Even though I'm here, it''s still work

I am in India as part of my job. I am a technology trainer. After working with our team for less than 2 months, we prepared training materials for web-based and face-to-face classes and 4 of us are traveling in Asia, training.

It's very interesting just getting to work! The driving rules are a bit different with very few traffic signals. Sometimes there are traffic police directing traffic at intersections but that isn't very often. Take a look at the video: Driving India to see what it looks like from a bird's eye view then imagine being a passenger. Thankfully, the company provides a car with driver or I don't think I'd make it! This is a city of 7 million people and the roads are just not quite able to keep up with the demanding pace.

The fellow standing with my husband is the doorman at our hotel. Many of the employees wear the older uniforms and there are some really interesting ones. I'll try to get more and upload them to my snapfish account.

For those who wonder, yes, there are cows (not just Brahman) that wander the street. In the evening on my way from work, we usually pass cows that have been tied up for milking. I asked the driver who's cows they were and he said they were no one's in particular and that anyone is free to milk them.

There is a traffic circle with a 4 foot wall. A cow grazes there by standing in the road and eating off the top of the circle! It's an adventure getting around but I've not seen a wreck or been in one, yet!

This weekend we'll get to get out in the countryside for a bit and see things away from Bangalore.

Response to email questions

I get some great emails with questions about my trip. Rather than re-writing, I thought I'd cut and paste my responses to one of my emails. (More photos this evening).

How are things besides little sleep?

It is a beautiful country with very hospitable people. It's very quiet (as long as there aren't Americans around!!). I don't know if you've traveled in Mexico (away from the border) but it reminds me a lot of Mexico. Rich and well to do or very poor. It shows in the street maintenance, buildings and such which is very sad. The people in general are very kind and gentle.

Have you done any sightseeing?

We went shopping and sightseeing but our driver took us to places where he is paid in advance to take us. I am now armed with names and addresses of places that are better to go to and the driver will then be required to take us there. We toured the Bangalore Palace (very sadly in disrepair) and toured around the city. The state government is close to a state of colapse and there were buses and buses of protestors outside the congress. (That was cool - kind of exciting). While shopping we were invited to tea with the owners of the shop. It was very good. We will go to Mysore this weekend which is slower, more peaceful and more beautiful than Bangalore. Bangalore was not prepared for the HUGE growth. Mysore hasn't had that kind of growth so it still retains it's more pastoral feel.


How's the food?

The food is VERY good. I've been "educated" by the people that I've talked to on the subtlties of the regional foods. There's SO much to try and so little room in my pants!!!! I actually haven't eaten too much, though. Yesterday we only had one meal. It was very very good. It's nice to sit in a restaurant that doesn't attempt to rush you through your meal. You can really enjoy what you are eating. Today, we'll be going to MG (Mahattmah Ghandi Road) where there are even more varieties of restaurants and shops! I have an extra long day tomorrow due to the early morning live meeting so I'm taking this afternoon off to shop.

Out and about Bangalore

Today we went for a drive around the city. Bangalore is a very busy city (and the driver told us it was so slow due to everyone being off work!). I can't wait to see what it's like during the work week. The juxtaposition between the daily life of the poor and the high tech industry is amazing. The people are warm and hospitable. This will be short. Harold wants to go for a walk.

The picture is of the gardens and pool outside our window.