KFC and other birds

It is a beautiful Thursday afternoon in Mumbai.  I am waiting for Ashish to come to the apartment to finish shopping before Saturday.  The sunshine and light breeze is still here.  I am enjoying a beef dish Franky (Interface Trainer with the deep voice) brought me for lunch today.  I am going to pause for a moment to taste the food.  Of course, there is a cup of coffee ready for me as well.

I just tasted the dish and it is wonderful.  The beef is so tender and the gravy tangy.  I had extra rice so I warmed it up together.  Thank you Franky for a great wake up dish.

For dinner Ashish, Sarvesh, Sameer (Hub Guy #1), Amit (Hub Guy #2), Noor and Bibind brought me to KFC.  I was so excited to meet Bibind George.  I had talked to Bibind when he worked at eCW.  We headed to KFC in Bibind's car.  The KFC has chicken and vegetarian dishes.  I had Popcorn Chicken, french fries and chicken strips.  The guys had a bucket of chicken.  I also tried the chicken and rice bowl.  It was not plain white rice that you would get in the US.  The rice had curry and masala with 6 pieces of popcorn chicken.  The food was great.  One comment about the guys - They eat A LOT of food!

While we were sitting at the tables a couple of the guys had their mobiles out.  I asked them to put them away to enjoy the conversation.  They listened unlike Anupam from the previous adventure at a restaurant. One of the KFC workers would bring out the customers food and he was staring at me.  The second time I said "Hello".  He nodded.  Before we left we asked the security guard to take a picture of us.  I motioned to the worker who kept staring to come over and be in the picture with us.  He came over.  I shook his hand and thanked him for the food and being in the picture.  Now I am waiting for Sameer and Sarvesh to send me the pictures taken.  *Hint*

I had a great time with all of the guys.  Thank you Bibind for the food.  Have a wonderful time in Paris.  Please remember me.

I have begun packing.  I have 1 suitcase done.  It weighs exactly 50 lbs/23 kg.  The other suitcase is almost empty.  I have a small carrier on suitcase as well.  I will have a travelling companion on the way back.  Vijeta will be on the same flight.  The British Airway plane is scheduled to depart Mumbai at 1350 on 1 March.

Some people want to send items back with me.  I have room to 23 kg.  Once it hits that magic number, nothing else will be taken.

I do not think Ashish is coming.  It is almost 3pm IST and he has not answered his mobile or responded to Whats App.

There were 2 male pigeons fighting on my terrace.  There was a female pigeon strutting her stuff as well.  The males were going crazy.  The female was watching off to the side.  The pigeons were jumping on each other and flapping their wings.  The males were perched side by side flapping their wings.  It does not matter the male species.  Females make males do crazy things.  After their "manly" display the female flew off leaving the males perched on the railing.

I have taken a few pictures of sights on my trek to work.  We take a left at the Petrol Station to go to the Boomerang.  There is a blue structure in the middle of the road with elephants statues at the top.  I have unable to get a picture of the blue structure since we turn left.  There is a blue marble building with has a sign that states "Pay before Services rendered".  I have only seen men go in one door and exit a door on the side of the building.  I have asked Shubro and Franky what services are being paid for.  Ananth told me it was a lavatory for men.

This is the Petrol Station with an auto rickshaw waiting.

People have asked me one of the best memories I have of Mumbai.  The first moments walking out of the airport waiting for Ananth, Royson, Ashish and Rohit.  I was standing with my luggage feeling so fortunate to be in Mumbai, India.  All the people were waiting for loved ones or guests to transport.  I was going to meet all of the people I have talked to in the past 7 years.  Rohit, Shanawaz, Ananth and Royson had been to the US.  I was so happy to see them again, but all of the others.  As the month has progressed I have gotten to know the IPMs and techs better. I am the luckiest person!   My first moment in Mumbai will always be the most exciting. I was waiting to be picked up to begin my adventure.  I could not stop smiling.

There are so many other memories as well.  My first auto rickshaw ride was so exciting.  I was with Ashish going to Mainland China restaurant.  The bump on the head reminded me to be more careful the next time.  The second time was as exciting with Shanawaz going to BBQNation. I did not bump my head the second time. I love the auto rickshaw.  I hope in the next 2 days I will have one more chance. If not, I will be back.

I am very excited about being home with Manny and Max. I have missed them both.  The kitchen is almost done.  I have been keeping up-to-date on the progress on Manny's blog and talking to him.  I have missed all of the snow storms in Massachusetts as well.  I love snow, but the weather in Mumbai in February was so much better.

The crow that visits almost every day has come again.  It sits on the terrace railing and caws.  I will miss the crows and pigeons flying.  They have become a part of my every day life in Mumbai.  The caws and cooing are sounds I have become accustomed to.  The pack of dogs barking in the distance was somewhat terrifying at the beginning of my stay, but I rarely notice it now.  There are so many homeless dogs and cats in Mumbai.  They are all over in the streets and on the sidewalks.  They climb the hill outside of the apartment.  They will move when a vehicle comes close to them.  I have seen the dogs rummaging in trash.  They need to eat since there is no one to care for them.

Noor and Sameer - You have to watch "Mr. Holland's Opus".  The movie is a beautiful story about a teacher and his love for his students.  It will make you cry at the end.

Well - Ashish was a "no show".  I will try to buy some Indian sweets at the airport.  Time to get ready for work.