Where will I be next Tuesday?

This is the first post in 2 weeks when I was actually updating my blog even twice a day for a while. Yes, I’m not that much of a freak now. Things have been busy as I am trying to do many things with almost no access to the internets (yes they are plural).

A couple of weeks ago I went to Hyderabad and the best was getting to sleep on a very comfy bed (real mattresses are nice) and the worst was getting licked by a man when entering a monument. No I'm not kidding... it was his tongue on my shoulder.

These past two weeks have been insane at work because the internet in our office here has been down, up for two days during which the VPN in the US office was down (which means I could not connect or do any work) and then after getting the VPN fixed I was informed by the IT people that our wireless in the office here was completely down again (but this time it meant that they were not fixing it). Betsy is fighting with them to see if we can get set up but of course they won’t do it quickly. Everything has to take two weeks to get done. In the meantime I'm working from home (when the power cuts allow me to).

Why am I getting into so many details? Well.., these two weeks I've done a lot of thinking. And it has come to two options: 1. I stay and live the cultural experience while doing some traveling and prove that I can face the many many challenges I’ve faced while being here OR 2. I decide for my job and make a move where I have the infrastructure and stability I need to fulfill my responsibilities (which means not leaving Paul with the weight of them and sacrifice his sanity). If you guys know me you know I chose number two.

I will be leaving India as soon as possible… probably will make it to Venezuela within the next week (granted I get an appointment with the US embassy there). If not, I will be going somewhere in Europe. If these options fail, I have an appointment with the embassy in India at the end of August but then I’ll think about moving to a resort in the South while I wait. That’s it… I only have 3 continents to choose from (unless someone tells me they have someone in Australia that wants to help me).

I’ll update everyone soon once I know where I will be next Tuesday.

Being Thrown Off A Rickshaw: CHECK

OK... got the checkmark on that one.

Ben and I were on a rickshaw when i see a motorcycle coming on the left but did not see the bike on the right when trying to get away from the former we crash with the latter and next thing I feel is the ground under me. Yeap... hand and ankle got the hit... but the first thing i checked was my laptop of course. No damage there. I turned left and Ben had been thrown off too. I knew that the thing hadn't been the typical thing of a foreigner being thrown off a rickshaw when nobody around us laughed.

We are both fine. Now definitely remembering it as yet another experience in India.

Btw.. this was the same rickshaw driver from "ten points if you take that man down" (see below). I guess he got 50 points for this one.

Hyderabad Here I Come... and There Comes My Money!

So after some very tough weeks I get to take a break and travel. There is a board meeting this weekend (on a boat btw.. I'll even make the finance update to get on that boat... no Betsy, I'm not serious) and I'm tagging along. I will be away from Friday afternoon through Sunday. No idea what I'll be doing there but who cares!!!!!!! What matters is that I'll be away from Gurgaon for more than 60 hours.... 60 long hours. I simply can't wait.

AND... it seems like I'll finally get paid this week... two months of draining my savings and my brother.. but finally I get my own money (monkey money ma'am monkey money!). I'll def be doing some traveling. What's the point of taking rupees back to the US? Now I just need to convince some people that I need 30 days of vacation... anyone have some really good convincing tactics (torturing is not accepted as I am not in the same geographical location)? If you know who I work with blackmailing information is welcome.

Welcome to India, Sucker!

A week ago we got a new addition to the family. Our pimp Ben is here!

Once again I learn not to say good-bye. At a conference in South Carolina earlier this year I had said bye to Ben as he was going back to the UK. I didn't know I was going to see him again, so soon and in India. Pretty cool ah?

Betsy is super excited to have someone else to help her take the orgainzation to the next level and I'm super happy to have two cool cubicle neighbors that will make my days brighter. And to be honest, Betsy and I are also excited because we have a guy that will accompany us in the streets (pimp). You have no idea how important it is here for girls to not walk around by themselves, especially at night. So sorry Ben but get ready to be used!

Ben, welcome to India! The beginnings are hard but you are in for an experience!

Ten points if you take that man down

Score!!!!
A man backed up into our rickshaw yesterday, the rickshaw took him down and the back wheel went over him. Him and the driver almost got into a fight with us in the middle but at last we just kept going. The man seemed fine but I bet he woke up with a sore behind.

Reverse Cultural Shock

While in India?

I called the US Embassy to get some help and I was greeted by a "Hello".. hello!!!!!!. When I asked the lady "how are you?" she actually responded: "I am fine ma'am, how are you?". Did she just ask me how I was? Then.. the most surprising thing happened. When I told what I was calling about she was able to find what the problem was. Not only that, she gave me a solution. And it took her a total of 10 seconds! TEN SECONDS! That's efficiency. The US Embassy definitely has its employees under US policies.

Cultural Shock

I've been meaning to write this post for a while but hadn't gotten around to.

Here are a few things that have been different from what I am used to:

Men holding hands (fingers laced). It's really normal for friends to walk around holding hands. Even brothers and sisters. I guess it's the only human contact they get before getting married.

Dress code for women. A different perspective. You should not show your shoulders but the tummy is fine. For me the waist and belly are far more sensual than the shoulders. Totally the opposite here. No spaguetti straps but go ahead and wear the shirt just below your chest. Oh and show your whole back as well.

