Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!! Apologies for that but I am in an excellent mood, for tomorrow I am flying home for Christmas. I will be taking my laptop and phone, and am under no illusions that this is a holiday.....I am just looking forward to seeing my family and my little girl!
The office was quiet today. There is stuff to be done but it was not manic. In the evening we decided to go to the new restaurant across from the villa again. I just wanted to show our new fleet manager at least one place outside the villa he could go to and get a beer.
Guess what, it got messy. Well, I say messy, we'd all had plenty to drink by the time we eventually left. We were the last ones in there but, instead of the burly "time gentleman please" you get in the UK before some knuckle-dragger wrenches the half-full glass from your hand that you get back home, these guys just waited....and waited....and waited....until we were finished. Don't get me wrong, it was obvious they wanted us to go by the way that 6 of them hung around us for the last hour. What also gave it away was the lights. They turned them off at various stages, starting with the ones furthest away and then, about every ten minutes or so, they would turn off the next farthest bank of lights and so on. Of course, we knew they wanted to go, but we just didn't care is the honest truth.
Eventually we gave in and went our separate ways. A quick glance at my watch tells me it is gone midnight and that it wasn't worth going to bed because there was a car picking me up in one and a half hours to take me to the airport. What else was there to do except drink more beer in that case?
So I said my goodbyes, wished everyone a happy Christmas and made my way to the airport. This time I was prepared for the throng that haunts Shamshabad airport at silly o'clock in the morning and it did not phase me.
What did freak me out was the security. Not that it had been beefed up following the Mumbai attacks, or the slow pace in which that build up happened, but the whole passport checking thing. Just when you think the locals cannot produce anymore Indian stereotypes the man checking my passport pulls one out of the top drawer. He checks my photo, then looks up at me, back down at my photo, back at me, again with the photo, then back at me (repeat ad infinitum). I then waded in with my second Hindi phrase that i had learnt and simply said "Tikay?". Granted that only means "OK" so it's not that impressive but it was enough for him to stop what he was doing, look up, and say "yes sir, have a nice trip".
The rest of my trip was quite uneventful to be honest. I slept through most of it because I was so tired. I did manage to perk up as soon as I landed though. The adrenaline rushed through me as I scythed a frontiersmans path though the rabble to get off the airplane and too my waiting family. Before I could get there though I had to face my nemesis....
I can jump out of a plane at 13000feet with a smile on my face, I will often look in amazement and wonder off some very high buildings, the assault course on Krypton Factor was an ambition of mine until they cancelled the show so why, tell me why, can I not go through the green channel at an airport without sweating? I seem to, without knowing, rip off my usual looks and features and replace them with my latex "international drug smuggler" mask. I don't know why I do this, I just know that I do and that is why I got stopped. "Come over here sir" came the monotonous voice. It was quite clear to me that the excitement and eagerness that may have once accompanied those words, from what may have been once a keen and eager young customs officer, had probably departed along with his looks, his hair and I would suspect, his wife. I got asked where I had come from? What business I had there? Where I lived? Who I was?....and so on (all this for someone who was carrying 200 cigarettes and a bottle of champagne). I couldn't help but think, whilst he was grilling me, there was probably a couple of albanians slipping through in whatever suitcase they were being wheeled along inside!!
Still, I am home now and that is what matters. I will probably leave blog now until I return to India so I would like to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas. Have a good one everybody :-)
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Weds 17th and Thurs 18th Dec 2008
Wednesday was just another day at the office really so I won't dwell on that. Instead I shall move straight onto the Christmas party which was nice enough. It was held in an Irish themed bar called Dublin, which is located in the bowels of the Sheraton hotel. I used the word "themed" very liberally of course because the only thing that set it apart from any bar in any town was the odd Guinness poster on the wall (the old ones that used to proclaim Guinness was good for you etc etc), and the fact that it was called Dublin. There was not so much as a Shamrock in sight! judges verdict, 4 out of 10 - see me after class.
Venue aside, we all had a good time it seemed. I did receive some bad news that night from home which really knocked me for six, and probably caused me to drink more than perhaps I otherwise would have done. Several beers, some karaoke and some shameful dancing later, we made our way home.
Because there were no company vehicles available, and the hotel reception gave us a very convenient estimate of two hours to arrange a minicab, we were forced to use the hotel transport at a cost of 1635INR (or about 25GBP). That may not sound like a lot for a ten mile journey in the UK, but for the sort of money you usually pay out here I was expecting the guy to not only take us home but come in the house, do the washing and ironing, run the hoover round and, on his way out, block pave the driveway! When he neglected to all but drive us home I was most put out I can tell you!
