Diwali Time

Happy Diwali!  It was said all day yesterday!  The happiness was everywhere.  For me to be in India during the Diwali celebration has been wonderful.  I watched the fireworks announcing Diwali is here! 

After work shift ended, I was back at the Hyatt Regency.  Rush called to discuss the plans for lunch with his family.  Based on the time we discussed, I was ready at 12 noon IST.  This time is my time not India or Rush time.  About 1-1/2 hours later we were off in an auto rickshaw to his home.  We had a wonderful lunch and great conversation with his Mom and sister.  Due to the lateness of the lunch my plans with Khatija were canceled.  I feel horrible about missing time with her.   I had time to shop with Rush and his Mom.  It was a great time.  I purchased some items. 

Rush, Mom and Me!

Wednesday of Diwali I have been told is the best day to by gold.  It was fun and listen to the bartering.  Even though it was in a different language, I knew the best deal will be given.  Look at Rush's Mom face.  She is so beautiful.  Who can say NO to her???  It was a fun experience.  Rush is a great son!

Later in the evening Ashish, Swapnil, Madhura and I drove to the Queen's Necklace in Mumbai.  We were meeting Avinash and Ruchi.  

Diwali fireworks were dancing in the night sky.  I was watching the show from my hotel room.  It was so beautiful.  Diwali celebration began Monday!  November 7 was Diwali.What is Diwali?

It was a beautiful night.  The light cool breeze.  The happiness filling the air around me.  The women dressed so beautifully!  We met at a restaurant that is so popular the customers wait for a very long time. The food (vegetarian) was amazing.  It was so buttery and delicious.  Swapnil ate his and mine as well.  For a skinny guy he can eat a lot.  

Breathe freshener

Cooking!

Then - Avinash told me to get on the back of his scooter!  My head was spinning.  I told him that I wanted to ride on a scooter/bike in Mumbai.  And - here it is - the opportunity to do it.  My mind was trying to think of every possible excuse not to.  As I was getting on the back - my mind was telling me "YOU ARE CRAZY!".  There is no helmet of the passenger.  There is a new law for the driver and passenger to wear a helmet, but it so new no one does it.  The driver is required to wear a helmet.  Again so many do not wear it.  Most drivers do not fasten it under the chin, so it would not help anyway.  

I am on the bike.  Now I have to get my feet on the foot rests.  Done!  Ruchi is telling me to hold onto Avinash.  I was holding onto the back of the bike.  This is what I see others do.  I felt better to hold onto him instead.  Now we are ready, but need to take a selfie.  The excitement was growing.  I was actually ride on the Mumbai streets at night on the back of a bike. Me!  

Just the beginning! Excitement!

We are off.  I keep talking.  I needed to calm down.  The cool night air was brushing my face.  I was so excited to be on the bike.  I did it.  I overcame a fear.  I wanted to do this.  Avinash and Ruchi gave me a great gift!

 

I was asking questions during the entire trip.  This calmed me.  When the car had the left blinker on and Avinash went to the left side of the car...that scared me.  The car was turning into us.  Avinash took charge of the situation.  

What a great night!  

Back in traffic in Mumbai

My first day back in the office in Mumbai!  I felt at home. There are new people and the same people from 4 years ago. 
To begin at the beginning of the day or night.  I was ready and waiting in the lobby of the Hyatt at 630pm IST to get to the office at 7pm IST.  Remember I had no mobile from the office so there was no contact.  Thank goodness for Avinash and Ehsan.  I contacted them and was updated within a few minutes.  The taxi left at 545pm IST from the office and finally reached the Hyatt at 655pm IST, then 1 hour later we were at the office.  I said I would rather be 1 hour early then 1 minute late.
But this is Mumbai.  The traffic is as bad as Bangalore.  It took 10 minutes to be dropped off at 415am IST. 

Today I was picked up at 3pm IST.  I needed to visit with the off hours Interface Techs.  It was great to see all of the people who have been wonderful doing my assigned work.  I was so excited.  All of them are amazing people. 

As I was riding in the taxi this afternoon, I realized Mumbai is so green.  When I was here 4 years ago in February there was very little green.  There are plants and trees all over.  The greenery is so beautiful.  My vision has changed.  The green brings Mumbai to life.  I was told the rainy season just ended.  Now the trees and plants are green and growing.  The city is so alive.  I do not see many crows or pigeons as I did 4 years ago.  Maybe they are afraid of the Hyatt Regency. 
The green grass around the pool area is removed and patched daily.  If there is any spot turning brown, there is a man who has sod keeps the area GREEN.  There are roadways with plants and trees in the median.  It is so beautiful.  With all the traffic and pollution, the live growing plants make the places look so alive. 

Coming back to the office in Mumbai.  It is the same place with many new faces.  What is the same?  I can hear the honking of the traffic 7 floors below.  Why do they honk?  The honking tells the vehicles and pedestrians I am coming watch out.  There are different types of honking.  A quick little honk is warning I am coming or passing you. The longer angry honk means either I am cutting in front of you or you have cut in front of me.  Then there is the multiple little honks.  I believe this is to make the driver feel he/she has control of the situation.  There is no control.  If people have respect for each other the congestion would be less, but it would not  be as much fun.
The DUCK QUACK of the red buses makes me still laugh.

I have worn my first traditional outfit for Diwali which is tomorrow.  Why are the women's traditional outfits so cumbersome?  Why?  It is heavy and very warm.  It shows the women's mid-section.  I have covered mine.  I will be wearing sarees as well.  I will post pictures tomorrow. I am very excited to celebrate Diwali.  More explanation about Diwali tomorrow. 

I met the off hours Interface Techs today.  It is great to put faces to the voices.  Of course I met Prithvi, Ganesh, Dhawal and Shreyas on my last visit.  I finally met MY Akash.  I will be back on Thursday as well. 

I am falling asleep at the desk.  I am watching My Avinash.  I am keeping an eye or two on him.  I am floating from area to area.  I am sitting at Pankaj's desk.  I can see My Avinash from here.  It is a great spot.  I see Vance and Subhro as well.  Ok - at this time I only see Subhro!  He is a very dedicated IPM.  He was in early today. 

I need to move to Aijaz's desk to attend a call with a client. 

Happy Diwali!

Bangalore to Mumbai

I cannot believe I have been in Bangalore for almost 3 weeks.  Friday will be my last day in this beautiful city.  I am not going to say anything more on this topic until tomorrow.

