It is another beautiful day in Mumbai. It is slightly overcast but the sun is shining with a light wind blowing the trees. The temperature is the same as always warm but not hot. (Sophia - I am trying to change my descriptions for you. It is hard when the weather is constantly warm and beautiful.) Nights are perfect. There is a light wind and the temperature is perfect for nice walk. I am not allowed to go on a walk by myself, but it is nice to walk with others.
Walking is interesting in Mumbai. There are some sidewalks but they are not accessible all the time. The preferred place is the streets in the day or night. There are every type of vehicle on the road from push carts to large trucks. During the day I feel a bit safer because you can be seen and there are no headlights required. At night it is another story. Remember headlights at night are optional in Mumbai. We are walking on the street and I can feel the vehicles drive inches (millimeters) pass us. I am always flinching and checking where the vehicles are, but my friends do not notice anything.
Why does the chicken cross the road? Remember chickens mostly live in the country with very little traffic, so the likelihood of getting to the other side safely is 90% good. When a person or group of people are trying to cross the road in Mumbai, you begin praying before you start. On Saturday night after the festival Vijeta, Shahbaaz and I had to cross a very busy road with unknown number of lanes because there are no lane markings. Vijeta and I are holding hands tightly and I am holding Shahbaaz's arm for balance. Remember to look the opposite way because the traffic is opposite. This is very, very, very important. There was moment (very short) with no oncoming traffic. We make it to the middle of the road. We were stuck in the middle of the road. Vehicles coming from both directions. They don't care you are in the road. They HONK! There was a steady stream of traffic from the other side then vehicles were coming the other way as well. The vehicles come so close to us from both ways. Finally there is a break in the traffic and we cross. This is NORMAL. It is a thrill. I felt satisfied I made it safely to the other side. I am getting used to crossing a smaller road, but the wide roads are still scary.
Yesterday started with Rohit and I going to Mass, then grocery shopping at the Phoenix Market City Mall. This mall is HUGE. We went to Reliance Mart for a few groceries. I needed some items. No junk food was bought for the people thinking I am only going to eat junk. I saw signs for Pizza Hut pizza. I had to have pizza. I bought chicken/cheese pizza and a plain cheese pizza because buy 1 and get 1 for a lesser amount. It was delicious. I had some from lunch and dinner yesterday as well as breakfast this morning. (Brings back memories of college/university life in the dormitory and cold pizza after a night of drinking with friends. Of course I was underage so there was no alcoholic beverages - Ha!)
Rohit dropped me back at my apartment. I had my pizza and water. I was getting ready for eCW Family Day. I had brought my traditional outfit. Ananth (yes - I am writing about you again) had to be at work at 1pm, so he dropped Prerna at my apartment to be picked up at 230pm by the taxi. Prerna and I had a wonderful talk. Ananth is very lucky to have a smart, beautiful and understanding wife. We got to Family Day around 3pm. I was honored to meet so many families. I finally met Shanawaz's family including his wife, mother and son. Yaamin is very handsome little boy. He has his daddy's eyes. Unfortunately I can't mention everyone I met but all of the families were proud of their son, daughter, husband, wife, sister and/or brother. I was so happy I was here for the event. Sorry - There were no pictures allowed during this time. There are no pictures allowed anything in the Waikiki office.
I was so tired yesterday, so I wanted to go to sleep early. My apartment mate came around 530pm. Archana is a new eCW employee in the RCM group. Her family lives in Pune. She will be looking for an apartment with roommates. She has to find a place within 2 weeks. We had talked about 1 hour before I went to my bedroom. At that time I could not get to sleep (is not that the way!), so I watched "Shawshank Redemption". Noor and Sameer (Hub Guy #1) told me this is the best movie ever and could not believe I did not see it. It was a great movie. I thought it was going to be another movie about the horrors of prison life. It was a movie about as long as you have hope and a goal you have something to life for. SPOILER ALERT!!!! Brooks did not have either. He only knew prison life. My work goal for the past 2 years has been to come to Mumbai and meet all of the people I have worked with for years. I am here. Not all goals, prayers and wishes are granted immediately. Patient is a virtue.
I woke up in around 2am, so I called Manny and talked. Max and Manny were looking for light switches for the kitchen and living room. They went to H Mart. I love H Mart. Some many Asian countries represented in one large supermarket. They have so much food to sample for the different. It is a great place to have a free lunch.
This week I begin training. I am so excited. I want to learn from my coworkers/friends. It will be a great time.
The Admin person and housekeeping have come. I am not used to have someone come and clean.