Less than an hours nap later and I was up again. Our new CJ2 Fleet Manager arrives in the early hours of Thursday morning and I have agreed to go and meet him at the airport, not that I mind of course. He and I have worked together before and we know we can achieve out here. Plus, it's another friendly face so far from home.
About 5am he comes through the arrivals and we get in the car. He's tired, i'm tired, so a quick catch up and a run down of the do's and don'ts of India and it's tme for bed. I drop him at the hotel and proceed on back to villa. Why do I get the feeling that my liver may end up regretting him coming out here?!?!?!
Having slept for a few hours I was lucky enough to be able to remain at the villa for the rest of the day. I was waiting for the engineers to come and fix our internet as we had been unable to get online for two days. Just like engineers back home - they came, they fiddled, they achieved the square root of bugger all and then, after promising faithfully the problem would be sorted by the end of the day, they disappeared and were never seen again. You got to love this country really haven't you!!!!
Venue aside, we all had a good time it seemed. I did receive some bad news that night from home which really knocked me for six, and probably caused me to drink more than perhaps I otherwise would have done. Several beers, some karaoke and some shameful dancing later, we made our way home.
Because there were no company vehicles available, and the hotel reception gave us a very convenient estimate of two hours to arrange a minicab, we were forced to use the hotel transport at a cost of 1635INR (or about 25GBP). That may not sound like a lot for a ten mile journey in the UK, but for the sort of money you usually pay out here I was expecting the guy to not only take us home but come in the house, do the washing and ironing, run the hoover round and, on his way out, block pave the driveway! When he neglected to all but drive us home I was most put out I can tell you!
Less than an hours nap later and I was up again. Our new CJ2 Fleet Manager arrives in the early hours of Thursday morning and I have agreed to go and meet him at the airport, not that I mind of course. He and I have worked together before and we know we can achieve out here. Plus, it's another friendly face so far from home.
About 5am he comes through the arrivals and we get in the car. He's tired, i'm tired, so a quick catch up and a run down of the do's and don'ts of India and it's tme for bed. I drop him at the hotel and proceed on back to villa. Why do I get the feeling that my liver may end up regretting him coming out here?!?!?!
Having slept for a few hours I was lucky enough to be able to remain at the villa for the rest of the day. I was waiting for the engineers to come and fix our internet as we had been unable to get online for two days. Just like engineers back home - they came, they fiddled, they achieved the square root of bugger all and then, after promising faithfully the problem would be sorted by the end of the day, they disappeared and were never seen again. You got to love this country really haven't you!!!!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Monday 15th December 2008
I cannot believe it. I thought I had written everything about the weekend but I neglected to mention the funniest thing!
Let me start my reminding you how the tuk-tuk drivers love Westerners because we pay more, so they make a bee-line for you. I must also put you in the picture about two more key facts; 1) you haggle for everything here, unless you are in one of the main shops where you expect to pay the listed price, you agree a price for whatever you are intending to buy through negotiation....case in point, tuk-tuks, 2) the journey from outside the pub to my villa would cost a local about 50 rupees (75pence) for a trip of about 4 miles. The chap that showed me round Hyderabad did the haggling, and the truth is I was happy to let him as I am rubbish at it. He went straight in with a bid of 200rupees to take us both home. I was then flabbergasted when the driver replied "no, no", I paused, awaiting him to come back with a higher amount but instead he said "one-fifty rupees". Seizing our opportunity we took the lower price and jumped in. Correct me if I am wrong though, and like I say I am no good at haggling, but wasn't he supposed to try and bid us upwards?
Back in the office today, although in truth it feels like I have never been away. Advances in modern technology mean that I am able to do pretty much everything from the villa. I have a laptop, wireless internet, access to all the necessary files/software at the office via remote connection and a blackberry mobile phone. This meant I was able to cover the flying from the villa without needing to go and sit in the office, alone, which was better for me.
We had a small celebration at work today because things are starting to get busy. Even in my short time here I have seen things grow which is good. I won't deny Sunday was hard going as I am still finding my feet, but I also enjoyed it in a way. I was glad when everything was put to bed though and I could relax.
