Prayers in a Taxi!

Weather report - 77 degrees F overcast with some sun.  (This is for Sophia!)

It was like the first day in a new school.  Getting picked up in a taxi and driving to the workplace.  I went to the correct floor - Thank goodness.  Kiran from Admin met me in the front.  I was handed my Guest Badge.  Kiran and crew were wonderful.  They brought me to an office area and set me up with Cisco phone and set up my laptop to get access to the wifi.  No one from the Integration Project Management (IPM) team was not in yet.  I was early.  I was given a tour of the 2 floors.  The work space is amazing.  There are so many couches, booths and other areas to relax and make calls.  The training rooms are stadium seating.  This is perfect for training. There is dining room on each floor.  I was told only vegetarian cuisine is served.  On Fridays there is a chicken dish.  The tour was finished and IPMs were coming...

Now the fun begins trying to remember all the names and faces!

You know how it feels on the first day of school or work...All new faces and names. Everyone was coming up to me shaking hands and telling me their names.  I only remembered a few names, but I am getting better.   I knew some by voice because I have worked with them.  Shibin is one of the Team Leads and a friend who has been to my home 3 years ago had arrived.  Avinash K (there is MY Avinash in Mumbai my partner.  This is why I have typed K.) is the other Team Lead.  Once he started talking I knew who he was.  His voice matches him perfectly.  Param came in and said Hi to me.  We have been working together on a project.  She is the same age as my daughter, Erika.  I have met everyone but Nethra.  She was off, but I will meet her today.  I will have more to say about each person as I get to know them.

Back to the office situation...I told Shibin that I am not one to sit in an office.  I want to sit with the team.  I was moved to desk with Nitesh Gunda (or Gunda Nitesh).  Gunda means Hitman!  So funny.  I moved to the desk and SILENCE!  All I hear was typing.  TYPE TYPE TYPE It reminded me of Radhika.  All you hear is the same thing TYPE TYPE TYPE. People who know me know I am not a quiet person.  The first day everyone was looking at me.  How was this going to be.

Then at 730pm IST (minus 9 1/2 hours for EST time) the group went out for Chai.  I never had Chai.  It is a high caffeine hot tea.  I drank only half of the small cup.  My heart started racing.  The caffeine hit me.  I was awake and wow!  My mind was racing!  I could not focus!  I know now Chai may not be the best drink for me.  I will stick with black coffee.  All the IPMs went outside to a little restaurant called Best to get the Chai.  It was a beautiful night. There was a light wind and the temperature was perfect.

As the work day continued, dinner was finished.  I had brought a treat for the team.  The Colonial Candy was finally opened for the team.  They started coming and chatting with me.  The ice has been broken.  The team was relaxing with me.  I had moved many times in my childhood.  I know the feeling of trying to fit in with the group.  We started laughing and talking.  It was a great first day!

Have you ever said more than 10 prayers in less than 30 seconds?

I was so excited about taking a taxi with other IPMs (I hope they do not get upset with me, but I cannot remember all the names.)  We jumped into the taxi.  I could not sit in the front (rules!).  I told the guys I do not sit in the middle of a backseat.  Off we went!

Being a passenger in a taxi in Bangalore is not good if you have a weak heart.  We left the parking garage and were on the rode.  Cars, trucks, motorcycles and people were coming from all directions.  The taxi driver was weaving his way through traffic at 330am IST.  Then I realized we were driving in the wrong direction!  Yes - the 3 lanes of headlights were coming towards us!  Lights were flashing! Horns were honking!  The guys were telling me this is the fastest way to the hotel.  Oh my goodness!   Then all of a sudden we were back to being on the right side of the rode going with the traffic.  Poof!  We were at the hotel.  It was very quick ride back to the hotel, but what a way to get to the hotel.

At least 10 Hail Mary's and a few "Dear God watch over us." were said during this short ride.  It was a great adventure for the end of the first day.

I had food delivered to my room by 430am IST.  It was Dal.  It is very high in protein.  It was delicious.  I relaxed and continued working for a little while and off to sleep.

Getting ready for the 2nd day!

I went to lunch and came back to Sharanappa cleaning my room.  He made 2 peacocks out of towels.  He is a very creative man.

I feel like I am on a cruise ship.

Now I am at work.  Need to begin the 2nd day!  Let's see if the taxi ride back to the hotel will be as exciting.