It is almost time for Diwali.  What is Diwali?  All about Diwali!  The only experience I have with Diwali is at the Westboro Office.  Many dress in traditional Indian attire and we have Indian food for lunch.  The experience in India will be different.  I cannot wait for November 7th.  I have one traditional outfit.  On Saturday I will be shopping with Madhura for another outfit.  I will have pictures of the festivities next week.  I am so excited!

Today is a holiday in Kannada state. Bangalore is located in this state.  Some people at the office are taking it off.  Of course I am not.  Nov 1 Holiday for Kannada Day
I like the idea each state has the day off to celebrate their day.  It would be great if each state in the US did the same.  The date the state joined the United State Union would be declared a holiday as well as Independence Day on July 4th.  The problem is businesses in the US remove more paid holidays instead of adding.  It is all about the bottom line.
Because of the holiday it took 5 minutes door to door with my favorite taxi driver #7555.  I told him is a lucky.  Out of 4 times he has driven me there is only 1 time traffic was bad.  It was the gas main leak, so it does not count.  He is like me about time.  Be on time!

I never had a chance to finish my blog from yesterday.

Today is my last full day in Bangalore.  This experience has been amazing.  The city of Bangalore is full of life.
I have seen cows working in the streets of Bangalore. I have seen wild monkeys at Nandi Hills.  Shopping has been great!
The problem is my 2 pieces of luggage is at the limit for weight.  I have a small suitcase, backpack and another bag to carry on.  Will Air India get upset with me?  I need to practice to look pitiful!  Hopefully they will take pity on a crazy American woman who has a lot of stuff.  A week in Mumbai more stuff will be bought.  Maybe I will need to mail a box home????  I will have to think about this.  The airlines should be happy I am spending money.

Kiran at the Bangalore Office and I have met and I will be picked up tomorrow morning at 515am IST.  My flight on Air India is at 8am IST.  I will be landing in Mumbai around 1030am IST.  I will need to sleep because I will have no time when I end my  shift.

The time with the team has been a blessing.  I learned so much from them from the questions and calls we went on together.
Nitish (Hitman) will have the WHOLE area space back to himself.  Thank you for allowing me to sit with you.  Your joy of life is great!  You are spoiled.  You do not cook, clean or do laundry.  You need to learn this for the future Mrs. Nitish (HitWoman) to share all chores of the house equally.  Remember it is the 21st Century!  I will come to you for assistance on the documents.

Param - The Little Mouse

What can I say about Param!!!  My little Mouse.  You are so much fun!  You a time traveler.  How many people can travel backwards in time like you do.  Everyone in the office knows what I mean.  Param thank you for being who you are.  We will work together even more!

Nethra is the MAMA of the IPM Team.  Her eyes will tell you if she is happy, sad or frustrated.  I am so happy to have finally met her.   She is a great leader and very patient with all the other IPMs in the group.

Avinash K and Shibin are great leads.  Shibin is the old man of the group.  Ha! Ha! 
Thank you for everything.  Charith, Dhanya, Madhuri, Apo, and everyone else please keep asking questions to gain even more knowledge. 

Please reach out to me for anything.

Dhanya and Me

Having Fun

Param, Pari and Me

The GUYS

Bangalore Team - My friends!

I left Bangalore wearing with my eClinicalWorks sweatshirt.  It was cool and the Air India plane was cold.  We had to circle the Mumbai airport for 1 hour because of TRAFFIC! 
You cannot get away from Traffic even in the sky.

I have left my new friends in Bangalore to meet up with my old friends in Mumbai.

The first person I saw at the airport was my first TAGGED Tech!  Yes - "Who is Ashish?"

Ashish and Me 4 years later at the Mumbai Airport

I was met by Vijay at eCW.  We made it to the Hyatt Regency Hotel. WOW!  I could live in this style.  I will have a video tomorrow.

After 24 hours with no sleep, I had to take a little nap.  Then, I was off in a taxi to Viviana (??) Mall in Mumbai to meet up with Madhura and Vimal to shop!  Madhura and I did not talk much 4 years ago.  She would not talk to me.  Then, she became my Tagged Tech and our friendship grew.  Vimal, Madhura and I were off finding so many beautiful clothes.  I had to much fun.  Yes - I bought for others. Some for me! 

Sunday morning Rohit came to pick me up for Mass.  Mass was wonderful.  It was the same church as 4 years ago.  We were off to his home.  I was greeted by his Mom, Rachna and one of the Grannies!  They are still so beautiful. The other Granny is not well and in the hospital.  I pray she is well soon.  I met Swati,  Rohit's wife.  They are perfect for each other.  Swati lights the room with her smile!  Rohit is lucky to have her in his life.  Swati prepared a wonderful lunch.  It was great to catch up with everyone's life.   After, he drove me back to the Hyatt Regency.

I rested for a little while, then Khatija, the girls and her cousin came to visited.  We talked for hours.  It was great to catch up with all of them.  Kaynat is in college.  Afreen is in the last year in high school.  Time has flown by so quickly.  They are beautiful young women.  Khatija is always beautiful.  Loved catching up on everything.  Khatija and I will meet Wednesday afternoon for a couple hours to shop.  She already told the girls they are not welcomed.  It will be the 2 of us.  

Khatija, Kaynat, Afreen and Me

Last night, Shahbaaz and I went to dinner at a Persian restaurant.  It was delicious.  Then we were off the Flea Market in Bandra.  When Shahbaaz was purchasing the tickets for him and I to get in, a man selling the tickets asked if I was 60!  Do I really look like I am 60!!!!  He told me if I were 60 I would get in free.  I told him NO!  Do I really look 60?  Maybe in his eyes I do.  

We met Ashish, Swapnil and Madhura there.  It was a VERY VERY VERY HOT night.  There is no cool breezes like in Bangalore.  There is heat and no wind.  There was music and smells of food in the air.  You could buy anything and everything.  We walked up and down the lanes.  The place was alive with life.  After walking and shopping we were off to eat.  Madhura was hungry but did not know what she was hungry for.  She is so funny!  

We were off to a great restaurant.  I forgot to get the name of the place.  We sat inside with air conditioning.  It was still HOT at 1am IST.  We had butter chicken, some mutton dish (I did not try this one.  It had BONES!), roti, naan, aloo partha, some other dishes.  It was delicious.  The explosion of all the flavors.  Butter chicken in Mumbai is absolutely AMAZING!  We had so much fun - great conversation, great food, great friends!