This morning I saw the paper boy for the first time delivering to next door. I say boy, he must have been about eighteen or so. The main difference to what you would expect to find about a paper boy back home was he was riding a motorbike and, of course, he was not wearing a helmet.....preferring instead to trust his wellbeing and safety on these chaotic roads to a bandana! All I can say is.....good luck with that old son!!!
Let me start my reminding you how the tuk-tuk drivers love Westerners because we pay more, so they make a bee-line for you. I must also put you in the picture about two more key facts; 1) you haggle for everything here, unless you are in one of the main shops where you expect to pay the listed price, you agree a price for whatever you are intending to buy through negotiation....case in point, tuk-tuks, 2) the journey from outside the pub to my villa would cost a local about 50 rupees (75pence) for a trip of about 4 miles. The chap that showed me round Hyderabad did the haggling, and the truth is I was happy to let him as I am rubbish at it. He went straight in with a bid of 200rupees to take us both home. I was then flabbergasted when the driver replied "no, no", I paused, awaiting him to come back with a higher amount but instead he said "one-fifty rupees". Seizing our opportunity we took the lower price and jumped in. Correct me if I am wrong though, and like I say I am no good at haggling, but wasn't he supposed to try and bid us upwards?
Back in the office today, although in truth it feels like I have never been away. Advances in modern technology mean that I am able to do pretty much everything from the villa. I have a laptop, wireless internet, access to all the necessary files/software at the office via remote connection and a blackberry mobile phone. This meant I was able to cover the flying from the villa without needing to go and sit in the office, alone, which was better for me.
We had a small celebration at work today because things are starting to get busy. Even in my short time here I have seen things grow which is good. I won't deny Sunday was hard going as I am still finding my feet, but I also enjoyed it in a way. I was glad when everything was put to bed though and I could relax.
This morning I saw the paper boy for the first time delivering to next door. I say boy, he must have been about eighteen or so. The main difference to what you would expect to find about a paper boy back home was he was riding a motorbike and, of course, he was not wearing a helmet.....preferring instead to trust his wellbeing and safety on these chaotic roads to a bandana! All I can say is.....good luck with that old son!!!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Sunday 14th December
Believe it or not I am working hard. We have a fairly busy flying programme and I am doing my bit as it were. The consolation is I am in the relative comfort of the villa and am able to do pretty much everything from here.
At one stage I thought I may have to go into the office because we had a power cut. These are common in India and are as frequent an occurence as say, a herd of cattle walking the wrong way down a busy road in rush hour, so quite frequent trust me!
I eventually got to bed about 1:30 am this morning. The barbecue was not a barbecue in the end because we gave up trying to light it the damn thing, so everything got grilled or fried indoors. About 8 people were there all told and we put the world to rights, and got progressively more and more inebriated (well what else would you do?)
I think I may at last have some colour to bring back with me, and to prove the 28 degree heat that is the average out here for winter!
As it is sunday, we have to fend for ourselves again. Damn rude isn't it? Still, am sure we will cope. You'll know if we haven't as the blog entries will come to a shuddering halt.
This time on Saturday I will be hopefully sitting in my lounge with my wife and daughter. I cannot deny I am excited about going home for Christmas. Having Freya has made me fall in love with Christmas all over again. It was always good to spend time with the family don't get me wrong, but having an eighteen month old daughter (whom I worship, can you tell?) who is starting to get into the magic of it all really makes it something to look forward to. My family will spoil her of course, and I have the truly pleasant condundrum of where to store all her presents.....I also know I will be spending Christmas Day and Boxing Day putting most of her presents together but that is what dad's are for isn't it?
At one stage I thought I may have to go into the office because we had a power cut. These are common in India and are as frequent an occurence as say, a herd of cattle walking the wrong way down a busy road in rush hour, so quite frequent trust me!
I eventually got to bed about 1:30 am this morning. The barbecue was not a barbecue in the end because we gave up trying to light it the damn thing, so everything got grilled or fried indoors. About 8 people were there all told and we put the world to rights, and got progressively more and more inebriated (well what else would you do?)
I think I may at last have some colour to bring back with me, and to prove the 28 degree heat that is the average out here for winter!
As it is sunday, we have to fend for ourselves again. Damn rude isn't it? Still, am sure we will cope. You'll know if we haven't as the blog entries will come to a shuddering halt.
