DAY 9: So tonight was movie night. Bollywood or Hollywood? I decided on Bollywood, and based on the driver’s recommendation, I went and saw Housefull 2 (poster in the middle above) which was in Hindi. I was afraid I would not understand what was going on, but I ended up doing pretty well and laughing …
DAY 8: People seem to be quite friendly and polite around here. Everyone opens doors for me, smiles, says hello, waves goodbye, you get the picture. In my office, this nice lady comes by several times a day, brings me bottled water (which I have to double check, since she sometimes re-fills the empty ones …
DAY 7: My co-workers took me to a very nice “veg” restaurant next to the office today. The food was absolutely amazing, specially the Dal (I didn’t know vegetarian food could taste this good!). After lunch, we stopped at a street vendor, where they bought me Paan. No, this was not the ones with tobacco, …
DAY 6: I was tired of having such a nice kitchen with nothing in it, so I decided to go grocery shopping. The regular evening driver, whose shift was 5 minutes from ending, took me to the nearby “Spar Hypermarket“. I walked back and was almost chased by the local dogs, which are apparently harmless, …
DAY 5: You’re wondering what those things are? I had the same question. Being Persian and all, my first hunch was that they are a form of Samovar. But my co-worker kindly informed me that they are actually hand-wash stations! Yup, these are located on the rooftop at work, where staff can wash their hands …
DAY 4: Welcome to the GLTi office. Apparently there is a tradition to have all new visitors wear the traditional turban, decorate the centre of the forehead with Bindi, wave a specially held ceremonial candle in front, and a take picture. Your picture is then printed, framed and given to you as a souvenir. Niice! …
DAY 3: Yes, I arrived safe and sound in Pune and checked into my “serviced” apartment. This is the view of the front yard, from my balcony. Beautifully groomed, with a nice little pond in some units. Wondering what the adjacent lots look like? Think “Slum Dog Millionaire”. I will save that picture for another …
DAY 2: I have stayed at many a Courtyard by Marriott hotels in my travels. This one in Gurgaon, just outside of Delhi, definitely surprised me with its designer high end interior decor, making me feel right at home :) Oh, and the owner just happened to have his annual bash that night! What a …
DAY 1: It is always nice to be sent off on a journey by familiar faces. Two of my best friends, Glyn and Sebastien, came to see me off, had lunch and wished me farewell at the Vancouver airport. अलविदा, Vancouver! Hello भारत.
They say a picture is worth more than a thousand words. I say sure, but it also helps lazy people do less work. Perhaps. As I was getting ready to embark on my month long journey to India, I was asked by family and friends if I would be sending email updates, or will have …