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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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