This time on Saturday I will be hopefully sitting in my lounge with my wife and daughter. I cannot deny I am excited about going home for Christmas. Having Freya has made me fall in love with Christmas all over again. It was always good to spend time with the family don't get me wrong, but having an eighteen month old daughter (whom I worship, can you tell?) who is starting to get into the magic of it all really makes it something to look forward to. My family will spoil her of course, and I have the truly pleasant condundrum of where to store all her presents.....I also know I will be spending Christmas Day and Boxing Day putting most of her presents together but that is what dad's are for isn't it?
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Saturday 13th December 2008
I got my tour of the city as promised. One of my colleagues was kind enough to use his day off to take me round the city. We had a car, and a local driver, so all we had to do was sit back and enjoy.
First stop was the Gondola Fort and what an amazing construction. It is hard to imagine that it was probably built around the time our little island (and it's people) were still living in mud huts and worshipping all kinds of gods. It is also clear that when the British ruled India we simply pointed big guns at the place and said "are you coning out? or are we coming in?"....the distinct lack of damage to the place would suggest they opted to come out!
Again, we were accosted by the locals. One guy, clearly a tour guide, would not take no for an answer. We told him so many times to go away but he kept following us and giving us information that, for all we know, he could have just made up. Had he told us the fort was built in the 6th century by one armed, latin speaking kangaroos, would we have known any better? Eventually he did give up, after we made it plain for the umpteenth time that we were happy to wander around by ourselves. He then had the cheek to ask us to pay for what he had told us already, even thogh we didn't ask for it!
The locals here find westerners fascinating. All around the fort they stopped and stared and even on occasion, followed us around, looking at what we were looking it. It was like having our own entourage. At one point we were stopped and asked if we would have our photos taken with some Indian visitors to the fort. To be honest it is difficult not to feel like a celebrity when it happens so often. I even turned to offer them my autopgraph but they had gone!
Whilst all that is nice, and it does no harm, you need to be mindful out here that people also see westerners as cash-rich. Tuk-tuk drivers will ignore locals and aim for tourists because they generally pay better and have more disposable income. Beggars are also a problem, and very persistant, so you have to be firm and in some cases aggresive to get rid of them. It pays for even to most philanthropic of people to develop a hard heart out here.
Next stop was the lake. In the middle is a giant statue of Buddha that is known locally as the "Buddha of death". Legend has it that there are the remains of 6 people underneath who were killed during its construction. I have to say, it was not as impressive as I had hoped, nor did it live up the billing it was given by the guide books. A few minutes later (after we had marvelled at the manky green water in the lake) we were back on the road.
We wandered around the shops for a bit and I treated myself to a new bag. I know I have loads, but this one has wheels and will come in very useful believe me. After lugging my laptop around Doha airport transit lounge for 3 hours on the way out here, it hurt trust me. I will now be able to wander around Dubai on the way back without fear of inducing a curvature of the spine! happy days!
Inevitable we ended up in the pub (the sports bar to be precise). It has every conceivable sport on numerous screens as those who have been in the UK ones will know. The beer is provided in what looks like giant food blenders (containing about 8-10 pints I would guess), the core of which is frozen to keep the beer cool. My colleague made the mistake of accepting a bet with me regarding my knowledge of sport. Silly man and he is now a 100rupees worse off.
Sadly I had to curtail our fun as work called. There is more work coming in all the time and there was stuff to be done. Playtime was definitely over but hold on....I hear word of a barbecue back at the villa. Must dash!
First stop was the Gondola Fort and what an amazing construction. It is hard to imagine that it was probably built around the time our little island (and it's people) were still living in mud huts and worshipping all kinds of gods. It is also clear that when the British ruled India we simply pointed big guns at the place and said "are you coning out? or are we coming in?"....the distinct lack of damage to the place would suggest they opted to come out!
Again, we were accosted by the locals. One guy, clearly a tour guide, would not take no for an answer. We told him so many times to go away but he kept following us and giving us information that, for all we know, he could have just made up. Had he told us the fort was built in the 6th century by one armed, latin speaking kangaroos, would we have known any better? Eventually he did give up, after we made it plain for the umpteenth time that we were happy to wander around by ourselves. He then had the cheek to ask us to pay for what he had told us already, even thogh we didn't ask for it!
The locals here find westerners fascinating. All around the fort they stopped and stared and even on occasion, followed us around, looking at what we were looking it. It was like having our own entourage. At one point we were stopped and asked if we would have our photos taken with some Indian visitors to the fort. To be honest it is difficult not to feel like a celebrity when it happens so often. I even turned to offer them my autopgraph but they had gone!
