India Trip Feb-April 2006

Well, I'm here!

Thanks for looking/reading about my trip.
A great big hello to everyone!
I took some pictures today of my room and around the hotel and pool area. I'm not sure how they will post or how many, so will post what I can.

So far it has been interesting to say the least! the plane trip was long (as I knew it would be), but pretty uneventful and smooth. I was disappointed that I didn't get to get off of plane in Paris...but I was there! It seemed everytime I turned around they were bringing food. I managed to doze a little off and on. Read a couple books, magazines (thanks Kath), and even did a couple word puzzles!

I left Seattle early Wed morning, and I got here early Friday morning, slept for a bit and Mittal and Jetesh from Datamatics picked me to take me to the office. It is about 15-20 minutes from the hotel. I had heard about the traffic...but was completely surprised (and must say I have to almost close my eyes while driving). There is no rhyme or reason to how they drive - they just go wherever they want, cut people off and there aren't any traffic lights or even lanes! And on top of that, there are people skirting in and out of the traffic right in front of cars, bikes and 3 wheel carts. Guys driving bikes with no helmets mostly and even saw some talking on cell phones while maneuvering through the chaos. I will never complain about traffic or even the drivers that drive me crazy in Seattle!

I was able to meet several of the team members that work on processing taxes, and discussed how the processes and procedures work. I will learn more tomorrow - my first full day. I'm sure this first week will just be mostly learning and gathering information. They were doing an update on the software today...and they didn't call, so I'm assuming that went well. We shall see in the morning.

They took me out to dinner Friday, so I have tried a few different Indian dishes now. But mainly in the hotel...I have stuck with more American.

I went swimming yesterday evening; and walked around the grounds of the hotel I was going to venture out some, but it didn't appear that much is around the hotel to see. As I get more comfortable with the surroundings - I will probably do that.

I lost my work email just before leaving the office on Tuesday...still don't have it working yet, so that is my next task. But I did get my speakers for the laptop working!

Oh, and as nice as the hotel is...they charge extra for the internet access! Mittal thought is should be included, so will check on that tomorrow. I had to buy a couple days worth so I could have access to family after getting here. Also, my cell phone I thought T-Mobile said was set up and would work fine here...of course has no network connections! Pisses me off, but nothing I can do! I can't even call to find out why. And to top it off, the cell phone that the company had here for me doesn't have any minutes on it until tomorrow... so I hate to think what the hotel charges...but I had to call home a couple times (sorry Mark)!

I have been both tired and wide awake at different times of day and night, but hopefully can sleep good tonight so I am refreshed in the morning for work.

I met and talked with an artist they have here displaying her art (duh)...I have fallen in love with it! Would love to bring a painting home with me...but even with the exchange rate - I'm afraid it is out of my price range.

Well...not a whole lot more to say. But I miss everyone, and will try to post a little something each day.

Love you all!
Denise

posted by Unknown @ 3:56 AM