After we stopped at St. Mary's in Bandra.  We lit candles for the loves who are no longer on this Earth.  I love this place.  It is so beautiful at night. We were there around 2am IST and there were people selling candles and people walking around the area.  

Mumbai is always moving.  There is something exciting to do every minute of the day!

Today is my first day at Waikiki office.  I am going to see old friends and meet new friends.  I am so excite.  

The weather in Mumbai is 90 F and SMOKE!   I have never seen the word Smoke in weather!  I do not see any smoke.  It is hot and humid!  There is a person asking to do Turndown Service in my room.  I am SPOILED!  

It is almost time!  Let the fun begin in Mumbai office.

A dog's life

It is a dog's life around Bangalore.  There are stray dogs around the area.  They hang around the area with the cafes and restaurants, but I have not seen them enter the place.  They stay outside on the sidewalk.  They communicate with each other with different barks.  It is funny to hear a dog hollowing or barking and the others in the area start to do the same.  They have no home, but it does not seem to bother them.  They are among the people of Whitefield.  I have seen some dogs growl at some people.  The person growled at jump because he/she are looking at his/her mobile and not paying attention to the dog.  The stray dogs have the right of way here.  They will stand, sit or lay anywhere and the people move around them.  Last night there was a dog sleeping in front of Best Restaurant. People were moving around the dog.  He laid in the middle of the walk sleeping.  No one bothered him.  I thought may be he was dead, but I saw is chest rising and lowering.  If only I could sleep the same way.  Not outside on the walkway, but not waking with all the world happening around me.  I would be more energetic during the day if I could do this. 

A dog's life - No worries

Look at this dog.  People everywhere.  He does not care.  Maybe because he is living on the streets he is used to the noise and people.  The respect between the dogs and people is amazing.  

Today is Halloween!  BOO!  Nethra informed about 1 hour ago the team is wearing all black.  I do not own a black shirt.  The only clothes I have dark is a dark green shirt and dark blue pants.  I have black shoes.  I do not own many black clothes.  I like color in my life.  I know people who own only black, gray, white clothes.  It is a very monotone color palette.  There is so many beautiful colors in the world.  I have read pink is a great color to wear because it makes you look younger.  I own different shades of pink.  Manny will be home to hand candy to the ghosts, goblins, princesses and superheroes going door to door in the neighborhood.  

I remember the days walking Erika and Max around the neighborhood.  Max was Tigger Tiger from Winnie the Pooh for 2 years then I was a Train Engineer for many more years.  Erika was something different every year.  She was a Religious Nun, butterfly, fairy, princess and many others.  My parents would surprises the children by flying to Boston for Halloween.  Max and Erika were so excited to have Grandpa and Grandma visiting.  It was a great time.  

Manny is a big kid at Halloween.  He has the Star Wars custom with the real light saber.  He also has the M & M custom.  He will be dressing up (I believe) to hand out candy tonight.  23 years ago when we moved to the neighborhood there were so many children. As time moves forward the children grow up.  The number of children coming to the doors are less.  It is still a great time seeing the excitement on their faces when they get candy.  It is the littlest ones which are so cute.  Then you have the Mooses (the teenagers) coming to the door.  They are there for the candy and want to continue Trick or Treat traditions before they have to grow up.  To stay young!  

Saturday morning I will be leaving Bangalore.  It has been an amazing time here.  The weather has been beautiful.  It is never too hot or too cold.  The people have been great!  They are so much fun.  They are so relaxed.  There never seems to be an urgency about anything.  You have to learn not to worry about trying to get places in a hurry.  Why?  The traffic!  You have to let things go.  I am not concerned about having the taxi driving the wrong way.  I try not to worry about being late to work.  This still bothers me!  When you have no control you should not worry.  I have packing my suitcases to head to Mumbai on Saturday morning.

I will miss the Integration Project Managers in the Bangalore Office.  They are so fun!  They are so excited about learning.  Today during the training is it GAME TIME!  For the past 2-1/2 weeks I have been trying to give them all the information they need to grow in knowledge.  For the last few days I will be the Game Host!  Which team will win?  Let's see who remembers what I said.  

I need to back a little more.  Manny is not with me to pack for me!  

Yikes!  The taxi is here 15 minutes early.  Time to go!

Taxi - Mall - Office

Yesterday while riding in the taxi, the driver told me the traffic was very, very bad because of the gas main leak that occurred early in the morning.  It was 530pm IST and the traffic was HORRIBLE.  Where did the gas main leak happen?  Was it near the office or the mall?  I do not know.  What I do know was the traffic was crazy.  There motorcycles traveling on the walkway heading in BOTH directions.  The motorcycles drivers were honking at the pedestrians on the walkway.  I do not understand how more people are not injured walking.  My driver was the same taxi number 7555 I had twice last week.  He is very nice and wants to talk. 
When a taxi is scheduled via OLA or Uber, you need to know the Taxi last 4 numbers on the license plate.  Why would you need to know this?  Taxis and auto rickshaws are the 2 most popular modes of transportation.  There are so many taxis waiting you need to know which one is your scheduled taxi.  The 4 digits are on the license plate and the side of the vehicle.  I have used OLA only.  When I get into the taxi I give the OTP # assigned for the ride, then off we go.  The route to be taken is on the phone, so you can verify the driver is going the correct way.   The cost of the ride is already determined.  I have been paying 103 rupee each way from the hotel to the mall and back.  The exchange rate is $1 to 68 rupee as of yesterday.
Why are there no women taxi drivers?  What is the problem?  I have only seen men as taxi driver.  Back to the taxi ride yesterday, the driver stated that women should not be working evening shift.  He said women should be home at night.  He is young.  Why would it be different for men or women working the 6pm-3am IST (830am-530pm ET)?  This is the shift to work daytime hours in the US. 

Today, I have not received my notification for the taxi pick up from the Transportation at the office.  I have called the phone number.  The person told me he will look into it.  This was 1 hour ago.  Are they tired of scheduling a taxi for me daily?  I share a ride at the end of the shift with 3 other employees.  I don't know why I can't share a ride coming into the office.