Whilst all that is nice, and it does no harm, you need to be mindful out here that people also see westerners as cash-rich. Tuk-tuk drivers will ignore locals and aim for tourists because they generally pay better and have more disposable income. Beggars are also a problem, and very persistant, so you have to be firm and in some cases aggresive to get rid of them. It pays for even to most philanthropic of people to develop a hard heart out here.
Next stop was the lake. In the middle is a giant statue of Buddha that is known locally as the "Buddha of death". Legend has it that there are the remains of 6 people underneath who were killed during its construction. I have to say, it was not as impressive as I had hoped, nor did it live up the billing it was given by the guide books. A few minutes later (after we had marvelled at the manky green water in the lake) we were back on the road.
We wandered around the shops for a bit and I treated myself to a new bag. I know I have loads, but this one has wheels and will come in very useful believe me. After lugging my laptop around Doha airport transit lounge for 3 hours on the way out here, it hurt trust me. I will now be able to wander around Dubai on the way back without fear of inducing a curvature of the spine! happy days!
Inevitable we ended up in the pub (the sports bar to be precise). It has every conceivable sport on numerous screens as those who have been in the UK ones will know. The beer is provided in what looks like giant food blenders (containing about 8-10 pints I would guess), the core of which is frozen to keep the beer cool. My colleague made the mistake of accepting a bet with me regarding my knowledge of sport. Silly man and he is now a 100rupees worse off.
Sadly I had to curtail our fun as work called. There is more work coming in all the time and there was stuff to be done. Playtime was definitely over but hold on....I hear word of a barbecue back at the villa. Must dash!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Friday 12th December 2008
Not really too much to report today. Just thought i'd let everyone know I was still here!!
Got some flying confirmed for the weekend and I have just set that up (my first proper one). I feel like it is my baby and will watch that one very closely I can tell you. Nothing is ever confirmed, not in this industry, and I fully expect it to change innumerate number of times between now and it actually operating. That's just the way it goes, particularly in business jets, so it no longer troubles me.
Tomorrow I am hopefully being taken on a tour of Hyderabad so I can get to know this city better. I am really looking forward to it because all I have really seen so far is the journey to and from work. I haven't really even explored the complex my villa is situated in! There is a garden, or reserve, the other side of the fence opposite where I am staying and part of me wants to explore it. No doubt I will at some stage, but I am very wary that I may come across the thing I hate the most, namely snakes, so it may take me some time to pluck up the courage to do that on my own!
Got some flying confirmed for the weekend and I have just set that up (my first proper one). I feel like it is my baby and will watch that one very closely I can tell you. Nothing is ever confirmed, not in this industry, and I fully expect it to change innumerate number of times between now and it actually operating. That's just the way it goes, particularly in business jets, so it no longer troubles me.
Tomorrow I am hopefully being taken on a tour of Hyderabad so I can get to know this city better. I am really looking forward to it because all I have really seen so far is the journey to and from work. I haven't really even explored the complex my villa is situated in! There is a garden, or reserve, the other side of the fence opposite where I am staying and part of me wants to explore it. No doubt I will at some stage, but I am very wary that I may come across the thing I hate the most, namely snakes, so it may take me some time to pluck up the courage to do that on my own!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
9th to 11th Dec 2008
My apologies for not having written anything for a couple of days but I have a good reasons I promise!
Firstly, our wireless router at the villa blew up! I was sat next to it on Tuesday night, typing up the latest instalment, when I saw a spark out the corner of my eye that was closely followed by a crack. The lights went out in the villa and then the whole street! They came back on fairly quickly but our router was no more. We held a short service for it, said some prayers, and then buried it in the back garden before returning to the lounge for a short wake. Actually I made that last bit up (did you guess?) but the truth was our router was dead (I suspect it was an electrical surge that did it). Luckily I'd had the good sense to buy a travel adapter that already had a surge protector on it so my laptop was safe at least.
My other reason for not writing was simply that I have been busy. Work is really picking up and I am becoming more and more of a part of that. Stuff is being handed over to me now, and I am confident enough to suggest ideas and take things on my own initiative. I genuinely feel I am able to make mistakes and, as long as they are honest ones, then that is understandable. Don't get me wrong, mistakes through laziness or general incompetence are not permissible but, as a manager, I never tolerated those and would not expect them to be tolerated of me.