I have a new lesson I have just learned. I need to put my shoes on early when my foot is not so swollen (only slightly swollen) because waiting 2 hours it is very difficult to wear my shoes.
Now off to work.
Walking is interesting in Mumbai. There are some sidewalks but they are not accessible all the time. The preferred place is the streets in the day or night. There are every type of vehicle on the road from push carts to large trucks. During the day I feel a bit safer because you can be seen and there are no headlights required. At night it is another story. Remember headlights at night are optional in Mumbai. We are walking on the street and I can feel the vehicles drive inches (millimeters) pass us. I am always flinching and checking where the vehicles are, but my friends do not notice anything.
Why does the chicken cross the road? Remember chickens mostly live in the country with very little traffic, so the likelihood of getting to the other side safely is 90% good. When a person or group of people are trying to cross the road in Mumbai, you begin praying before you start. On Saturday night after the festival Vijeta, Shahbaaz and I had to cross a very busy road with unknown number of lanes because there are no lane markings. Vijeta and I are holding hands tightly and I am holding Shahbaaz's arm for balance. Remember to look the opposite way because the traffic is opposite. This is very, very, very important. There was moment (very short) with no oncoming traffic. We make it to the middle of the road. We were stuck in the middle of the road. Vehicles coming from both directions. They don't care you are in the road. They HONK! There was a steady stream of traffic from the other side then vehicles were coming the other way as well. The vehicles come so close to us from both ways. Finally there is a break in the traffic and we cross. This is NORMAL. It is a thrill. I felt satisfied I made it safely to the other side. I am getting used to crossing a smaller road, but the wide roads are still scary.
Yesterday started with Rohit and I going to Mass, then grocery shopping at the Phoenix Market City Mall. This mall is HUGE. We went to Reliance Mart for a few groceries. I needed some items. No junk food was bought for the people thinking I am only going to eat junk. I saw signs for Pizza Hut pizza. I had to have pizza. I bought chicken/cheese pizza and a plain cheese pizza because buy 1 and get 1 for a lesser amount. It was delicious. I had some from lunch and dinner yesterday as well as breakfast this morning. (Brings back memories of college/university life in the dormitory and cold pizza after a night of drinking with friends. Of course I was underage so there was no alcoholic beverages - Ha!)
Rohit dropped me back at my apartment. I had my pizza and water. I was getting ready for eCW Family Day. I had brought my traditional outfit. Ananth (yes - I am writing about you again) had to be at work at 1pm, so he dropped Prerna at my apartment to be picked up at 230pm by the taxi. Prerna and I had a wonderful talk. Ananth is very lucky to have a smart, beautiful and understanding wife. We got to Family Day around 3pm. I was honored to meet so many families. I finally met Shanawaz's family including his wife, mother and son. Yaamin is very handsome little boy. He has his daddy's eyes. Unfortunately I can't mention everyone I met but all of the families were proud of their son, daughter, husband, wife, sister and/or brother. I was so happy I was here for the event. Sorry - There were no pictures allowed during this time. There are no pictures allowed anything in the Waikiki office.
I was so tired yesterday, so I wanted to go to sleep early. My apartment mate came around 530pm. Archana is a new eCW employee in the RCM group. Her family lives in Pune. She will be looking for an apartment with roommates. She has to find a place within 2 weeks. We had talked about 1 hour before I went to my bedroom. At that time I could not get to sleep (is not that the way!), so I watched "Shawshank Redemption". Noor and Sameer (Hub Guy #1) told me this is the best movie ever and could not believe I did not see it. It was a great movie. I thought it was going to be another movie about the horrors of prison life. It was a movie about as long as you have hope and a goal you have something to life for. SPOILER ALERT!!!! Brooks did not have either. He only knew prison life. My work goal for the past 2 years has been to come to Mumbai and meet all of the people I have worked with for years. I am here. Not all goals, prayers and wishes are granted immediately. Patient is a virtue.
I woke up in around 2am, so I called Manny and talked. Max and Manny were looking for light switches for the kitchen and living room. They went to H Mart. I love H Mart. Some many Asian countries represented in one large supermarket. They have so much food to sample for the different. It is a great place to have a free lunch.
This week I begin training. I am so excited. I want to learn from my coworkers/friends. It will be a great time.
The Admin person and housekeeping have come. I am not used to have someone come and clean.
I have a new lesson I have just learned. I need to put my shoes on early when my foot is not so swollen (only slightly swollen) because waiting 2 hours it is very difficult to wear my shoes.
Now off to work.
HONKING is one essential quality to b a KILLER driver in mumbai...:)
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