Office = Job = Work.  In the US I will say I am going to work or job.  In India everyone says Office.  I am going to the office.  It does sound more official saying Office.  "I am going to the OFFICE!"  My question is if you do not work in an office what does the person say???  The people working in stores or on the Metro construction.  What do they say they are going?  To the Office site or To the Store???  Neither have an office for them.   Does the Puncher Shop employee say he is going to the office?  What about the people who own stores?  What do they say?  So many questions...

School does not equal College.  When I was visiting Venessa's family on Saturday, I asked Raoul how he liked school.  I was corrected that he is in College.  School is the term used for pre-school to high school.  College is for higher education.  I did not realize there was a difference.   All of it the same to me.  University is a term used in the US as well. 

I went to the Phoenix Mall - again!  I went back to finish purchasing some outfits for Manny and Max before I head to Mumbai this weekend.  I woke up at 11am IST and was in the taxi by 12 noon IST.  What a great time to go to the mall once I got there.  TRAFFIC was horrible.  The only time traffic is not bad is at 3am IST.  The traffic was crawling slowly towards the mall.  I passed the office while going to the mall.  The mall at this time is a perfect time to go.  I was able to go into the stores to pick up the last of the clothes for Manny and Max very quickly.  There were no crowds.
I did not forget Erika.  I will be shopping with Madhura and Vimal this Saturday in Mumbai. 
I never like shopping for me, but shopping for my family is very enjoyable.  The store clerks see me coming and are willing to assist me with EVERYTHING!  One of the store clerks kept try to sell me T-shirts for the winter in Bangalore.  I told her that it is already very cold in Boston.  I don't need t-shirts.  She told me if I buy 3 it is a great deal.  I was laughing inside.  The employees see me walking in and decide I will buy anything.  I am looking for specific items made in India.  One thing I did not find at the mall is one elephant.  This was good because I may have been tempted to buy it.  I bought only 1 elephant in my stay in Bangalore.  This is the store filled with elephants.  I am very proud of myself.  I still have 10 days left in India.  I hope to control my urge to buy elephants. 

FYI - I received my notice for my taxi pick up.  It is not the same driver as yesterday.  Too bad!

When I returned from my shopping trip, Keys Hotel employees greeted me with a smile.  I know I have written this, but the staff at the hotel truly love their job.  They are always smiling.  Being in the hospitality business is very tough.  Customers are good and bad.  I know I would be yelling at bad customers.  I won't have the patience for people.  If you treat people with kindness, you hope they will do the same. 
If you come to Bangalore, Keys Hotel is a great place to say. 

It is at time of the day.  I have been up since 11am IST.  I will not go to sleep until 4am IST tomorrow.  Let's see how long I will be awake at the OFFICE.

Taxi is here.

After 3 days - Answers to questions and more thoughts

I have written anything for awhile.  I really tried Friday, but work got in the way.  Sometime work needs to come first.

Update on the questions I had...

I know what a Puncher Shop is.  It is not to hire someone to PUNCH another person.  Nitesh, the Hitman, told me the shop fixes the flat tires.  Now I understand why there are tires nailed to the trees and poles around the shop.  Why not Tire Shop?  Everything has come together.

The next question was answered about the wires hanging so low to the ground.  Nitesh, the Hitman, said the low hanging wires are internet wires.  I asked why the wires are not pulled tight to keep them out of the way of the people walking and traffic.  He did not know why the wires are not higher.

After the second week in Bangalore, I am able to go on OLA to get a taxi, learning you have no control of traffic so being late to the office is part of life here, and eating a lot of vegetarian dishes not always my choice.

Today I was thinking about all the pillars bisecting the crowded Bangalore roads.  The first day I was told the project of building the Metro Trains should be done by 2019.  When I am talking to everyone else other than the first taxi driver, they laugh when I said 2019.  Depending on the politicians maybe the tracks and stations will be completed by 2023. It reminded me of the "Big Dig" in Boston.  The number of years and all the money dumped into the project and mismanagement.

In front of the Keys Hotel the rise of the pillars have begun.  There are a few completed.  There is concrete platform on some of them.  This will be used to lay the tracks for the Metro. There is construction day and night 7 days a week.  The roads are even worse.  My fear is once the project is completed, there will be move accidents because the pillars in the middle.  The vehicles will try to keep moving forward and hit the pillars.  There are reflectors on the pillars, but everyone is in a rush.

Pillars appear overnight in the middle of the roads

It just ENDS!  

The workers on top of the platform

On Saturday, I went to Venessa's (Interface Support Tech) family home.  Her parents, brother, sister and her aunt who is a religious Sister were wonderful.  Mercy (her Mom) is a great cook.  She prepared mutton and chicken.  There were mango chutney, something with yogurt (not my favorite but I tried it), cabbage (cooked).  Everything was delicious.  We talked a lot except for her brother Rahul (?).  He is very quiet.  He is in his first year in medical college.  Her sister, Theresa is in her third year in engineering college.  Her father is retired and her mother is a loan officer at the state bank.  Theresa took some pictures.  I will ask Venessa to send them to me.  They have a beautiful home closer to the airport.  There are metro pillars going up over there as well.  I had a wonderful time talking about US politics (a very popular topic here), children (theirs and mine) and about their farmland in Kerala.  Mercy gave me a bag of fresh peppercorns from their farm.  Her dad, mom and aunt (the Sister) drove me back to the hotel.  It was a great night.

Yesterday, I attended Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes.  I love attending Mass here.  I can feel the love of God with parishioners.  The music is beautiful.  There are so many young people attending Mass.  I am getting used to the priest and some of the comments he says about women.  He is very old fashion.  Some of his thoughts are back from the 1950s and 1960s.  Women should be attentive to her husband and cook and clean.  I like how he asks for everyone to volunteer.  He does not want to pay for a job if the people of the church can come and do it.  There were no sweets sold today.  I took the taxi.  After Mass I watched/listened to the Red Sox game.  They won the 4 game of the World Series.  Early this morning, I tried to stay up to hear them win the World Series.  Sleep won out.  Back to the priest...His homilies are very inspiring.



