeling soon went away. A bought Lizmonster some blue bangles to go with the dress, and a bag of bangles for all of the ladies that were being sold for under a dollar on the street.

Generally the food has been better (and different) than Indian restaurants in the USA. Lizmonster found out today that she loves buttered chicken and that mint-yoghurt sauce. She also likes basil-yoghurt tea and mango juice and red carrots sprinkled with mango powder.

Jynx's family in New Friends Colony has covered their house in white Christmas lights, making it very festive for the upcoming parties.

Time for sleep now!