Yes, I'm in Bangalore, India on a business trip for the next 5 weeks. It's amazing! The 26 hours of flying was rough mostly because the flights were all completely booked. My coworker and I got up and walked around alot and even had a conga line going down the aisle a few times just to get the kinks our of our legs and backs. But we got here safely and when we exited customs reality struck!
Traffic is horrid! The pollution is intense. The poverty is a jolt of reality and the people are just wonderful. 2 lane roads are generally 3 or 4 vehicles wide. They mostly drive on the left but it's common to see vehicles on any side of the street they want or even right down the middle. There are trucks and cars, lots of scooters and motorcycles (some with an entire family onboard) and some 3 wheeled-2 stroke rick shaw type of vehicles all over the place. We are fortunate enough to have our own driver who knows his way all around here and he's a wonderful driver - thank goodness because there are no seat belts in the cars.
We started out in a 5 star hotel but they moved us a couple of days later to the campus. It saves us commute time of approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours one way. Here on campus we are in dorm rooms that Motel 6 puts to shame and wouldn't even reach 1 star status. By Indian standards they are wonderful premier rooms. It's the paper thin mattress on the wood platform that's so uncomfortable for me but I added another mattress to the top and it's tolerable - sort of. It makes me realize just how fortunate we are in the US.
They have a pool, a huge gym, pool tables and ping pong. We have bikes to ride around campus so I'm getting lots of exercise and fresh air( as fresh as you can get anyway). There are restaurants on campus and a Domino's Pizza that delivers to your office. The only food problem we've run into is that due to India's Independence Day celebration, the campus food courts are all closed.
The security on campus is very strict. Purses and bags are checked both going out and coming back in. Armed guards and guards with sticks are all over the place and jump in quickly if they see anyone bothering us when we're outside waiting for our car as happened yesterday. I'm sure experiencing some culture shock over here but I'm still enjoying myself immensely.
The people are just wonderful. Warm and friendly and very courteous. We've had some wonderful meals in town but we stayed away from the Lamb burgers at McDonald's. No beef! I've tried some of the Indian food but it's far too spicy for my tastebuds. I'm such a spice wienee! We had dinner Friday night at a wonderful Italian restaurant with fabulous food and impeccable service.
So I'm doing good and so are my counterparts here from the US and Europe. Our project is going pretty well. We've had a few issues but nothing major so far.
Next weekend we're heading to Mysore Palace which is a day trip from here but well worth the drive or so I've heard from many who have been here before.
I'm already missing home and I've only been here for 4 days so far. I guess Dorothy was right.... Toto - I don't think we're in Kansas anymore....ok, ok... California!
Although it's 11:30 pm Sunday in California. it's 12 noon on Monday here in Bangalore. My shift is over at 3 pm and my back-up will take over then.
Take Care everyone.
Traffic is horrid! The pollution is intense. The poverty is a jolt of reality and the people are just wonderful. 2 lane roads are generally 3 or 4 vehicles wide. They mostly drive on the left but it's common to see vehicles on any side of the street they want or even right down the middle. There are trucks and cars, lots of scooters and motorcycles (some with an entire family onboard) and some 3 wheeled-2 stroke rick shaw type of vehicles all over the place. We are fortunate enough to have our own driver who knows his way all around here and he's a wonderful driver - thank goodness because there are no seat belts in the cars.
We started out in a 5 star hotel but they moved us a couple of days later to the campus. It saves us commute time of approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours one way. Here on campus we are in dorm rooms that Motel 6 puts to shame and wouldn't even reach 1 star status. By Indian standards they are wonderful premier rooms. It's the paper thin mattress on the wood platform that's so uncomfortable for me but I added another mattress to the top and it's tolerable - sort of. It makes me realize just how fortunate we are in the US.
They have a pool, a huge gym, pool tables and ping pong. We have bikes to ride around campus so I'm getting lots of exercise and fresh air( as fresh as you can get anyway). There are restaurants on campus and a Domino's Pizza that delivers to your office. The only food problem we've run into is that due to India's Independence Day celebration, the campus food courts are all closed.
The security on campus is very strict. Purses and bags are checked both going out and coming back in. Armed guards and guards with sticks are all over the place and jump in quickly if they see anyone bothering us when we're outside waiting for our car as happened yesterday. I'm sure experiencing some culture shock over here but I'm still enjoying myself immensely.
The people are just wonderful. Warm and friendly and very courteous. We've had some wonderful meals in town but we stayed away from the Lamb burgers at McDonald's. No beef! I've tried some of the Indian food but it's far too spicy for my tastebuds. I'm such a spice wienee! We had dinner Friday night at a wonderful Italian restaurant with fabulous food and impeccable service.
So I'm doing good and so are my counterparts here from the US and Europe. Our project is going pretty well. We've had a few issues but nothing major so far.
Next weekend we're heading to Mysore Palace which is a day trip from here but well worth the drive or so I've heard from many who have been here before.
I'm already missing home and I've only been here for 4 days so far. I guess Dorothy was right.... Toto - I don't think we're in Kansas anymore....ok, ok... California!
Although it's 11:30 pm Sunday in California. it's 12 noon on Monday here in Bangalore. My shift is over at 3 pm and my back-up will take over then.
Take Care everyone.
He had so much fun with you and Dan! He departs for home on Friday~I will miss him dearly, what a sweet shy gentleman. Have a beautiful time and please, for the travel deprived (me), take LOTS of pics? 
Love ya cutie patootie! 
So did you get any opportunities there, Jan? 
So happy you got there safely. It is great to know you are doing well. We love you back here in Michigan and pray for you and hope you have a great time and a safe return to us. Love you sweetie. 