You will not be shocked to learn either that my lunchtime choices have not become anymore adventurous. Tuesday we went to a Coffee Republic type outfit (the name of which escapes me), and the last two days have been KFC!! I have been assured by more than one person that the office food is OK and I may yet try that, I just haven't built up the courage as yet.
Last night we did venture to a new place close to the villa that has only just opened. I had heard good reports about it and it did not disappoint. Food was good, and reasonably priced, and the beer flowed. The only thing I cannot get my head around is the way the waiters hang around you. If you so much as take a sip of beer they immediately pounce on you and refill your glass and this is the same for every place I have enjoyed a beer in. It is as if they have 360degree vision, or built in sensors that go off when someone is not accompanied by a full glass. To one who is used to having his own personal space, and values that deeply, it is difficult to comprehend. Being the first one there I cannot tell you how glad I was when my friends arrived and the waiters had someone else to fuss over!
I do have some good news to post as well. The company has very kindly changed my ticket to come home for Christmas two days earlier than planned, and I am now coming back on the 20th. I didn't ask for this but I was asked if I didn't mind working on Sunday. Having been a shift worker for such a long time I find that Sundays, nights and public holidays do not mean as much to me now as they did once so I don't mind that at all. Besides, I am out here alone and don't have a family out here to come home to so why not?
Roads again and another shining example of Indian logic to mention. You may remember me mentioning that they have a 200rupee fine for jumping red lights? Well I saw a sign on the way to work Wednesday that read "no parking here, fine 500 rupees". This was just by the side of the road, not near anything important like a fire station or a hospital, and they do not even know what a red route is here. In effect what they are saying is parking is 2.5 times more serious than jumping red lights? Discuss.....
Firstly, our wireless router at the villa blew up! I was sat next to it on Tuesday night, typing up the latest instalment, when I saw a spark out the corner of my eye that was closely followed by a crack. The lights went out in the villa and then the whole street! They came back on fairly quickly but our router was no more. We held a short service for it, said some prayers, and then buried it in the back garden before returning to the lounge for a short wake. Actually I made that last bit up (did you guess?) but the truth was our router was dead (I suspect it was an electrical surge that did it). Luckily I'd had the good sense to buy a travel adapter that already had a surge protector on it so my laptop was safe at least.
My other reason for not writing was simply that I have been busy. Work is really picking up and I am becoming more and more of a part of that. Stuff is being handed over to me now, and I am confident enough to suggest ideas and take things on my own initiative. I genuinely feel I am able to make mistakes and, as long as they are honest ones, then that is understandable. Don't get me wrong, mistakes through laziness or general incompetence are not permissible but, as a manager, I never tolerated those and would not expect them to be tolerated of me.
You will not be shocked to learn either that my lunchtime choices have not become anymore adventurous. Tuesday we went to a Coffee Republic type outfit (the name of which escapes me), and the last two days have been KFC!! I have been assured by more than one person that the office food is OK and I may yet try that, I just haven't built up the courage as yet.
Last night we did venture to a new place close to the villa that has only just opened. I had heard good reports about it and it did not disappoint. Food was good, and reasonably priced, and the beer flowed. The only thing I cannot get my head around is the way the waiters hang around you. If you so much as take a sip of beer they immediately pounce on you and refill your glass and this is the same for every place I have enjoyed a beer in. It is as if they have 360degree vision, or built in sensors that go off when someone is not accompanied by a full glass. To one who is used to having his own personal space, and values that deeply, it is difficult to comprehend. Being the first one there I cannot tell you how glad I was when my friends arrived and the waiters had someone else to fuss over!
I do have some good news to post as well. The company has very kindly changed my ticket to come home for Christmas two days earlier than planned, and I am now coming back on the 20th. I didn't ask for this but I was asked if I didn't mind working on Sunday. Having been a shift worker for such a long time I find that Sundays, nights and public holidays do not mean as much to me now as they did once so I don't mind that at all. Besides, I am out here alone and don't have a family out here to come home to so why not?
Roads again and another shining example of Indian logic to mention. You may remember me mentioning that they have a 200rupee fine for jumping red lights? Well I saw a sign on the way to work Wednesday that read "no parking here, fine 500 rupees". This was just by the side of the road, not near anything important like a fire station or a hospital, and they do not even know what a red route is here. In effect what they are saying is parking is 2.5 times more serious than jumping red lights? Discuss.....
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