Long week this week...and if I thought my experience last week ordering pizza was a test in patience, I was mistaken!
First off, want to wish my nephew (and godchild) a happy birthday today. I think one of the things I'm going to find most difficult in being over here is that I can't celebrate those big days with family and friends...but doesn't mean I'm not thinking of them. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANE!! Nat, give him a hug and kiss for me.
My week in a nutshell...
I. My week started with a 2-day trip to Delhi to visit our offices in Gurgaon on Mon & Tues. Ok, maybe it's been a while since I've had to fly coach (I know...spoiled), but I seem to remember a bit more leg room. Or maybe b/c there are a lot of short people in India, that all the Indian airlines figured they could get by w/ less leg space. Regardless, my knees were up by chin, or that's how it felt, and although everyone else seemed to be wearing layers of clothers, I was wearing shorts and still had sweat dripping down my leg--you know, starting right on the back side of the knee and running down your calf (I know everyone reading this knows what i'm talking about).
Of course flying within India for the first time there has to be a story--well, besides the limited leg room and plane hotter than a sauna. Here it is--you go through security in an Indian airport and follow pretty much the same process as you would in the states, BUT something that I just don't understand is that every piece of carry-on luggage you bring on board needs to have a tag from the airline attached AND if that's not enough, the tag needs to be stamped at security after it goes on the belt and through the x-ray machine. I learned this the hard way this week when I got to the gate and was boarding the plane and as I was giving my ticket to the gate agent, a security guard wouldn't let me through b/c I didn't have my bag tag stamped. I thought I was going to have to run all the way back to security, but instead I flipped out (probably b/c it was 5:30am on a Monday morning and I would've rather been in bed still). I went on and on about how that was quite possibly the stupidest rule I'd ever heard of and I obviuosly had to have my bag scanned and inspected at security, so what is the point to get a damn stamp?? After about 10 minutes arguing w/ the security guard, a gate agent supervisor came and ended up escorting me onto the plane and just informed me to be sure I followed procedure next time. To which I replied, "thanks for the escort...and I'd be happy to follow procedure if someone informed me of proper procedures, or had it posted somewhere."
Made it to Delhi and spent a couple days in meetings and being introduced to various peeps. I didn't get to see much of the city, so not much to share on this trip. I did have the best Chicken Pad Thai I've ever had at a restaurant there. Made it back to Hyderabad with no problems...and I made sure to have my tag on my carry on luggage stamped at security.
II. On Wednesday I signed a lease for an apartment and am scheduled to move in on June 1st. I feel that I really lucked out--both with the location (very close to the office) and with the apartment/furnishings. It was by far the nicest of all the apartments I looked at. I was looking to rent a fully furnished apartment, and although there were other nice places, the furnishings ranged from a "Golden Girls" to "Sanford and Son" feel. I'll be sure to get pics posted once I move in. Oh, almost forgot to mention--it's a 2 bedroom apartment w/ a king size bed in the guest room...just in case anyone wants to visit ;-).
III. Thursday I saw The Avengers--awesome flick and hoping that they make another one. I do have to give it up for the theaters here in Hyderabad. I've been to 2 different theaters and they both are nicer than the theaters in the states.
Things that have caught my attention:
I'm not sure if it's because I'm in a foreign country, or maybe b/c I have more free time on my hands, but whatever the reason, I'm noticing more things. Like...
1) When there are limited tv channels you can watch, and you don't have Tivo, you are stuck watching the same commercials over and over and over again. Just to give you an idea of the quality of the commercials--check out this Airtel commercial, which is quite possibly the cheesiest commercial I've ever seen...and it's on almost every other set. Pay particular attention to the kid in the t-shirt: http://youtu.be/p4AwJ9A29y8
2) I think I've solved the great mystery of why the Indian population has such a large number of the old, and perhaps why they live so long...it's because they take their time doing EVERYTHING, and don't stress about anything. There is no such thing as a quick in-and-out in India...even if you think that by going to a store in the middle of the day you'll miss the crowds--oh no, there's always people...everywhere and all the time. And "fast food", well, forget about it! On a side note, I did have my first McDonald experience in the Delhi airport, and enjoyed a 'Chicken Marajara-Mac'
3) And lastly, check out this "Pool Rules" sign that is located next to the hot tub in the men's locker room at the Westin...
Anything on this sign seem a bit strange?? Not sure about you, but after reading rules 4, 5 and 6, I'm not particularly interested in stepping foot in the hot tub! And although it's tough to make out, rule #5 states "Spitting, spouting of water or blowing your nose is strictly prohibited." That's too bad because I always have an urge to spit and blow my nose as soon as I get into a hot tub. Oh, and another one that I found amusing--"Do not use alone." What am I supposed to do? Go up to someone and say, "Excuse me, I'd like to use the hot tub...could you please come in with me?"
Deep-ka Thoughts by Keith
- Patience is a virtue...but waiting for things really sucks!
- I now understand where the phrase "rules are meant to be broken" comes from...some rules, or processes, make absolutely no sense. (Oh, forgot to mention that when you fly in India, they check your ticket at least 3 times between showing it to the gate agent and your seat.)
Have a good week all...and happy cinco de mayo and happy birthday Dane!
First off, want to wish my nephew (and godchild) a happy birthday today. I think one of the things I'm going to find most difficult in being over here is that I can't celebrate those big days with family and friends...but doesn't mean I'm not thinking of them. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANE!! Nat, give him a hug and kiss for me.
