July 8, 2006 We left early in the day for the Geneva airport so that we could catch a Lufthansa flight to Frankfort and change planes to Bombay, now called Mumbai, India, overnight and then catch a morning plane for Mangalore where we would meet Dr. B. M. Hegde, a great friend of Natural Medicine and, we were told, someone who would vigorously champion the cause.

The day before, I had prudently checked in by phone for the reservation and been told that the reservation had been cancelled and there was no such number in the computer, anyway. Well, since the tickets had already been paid for and we really wanted to get to Mangalore to be met by Dr. Hegde’s person, this was not happy news. I called the US, spoke with our travel agent and was told that the reservation (and flight) had a United number, not a Lufthansa one although the flight was operated by the German airline. Huh? Anyway, after a transatlantic call, we got a new reservation number and set off to the airport with trepidation. As it turned out, the new number did the trick and off we flew.

While we were waiting for our flight to Bombay, a lady from the Nigerian delegation approached us and said that our presentation and information had intrigued her greatly and that, since she is close to retirement from government service, she would like to work with us full time when she makes that changes! Sounds like a winner to us and we will work on it as the time approaches.

Then on to the plane and off for India. But, about 4 hours into the flight, lo and behold, the very same thing that happened the week before on the Lufthansa flight out of Lagos, Nigeria happened again: I was (this time for the second time in my life) violently ill. I have no clue. It passed (literally) and I was a bit wobbly but fine.

When we got to Bombay at 1:10 AM we had to collect our bags (1:50 AM) and drag them to customs (2:15 AM) where they were cleared (2:25 AM) and then we got to drag them to JetAir, the connecting airline, stand in line and finally speak to an agent (2:45 AM) who took them. We found the driver from the hotel we were spending a few hours in (2:55 AM) and reached the hotel which we were to leave at 7:30 AM to get back on a plane (3:10 AM). No reservation was waiting for us. So we finally (3:45 AM) said that we would leave a credit card impression for the charge (already paid by the airline since the room was included in our ticket, we were told) and get to bed (4:15 AM). I guess it was a nice hotel: who can remember?

Yours in health and freedom,
Rima E. Laibow, MD
Medical Director