Where did I go yesterday???? I went back to the Phoenix Marketcity Mall.  This time I knew what I wanted to buy.  I had a great time shopping.  Yes - I said I had a great time shopping.  I don't like to shop for me.  I was shopping for Manny, Max and Erika.  I love buying for others.  The exchange is so great.  Yesterday it was $1 US to 71 rupees.  I am standing at the cashier thinking all the clothes and other items I am purchasing is so inexpensive compared to the US.  I will try to get back there one more time to purchase a few other items Manny would like. 
What bothers me about the Mall!  People will walk 5 wide so no one can get around them.  They will not move or give any room.  The other is people standing in a large group in the walkway.  Why can't they move to one side. NO!  They stand there.  I have taken to go through the middle of the group.  I bet they are thinking what a rude white woman.  I have no way of getting around them, so the middle is the most direct route.  The mall is always busy unlike the malls in the Boston area.  There are more than stores selling watches than I ever saw.  It is a big thing here.  These places have been busy each time I have gone to the mall.  Krispy Kreme is big in Bangalore.  There are many restaurants (Chili's, California Pizza Kitchen, Pizza Hut, Domino's, Burger King).  Many are American restaurants.  Chili's serves buffalo, beef and pork as well as chicken.  I was shocked.  I know in Mumbai beef is banned. 
The taxi situation is getting easier for me.  I am able to schedule a mini taxi now.  Mini taxis are cheap. There is a single place for taxis drop off and pick up at the mall.  I was not choosing the type of payment before searching for a taxi on the OLA app.  I learned I need to declare the type of payment, then search.  It is quick and easy.  I am enjoying the opportunity to go out and see places around Whitefield area without being dependent on others.  I do miss driving my own car.  I do not think I would ever drive around this area.  There are too many vehicles (motorized and not) and people coming and going everywhere and the rules of the road is there is NO RULES.  There is no rhyme or reason. 

Sonam and me in the Cafe

Later in the evening I went to the Keys Hotel Cafe.  It would be the last time I would see some of the staff in the Cafe because I am leaving on Saturday morning.  They are wonderful.  Sonam is a beautiful young woman who loves her job.  She is always smiling and makes sure all patrons are happy.  Amit will order for me.  He knows what I like and don't like.  I trust his opinion about the food.  Kishore, Ganesh, Uma and the other staff are always there for my black coffee and any questions.  I eat very slow and I will sit there for up to 1 hour relaxing.  I see others coming in and eating quickly and leaving.  At the beginning of my stay they thought I did not like the food because I eat so little at one sitting.  I explained to them I love the food.  The taste of the spices and the variety.  I do not want to offend anyone.  The staff in most restaurants worry I don't like the food because most of it is boxed for me to bring home.  This is normal.  I will miss them all.  They spoiled me during my stay.  If you come to Bangalore, come to the Keys Hotel to the Cafe for delicious food and wonderful atmosphere because of the staff.  I cannot remember all of the staff, but they are all so great!

This is the last week in Bangalore!  It has gone so quickly.  I had to exchange $20 US for more rupees.  I need money for little things.  The hotel converts money.  This is great.  Every morning I come back from the office and there is always someone at the desk to greet me.  Every afternoon I come to the lobby and all of the staff are there smiling.  It is wonderful to have people around you who enjoy life.  It is better to be happy instead of being miserable.  Your happiness will be passed onto the next person. 

I have not had to do my own laundry for the past 2 weeks.  I put the clothes in a bag and fill out a form and give it to the front desk.  A day later my clothes come back cleaned and folded.  I could deal with this at home.  My bed is made every day.  Sharanappa does a great job cleaning my room.  He is always smiling.   By the time I come back from eating lunch (breakfast for me) he has begun cleaning my room.  He made a comment that I am very neat.  I keep everything is its place.  We will talk about anything.  I enjoy his visits.  He is creates towel art for me.  Maybe he does for others but I want to think he does for me only. 

I finally am tired of Romedy TV.  There are so many movies created but they keep showing the same ones over and over and over again.  I am streaming WKLB Boston County radio station.  The first song played when it started to stream was Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw.  What  a perfect song!  There is no such thing of coincidence.  This song always brings memories of the family and friends which have passed away, the friends and family I have with me now and the ones to come.  I am so grateful for everything.  God gives you what you can handle.  The tough thing is to accept it good or bad and still be happy.  Not everything is easy and happy.  The next song which played was Better Boat by Kenny Chesney.  It brings back memories of my childhood with my grandparents and family of the farm.  The family weddings and reunions with Mom and Dad's families.  It was a simpler time, but every generation says their generation was simpler.  If I could have 5 more minutes with all my loved ones who are no longer here but in my heart and memories, it would be such a great gift. 5 more minutes

All the new friends I have since coming to Bangalore.  It am humbled by all of them.  All of them are so wonderful.  I will not be nostalgic until the end of the week.  I still have 6 days before I fly to Mumbai to meet with old and new friends. 

It is time to get ready for the taxi ride to the office.  Let's see what adventure will be today!

Punch and Shock

My taxi driver got me to the office in last the 10 minutes yesterday.  There was no traffic and he was always driving on the correct side of the road.  The traffic experience is different each time.  I was at work before the man walks around and turns on all the lights.  Yes - It is not automatic.  A man walks throughout the floor to turn on the lights for each area.  Then a security man comes around and unlocks the meeting rooms.  I assume if a man walks throughout the 2 floors to turn on the light around 545pm IST, then there is a man who must walk around to turn off all the lights once the cleaning crew is finished.  In the Westborough office, the lights are on automatic setting.  

Every evening I get to my desk there is always 2 bottles of water.  Maybe I will ask the Westborough office if the same thing can be done there!  I know very funny.

I am in the office.  The man has worked around and turned on the lights.  

I have 2 questions I would like to have answers.

What is a Puncher Shop?  On the route to the office there are tires hanging on the tree.  On the tires in white paint it is written "Puncher Shop".  The first thought is Rushabh an ex-eCW employee who 4 years ago while I was at the Mumbai office would tell me "Punch him!"  At first I thought why is he asking me to punch people??  He kept asking me to punch people.  He said to me Punch Shanawaz (another ex-eCW person).  One shift I went up to Shanawaz after he said something to me and I punched him.  Not PUNCH but just a punch.  Could I have hired someone at the Puncher Shop to punch a person?  It is like a Hitman.  Not the Hitman (Nitesh Gunda) who sits next to me, but a really Punchman.  I have tried to google Puncher Shop in Bangalore.  I get Hole Punchers as the top finds.  

Do Puncher Shops make the holes in the tires?  There are tires hanging on the poles.  Maybe this is Puncher Shop.  I think Rushabh is the CEO of all the Puncher Shop.  