I. My week started with a 2-day trip to Delhi to visit our offices in Gurgaon on Mon & Tues. Ok, maybe it's been a while since I've had to fly coach (I know...spoiled), but I seem to remember a bit more leg room. Or maybe b/c there are a lot of short people in India, that all the Indian airlines figured they could get by w/ less leg space. Regardless, my knees were up by chin, or that's how it felt, and although everyone else seemed to be wearing layers of clothers, I was wearing shorts and still had sweat dripping down my leg--you know, starting right on the back side of the knee and running down your calf (I know everyone reading this knows what i'm talking about).
Of course flying within India for the first time there has to be a story--well, besides the limited leg room and plane hotter than a sauna. Here it is--you go through security in an Indian airport and follow pretty much the same process as you would in the states, BUT something that I just don't understand is that every piece of carry-on luggage you bring on board needs to have a tag from the airline attached AND if that's not enough, the tag needs to be stamped at security after it goes on the belt and through the x-ray machine. I learned this the hard way this week when I got to the gate and was boarding the plane and as I was giving my ticket to the gate agent, a security guard wouldn't let me through b/c I didn't have my bag tag stamped. I thought I was going to have to run all the way back to security, but instead I flipped out (probably b/c it was 5:30am on a Monday morning and I would've rather been in bed still). I went on and on about how that was quite possibly the stupidest rule I'd ever heard of and I obviuosly had to have my bag scanned and inspected at security, so what is the point to get a damn stamp?? After about 10 minutes arguing w/ the security guard, a gate agent supervisor came and ended up escorting me onto the plane and just informed me to be sure I followed procedure next time. To which I replied, "thanks for the escort...and I'd be happy to follow procedure if someone informed me of proper procedures, or had it posted somewhere."
Made it to Delhi and spent a couple days in meetings and being introduced to various peeps. I didn't get to see much of the city, so not much to share on this trip. I did have the best Chicken Pad Thai I've ever had at a restaurant there. Made it back to Hyderabad with no problems...and I made sure to have my tag on my carry on luggage stamped at security.
II. On Wednesday I signed a lease for an apartment and am scheduled to move in on June 1st. I feel that I really lucked out--both with the location (very close to the office) and with the apartment/furnishings. It was by far the nicest of all the apartments I looked at. I was looking to rent a fully furnished apartment, and although there were other nice places, the furnishings ranged from a "Golden Girls" to "Sanford and Son" feel. I'll be sure to get pics posted once I move in. Oh, almost forgot to mention--it's a 2 bedroom apartment w/ a king size bed in the guest room...just in case anyone wants to visit ;-).
III. Thursday I saw The Avengers--awesome flick and hoping that they make another one. I do have to give it up for the theaters here in Hyderabad. I've been to 2 different theaters and they both are nicer than the theaters in the states.
Things that have caught my attention:
I'm not sure if it's because I'm in a foreign country, or maybe b/c I have more free time on my hands, but whatever the reason, I'm noticing more things. Like...
1) When there are limited tv channels you can watch, and you don't have Tivo, you are stuck watching the same commercials over and over and over again. Just to give you an idea of the quality of the commercials--check out this Airtel commercial, which is quite possibly the cheesiest commercial I've ever seen...and it's on almost every other set. Pay particular attention to the kid in the t-shirt: http://youtu.be/p4AwJ9A29y8
2) I think I've solved the great mystery of why the Indian population has such a large number of the old, and perhaps why they live so long...it's because they take their time doing EVERYTHING, and don't stress about anything. There is no such thing as a quick in-and-out in India...even if you think that by going to a store in the middle of the day you'll miss the crowds--oh no, there's always people...everywhere and all the time. And "fast food", well, forget about it! On a side note, I did have my first McDonald experience in the Delhi airport, and enjoyed a 'Chicken Marajara-Mac'
3) And lastly, check out this "Pool Rules" sign that is located next to the hot tub in the men's locker room at the Westin...
Anything on this sign seem a bit strange?? Not sure about you, but after reading rules 4, 5 and 6, I'm not particularly interested in stepping foot in the hot tub! And although it's tough to make out, rule #5 states "Spitting, spouting of water or blowing your nose is strictly prohibited." That's too bad because I always have an urge to spit and blow my nose as soon as I get into a hot tub. Oh, and another one that I found amusing--"Do not use alone." What am I supposed to do? Go up to someone and say, "Excuse me, I'd like to use the hot tub...could you please come in with me?"
Deep-ka Thoughts by Keith
- Patience is a virtue...but waiting for things really sucks!
- I now understand where the phrase "rules are meant to be broken" comes from...some rules, or processes, make absolutely no sense. (Oh, forgot to mention that when you fly in India, they check your ticket at least 3 times between showing it to the gate agent and your seat.)
Have a good week all...and happy cinco de mayo and happy birthday Dane!
Love reading your blog Keith! Sounds like quite an adventure! Keep writing. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteOK... so the "HOT TUB RULES" are priceless... No communicable diseases? REALLY? I'm sorry sir.. Lepers are not allowed in the hot tub in the event your arm or fingers might become detached… LOLOLOLOL Sorry it's taken me forever to read these... I should have known you'd be cracking my shit up!!
ReplyDeleteD