Tires on the Tree with Puncher Shop

Puncher Shop

My second question is really a concern for the well-being of the people walking.  There are poles with wires along the sidewalk or walk areas.  There are wires hanging so low a person can touch it.  Also, there are wires that are exposed.  I see sparks coming from the transformers atop the poles.  Are the wires active.  If a person touches a wire with exposed little wires or covered, will they get shocked or electrocuted?  Why are the wires so low?  No one seems concerned.  The people walking are looking that the mobiles or looking at the ground!  Why don't the electric company tighten the wires?  There are so many whys and not even answers.  Has anyone accidentally run into the low hanging wires.  The exposed wires frighten me even more.  The one I saw today the vehicles could touch.  Exposed wires and metal are not a good mix.  What happens to the motorcycles using the walkways?  Do they get entangled in the wires?  See I could keep going.  I want to walk to the St. Anthony's Tile Shop near the hotel, but need to watch for the wires.  I may do it tomorrow.  I will get up earlier.  Let's see.

The low hanging wires and a person walking

I have created another quiz for the team today.  Let's see how well I transferred the knowledge.

Random thoughts no other title

It is another beautiful sunny day.  The sky is blue with a slight haze.  The temperature has been in the 70s to 80s degrees F.  It is not too hot and humid in Bangalore.  I am looking out my hotel window and see the beautiful green trees.  There is a white bird flying across the blue sky.  There are very few crows in this area of Bangalore.  It is very quiet.

There are pillars be erected in the middle of the roads all around this area.  This will hold the new Metro Train system. 
This construction has added to the crazy traffic problems.  When you are riding in the taxi either you look to the right or left or focus on your mobile, so you do not see anything.  Driving in this traffic is a dance.  Who is the lead?  Who will be in control?  The lead is the driver.  He is not afraid to do anything to get to the endpoint.  The honking is the music or tempo.  The driver is swaying and moving to the right or left than begins to move forward.  He has to watch for others the same on the dance floor.  The driver is maneuvering the passengers around the streets of Bangalore.  The passenger feels safe with a driver who is in command.   It has been 9 days since I have come to Bangalore and nothing surprises about the traffic and driving. 
I have to trust my dance partner to get me around the streets of Bangalore.  A strong partner will always put his partner at ease. 

I have been watching Romedy TV.  Ro (Romantic) medy (Comedy).  I have not seen a Charlie Chaplin silent films in a very long time.  These are shown between movies.  Would Charlie Chaplin be a big movie star today as he was in the era of 1920s and silent movies?  The viewer listens to the music to understand what is happening.  Charlie Chaplin always wore the same clothes no matter the film.  It is very funny.  Today, there is music in the background of movies, but how many people hear it?  There is so much going on in the film that much of the music is missed.   I watched "Marley and Me" a few days ago.  I know the ending.  Why did I watch it?  I was in tears.  I tried to sleep but thoughts of the dogs which were apart of my family.  Wow! 

Yesterday I had created an Assessment Quiz.  I wanted to know if my training technique was working.  It was so funny.  They were going into small groups studying.  I was sitting on the first of 4 calls.  They were going through their notes.  At 11pm IST all was quiet.  You could here NOTHING.  Everyone was looking at their screens.  Shibin was nice enough to put the quiz in eCW University.  They were taking the quiz.  Now I was on my second call of the day.  It was a 2 hour call.  I had it on mute.  Hitman (Nitesh) finished the quiz but would not press submit.  Shibin had put a time limit of 10 minutes.  I tried to press the submit button for him.  He was waiting for the time to end and it would submit automatically.  Ugh!  It was driving me crazy.  Avinash and Shibin were walking up and down the rows.  It was like school.  When the teacher would start in the back of the room and watch all the students.  Then some (not saying names - Param) started to talk.  I was still on mute, so I was say SHH!  She would be quiet.  She is very hardworking and enjoys life.  Oh! to be young again.

The 10 minutes were up.  People were coming by telling me the score.  Later in the shift, we met as a group to go over all the answers.  I wanted to make sure they have the basics.  Today we are going to go over HL7 messages.  This is the type of messages for the orders and results.  I want the team to be able to read an HL7 messages.  The goal is for them to review the message to confirm it is formatted correctly.  I LOVE training HL7 messages.  Yes - I am a NERD! It is a puzzle.  I want to unravel it.  Is everything in the correct place?  Will the result message attach correctly to the patient and order?  It is so exciting.  Maybe not to you but to me it is!

I was just thinking about the shopping experience with Preeti, Celina and Shibin last Saturday.  Preeti is an amazing shopper.  She will not accept the price given by the merchant.  She looks at the price the bargaining begins.  She looks directly at the salesperson and states that it is too much.  Her eyes look at the items she wants then back to the salesperson.  I know the salesperson does not realize What Preeti wants Preeti gets!  She is passive aggressive.  She will tells them about the quality of the item and what she thinks it is worth.  I stood back learn how to bargain from a MASTER!  Her daughter, Kiara, will be a great shopper as well.  She will watch Preeti Mama and know never accept anything at the tagged price.  You always tell the merchant what price you will pay.  Preeti is a champion shopper! 

The taxi is waiting for me, so off I go into the dusk.  I hear the horns.  I am ready for the traffic dance.

Back to Nandi Hills then to the Mall

Before I go forward I need to go back to Nandi Hills.

While waiting for the fresh onion pakora to be fried. Nethra and I were standing near the table.  A man kept staring at me.  I turned not to make eye contact, but he was standing near me.  Finally I turned and made eye contact.  That was it!  It was his opening to begin talking even though Nethra and I were in a conversation.  There he was standing in front of me.  He introduced himself as Edwin.  He asked me my surname.  My response was "What?".  Again he asked my name.  I told him.  He proceeded to introduce his daughters, Sharon and Suzanne.  I smiled and thought the conversation had ended. Nethra began talking to Edwin in native language.  He continued asking where I work and why am I here in Bangalore.  I felt I was being interviewed by the India Immigration again.  The crowd around us was loud.  I was not paying complete attention.  Nethra and I were trying to end the conversation with Edwin.  Back to the question of the company...I told him eClinicalWorks.  He heard Economics.  At this time, Celina came over (Shibin moved to the front of the Pakora line for the freshly fried pakora.)  Edwin had become slightly aggressive with his questions (I believe it is cultural with his tone towards me.)  Celina calmly told him to leave us alone.  We are trying to enjoy Nandi Hills.  He should leave.  Celina never let her gaze leave Edwin.  Edwin knew he met his match with Celina.  She was done with him. 
Lesson #1 - Don't mess with Celina! When she asks to leave - Leave!

On Sunday evening, I wanted to go to the Phoenix Mall which is 3.7km/2.2 miles from the Keys Hotel.  The hotel taxi is 400 rupees.  This was too much.  I had asked on Facebook what is the average cost of a taxi ride.  Most responses were 60-100 rupee one way.  Of course, Shibin had to be funny and stated 200 rupee.  Very funny.
I went down to the hotel lobby and asked how I can get taxi or auto rickshaw to the mall.  Ankita assisted in downloading the app - OLA.  This app allows the person to call for a taxi and the fare is already established.  Ankita showed me how to use it.  I had a taxi coming to the hotel and it would be 103 rupee to bring me to the mall.  What a great adventure!  I am so excited.  I had the money ready, the taxi came and off I went.  Before leaving Ankita gave me her business card just in case I needed assistance to get back.

I was dropped off at the front entrance.  The palace was all lit up.  It was 6pm IST.  What a beautiful entrance.

Phoenix Mall entrance with the Palace lit up

I made it to the Mall.  I made it past the security checkpoint.  Oh by the way in Bangalore the Phoenix Mall stays open until 1030pm IST on a Sunday.  Can you believe it!  In the US the malls close on Sunday between 6 and 8pm. 

Starbucks was right in front of me.  I had to go in an get a HOT Black coffee.  I have the Starbucks Via coffee in my hotel room, but freshly brewed coffee!  The smell and taste is amazing.  I took the coffee and started to walk the mall.  There are 4 floors to the mall.  The mall was busy but not overly crowded.  People will not move.  I had to move around a single person or a group of people.  I was trying to walk on the left side to keep with the flow, but it did not matter.  People were walking 4 or 5 people across and they did not move.  I was trying to drink hot coffee and walk the mall.  It is difficult with people bumping into to you.  I had to stop and take a sip of coffee, then continue walking. 

I found a store Pantaloons.  I walked into the store and was stopped by the security guard.  He told me on coffee in the store.  This is new to me.  In the US there are no restrictions about food or drink.  I went out and continued to walk until I finished the coffee.  I did not want to rush the drinking of the coffee.  It was so delicious. 

Finally, I took the escalator down to the bottom level and found a book store.  I was in the book store for 40 minutes.  I always lose track of time when I enter a book store.  There were so many types of books.  There were American Classics to Cookbooks.  It was wonderful.  Just picking up a book and flipping through the pages.  The smell of a new book makes me so relaxed.  I know most read books on devices, but nothing can replace holding a book in your hands, flipping the pages and getting involved in the story.   I bought a book.  How could I not buy a book in a bookstore.  I was given 2 receipts.  I did not realize the security guard at the entrance would ask for one of the receipts.  Thank goodness I put both in the bag with the book.  I handed it to him and off I went.  There was a store that sold pearl necklaces.  There was one pearl necklace I liked.  I asked the cost 75,000 rupee.  The conversion rate is about 70 rupee to $1.  Converting it would be $1019.  This was out of my price range.  She got me into the store.  She began showing me all the different pearl necklaces and the prices.  I told her that I was only looking.  She told me that there is a lifetime guarantee.  I thanked her and walked out to investigate the rest of the mall.

I finally made it to the 4 level of the mall. It was a wonderful view. 

Phoenix Mall from the 4 level

I went back to the California Pizza Kitchen and sat outside on the patio.  It was a beautiful night.  There was live music playing below.  The food was delicious and the music was wonderful.  It was a great night.

I was able to book a taxi after 20 minutes of trying.  I was back at the hotel.  I had dinner and I was in my room relaxing.

Now to yesterday...Monday evening.  I was waiting for my taxi to get to the office.  It was late so I was late.  My stress level was high.  I hate being late.  I don't like not have control.

Today I created an Assessment Quiz.  I want to see if my training technique is working.  Everyone learns differently.  I need to know if the group are learning.  I hope so.  We will have another session.  It will be HL7 and hubs.  I love talking about both of these.

Until tomorrow.   The taxi is coming now.

Nandi Hills, Pakora! and Marketplace

I am unable to sleep at the moment so I will begin to write.

I forgot about my fly.  The fly disappeared after the "other" man cleaned my hotel room.  I don't know if the fly was killed or flew out on it's own power.  I have not seen the fly.
Thinking about flies...There are more flies than mosquitoes in Bangalore.  I prefer the Bangalore flies over the monster mosquitoes of Mumbai.

Shibin, Celina (his wife) and Nethra came to pick me up around 5am IST on Saturday.  We were heading to Nandi Hills.  On TripAdvisor Nandi Hills is one of the top ten places to see while in Bangalore.  Nandi Hills was the summer retreat for Tipu Sultan (1750-1799).  There are temples built during the Chola Dynasty between 3 century BCE through 13 century CE.  The attraction of Nandi Hills is the beautiful views.  The countryside was beautiful.  There are fields along the route.  There are coconut groves, corn fields and other agriculture.  There were a lot of cows tethered though.  They were not walking around freely.  This is good, because traffic.  It would cause even more problems.

The goal was to get to the top of Nandi Hills before to watch the sunrise.  Due to traffic we watched the sunrise will crawling at a snail's pace up the hill.  The road is 2 lanes but 3 to 4 lanes of cars, buses, auto rickshaws, motorcycles, bicycles were moving slowly but the winding road.  Again, this is a 2 lane road.  One lane to go up and one lane to come down.  If you were trying to come do before 7am IST, you would not make it.  Everyone was trying to get to the top to see the sunrise.  The air temperature is cooler as we climbed higher.  The people on the motorcycles and in auto rickshaws must have been cold if they were not wearing warm clothes.  BRRR!  As we were driving there was passenger videoing her ride on the back of a motorcycle.  There really was not much to see other than vehicles in front of us.  Thinking now, maybe she was video chatting with someone.  I would have been hold on the driver or anything on the back of a cycle.  I have not been on the back of a motorcycle since my Aunt Kathy had one on my grandparents' farm in Nebraska.  I remember it was fun riding on it with my Aunt Kathy on the country roads and in the fields.  I was only 8 or 9 years old think...

We were moving upward, than a gate went down.  We were stopped.  We were so close but yet so far.

The gate lifted and the motorcycles zoomed ahead of us, but we continued onward.  The view was more spectacular as climbed to the top.

We finally were at the entrance and guess what I saw!  A monkey was sitting on top of the ledge right in front of us.  A MONKEY.

Wild monkeys

Shibin did a great job with the traffic and hairpin turns climbing and climbing.  

Winding road

We finally made it - not to the top - but too an parking area.  Shibin was directed to go to the parking area.  He drove and found nothing.  We did see a hundreds of motorcycles parked.  

Motorcycle parking

There was a long line of people waiting to climb to the top.  I thought this was the top.  The top was still up.  After circling the full parking area, we continued to drive upward.  Then we stop again.  The gate to get to the top is down.  There was a taxi in front of us.  The man would not lift the gate.  There were vehicles piling up behind us.  The taxi handed the man some money, the gate lifted and Shibin stayed close behind the taxi before the gate came down.  We continue to climb up the hill.  The motorcycles that made it past the gate were passing us on the way up.  The higher we moved to the top the monkeys were everywhere.  They were sitting on the parked vehicles.

Monkey on a jeep

I was so excited.  Now I have seen a cow walking in the road and wild monkeys.  I wanted to see the first time I came to India.  The monkeys were amazing.  They were jumping in the trees, sitting along the rails and in the trees.

We made it to the TOP!  Shibin created a parking spot.  There were people everywhere.  There was a man shouting PAKORA! PAKORA! ONION PAKORA!  The smell was in the air.  Nethra, Celina, Shibin and I started walking to the area with the most beautiful views.  The air was crisp with a slight chill.  It remained me of Autumn in New England.  There were prayers being broadcasted over a loud speaker.  We made it down the steps and to the edge.  The view was amazing.  There was a light fog in the valley.  It looked so peaceful.  The simple beauty of Mother Nature.  One thing to remember - Do NOT lean on the guard rails.  They are not bolted down and you could be going down the hills the hard way!

Look at the views.  The fog was dancing across the valley below.  The blue sky started to appear to enhance the beauty below.  It was absolutely amazing.  There were hundreds of people, but I felt at peace at the top of Nandi Hills.  

Celina, Nethra, me, Shibin

After watching the monkeys and checking out the view, we were walking towards the car.  PAKORA! was being shouted.  Then I realized what was being said.  I love onion pakoras.  Shibin and Celina bought the freshly fried plate of pakora.  The smell of the spice and frying oil made my mouth water.  A fresh warm pakora is so delicious.  It was absolutely delicious.  Nethra and I sat in the backseat eating the onion pakora.  We did offer them to Celina and Shibin.  Nethra and I ate most of them.  I still can smell the oil and spices 2 days later.  

We were heading down and back to Bangalore.  After a short rest Celina, Shibin and I were off to the Marketplace in Bangalore to meet up with Preeti and her daughter, Kiara, for a little shopping.  The marketplace is lit up like Time Square in New York City.  There are lights, vehicles and people everywhere.  There is also a cow walking in the road as well.  The cow would not be in NYC.  There are so many stores and street vendors everywhere.  

One lesson is Preeti will not pay actual price for anything.  She bartered with every shop.  She has an amazing talent.  I did buy a few things.  There was a store with ELEPHANTS everywhere.  I had to go into the store.  It was an amazing place.  Thank goodness I do not live here or there would have been more than 1 elephant bought.  The elephant fits in my luggage.

It was amazing time.  I loved the whole experience.  We went out to eat.  The chicken was boneless.  It was delicious!  

I had a wonderful day and night.  I have to run to the office now.  More pictures to come.

What happens when the taxi is not starting?

The weather at 415am IST is 70 degrees F.  The weather is amazing in Bangalore.  It has been a week and the temperature stays between 70 and 80 degrees.

Let's begin Friday.  There was nothing eventful on the taxi ride into the office other than the taxi driver scolding me.  Why you ask he was scolding me!  The day before Shibin came to drive me to the office.  I had told the driver I was being picked.  I got into Shibin's car and we drove off.  He told me he waited for 1 hour.  This is a language barrier.

At the beginning of the shift there was a Pooja.  It is a prayer.  There was a Hindu Priest, incense burning and fire in the room in the office. It lasted about 30 minutes.  It was fascinating.  I was worried the fire alarm or sprinklers would be going off any minute.    Once the prayers were over it was time to get back to work.  This was the first time I experienced a Pooja at the office.

Shibin, Preeti and I went for "smoked" chicken.  What is smoked chicken?  It is grilled.  There was chicken that had a red outer coating.  It had a wonderful spice to it.  There was chicken with simple delicious flavor.  Then there was Butter Chicken.  We had butter and garlic naan as well.  Preeti did not understand why  I do not eat a lot of food.  I am very careful of the amount of protein eaten at each meal.  The naan was so yummy I was eating more naan then chicken.  Smoked chicken is on the top of my list.

Now it is the end of the 1st week.  I am in taxi #26.  Swati and I were in the backseat with a male employee (I did not get his name) and male employee in the front seat (again I did not get his name either).  The driver was trying to start the taxi. The taxi was not starting.  I thinking do we have to wait for another taxi.  Shibin, Celina and Nethra were going to be at the hotel at 430am IST to head to Nandi Hill.  Why is this happening?  The 2 employees who will remain nameless (since I don't know their names) jumped out of the taxi and started to push it. I have seen this in movies, but now I am living it.  The driver headed to the down ramp, the 2 guys are pushing and I am asking Swati will the brakes work and how will the 2 guys get back into the taxi if we are moving?  So many questions.  We are heading down the ramp.  The taxi has not started yet.  There are 2 taxis parked at the bottom of the ramp.  The 2 guys are still pushing.  "Oh Jesus Help us!" is what I said aloud.  Yes aloud.  The driver pressed on the brakes, the guys jumped into the taxi and off we went.  The taxi started.  I did not realize it because I was freaking out about the 2 taxis we were heading towards down the ramp.

We were off and heading towards Keys Hotel.  The road has been closed heading to the hotel so the taxi driver has been detoured to drive against the traffic.  Yes!  You have read this correctly.  The first rule on the roads of Bangalore is there are no rules.  We were heading toward the hotel driving on the wrong side of the road at 330am IST and a truck was parked across the road.  The taxi driver was honking.  (Honking in India is the natural way of communicating while driving.)  The driver continued honking.  The truck finally started to back up and head towards us.  The taxi backed up to give enough room for the truck to drive in the correct direction.  Off we were again.  I made it to the hotel.