Cows in the street. They are more respected than people and will not get killed by a car (we would be)

Marriages and the treatment of women. I can't definitely write all about this so reading other sources is best. I just know that I am far too liberal to accept those conditions.

Language. Before coming people told me everyone spoke English. Yes at the work place. But not on your everyday life. To get anything done here I have had to have other friends help since I don't speak Hindi. Great dependence there!

The shock is not as great now. Definitely getting used to the surroundings.

Better Times

I got many comments, emails, messages, etc from friends and family encouraging me. It's so rewarding to feel support of those around me (and those a little farther from me). Thank y'all (yes I'm still from Texas)!

I almost slapped myself last week. I needed to see the great opportunity I have here and stop complaining. And it seems like I did. I definitely had a good weekend. I relaxed. Yes I actually did! I got some work done, watched movies, went grocery shopping, talked to family for a long time, caught up with an old roommate, got a package from the US (with lots of lady stuff I can't find here... thanks Nata!) and a sweet bday card (a bit delayed).

Today is a good day... I finally tracked down the Venezuelan Embassy (not getting deported yet) and will be getting my new passport soon. I'm having a fairly productive work day (which Paul will appreaciate) and should be looking into some trips (to the South!) in the coming weekends.

I can't strech myself too thin. I need to go through challenges, enjoy them and learn from them. Nothing new but it has taken a lot to really get there.

Enough of boring entries... hopefully I will have some more adventures (that don't involve flooding) and will be writing about those soon. Stay tunned!

Highlights of my July 5th

- Venezuela's Independence Day
- Wake up with a pool of water running down by my bed (yes again)
- Get to work.. positive thinking... productive day in mind... Adapter is not attached to my computer charger... arrrgghhhh frustration. Need to get back home. Pick it up. Back to the office. Rs. 300 later I have my adapter.
- Ready to dive into another BankRec when I realize that the server crash a few weeks ago actually deleted that as well. Around 25 hours of work added to my loss. Gotta start all over again!

But then.. good stuff:
- Had quite a productive day
- Got dinner from Moets (wonderful Cherry Honey Chicken)
- Watched a movie with the awesome roommates.

I have been wondering if I should go back home. I'm craving some stability that seems to be slipping away from me here. But I just need to be patient and strive for it! Things feel a lot better today. I am in India!! I might as well enjoy it right?

Waterfalls inside

No, I'm not talking about how I'm feeling. I'm literally talking about waterfalls inside our aptarment... the water flooding our second floor last night. I head upstairs with my warm dinner in my hands and what do i see? water in the hallway. "oh oh i think.. it's been raining for like 5 minutes". Well that was enough for a stream of water to come in through my balcony and reach all the way to my roommate's room and the bathroom. Water was up to 2in high by my room.


A friend's call, a plumber and Rs. 500 later we are all good. We are up to the test as it seems like it will be rain lots again tonight.

Highlights of the event:
1. Opening my balcony door and water rushing in as a waterfall. It felt good on my feet for sure.
2. After all is settled I want to close the shutters so I can turn on the AC. I open the screen door when around 100 bugs fly into my room! I locked my room and ran screaming. Checked this morning and they were all dead on the floor. I should have taken a picture of that!

Phase II

Monday:

- At home. Power failure… my computer dies while doing work

- I have a meeting. I need to take a rickshaw to a place where there is reliable infrastructure (office). None anywhere close. I find one. He says no. I want to kick him (violence sign). Ok look for another one. He says yes! Get on. Slow. Very slow. It would have been faster to run to the office. Rush downstairs to my cubicle. Set up my computer. No internet.

- Two hours later. Still no internet. Read a book. Finish Kite Runner (thanks Jen)

- Finally internet gets back on. Try to get some work done.

- After 11 hours at the office I leave

- Get home. Outside door is locked. Problem: I have no key. Call the roommates. One is in Delhi. The other one is gone to a dinner far far away. Picture: I’m standing outside, ants everywhere, it’s getting dark, men passing by are just starring, no book (see pt about finishing Kite Runner earlier in the day), and no water in the heat.

- I’m going to freak out. Neighbor comes out. She has a key. She opens the door for me.

- I’m safely inside after 45 min of getting home.

- Dinner time, leftovers time. Leftovers have gone bad (power cuts 3 times a days don’t help keep food fresh). Creative time.

- Turn stove on= heat. Sweat. Turn fans on. Still sweat as if I was in the shower.

- The poor puppy has diarrhea.

- Go to my room. Work some more.

- Call and surprise the team during a call. Power cut. Computer dies. Dropped call.

- Try to go to sleep. Still no electricity. No electricity = no AC, no fan. Hot. Very hot. I want to read. Too dark. Try to fall sleep again. Too hot. Power is back. Finally sleep.

- The day is over.

To me these used to be small things. Not anymore. These things make my eyes water. They make me wonder if I am indeed the strong person I believed myself to be. These are signs of the second phase of cultural shock: you can’t complete small tasks and you are too hard on yourself.

It’s official… phase II started last week. The honeymoon stage is gone after only 10 days.

I feel like I’m losing focus. Apparently it’s really easy here. But things are coming together. It just takes time. Now it’s all about being patient and letting these experiences change me for the better.

Bhaia Right Jao?

Some people have asked me what that means and why I named my blog that.
It means "Brother right turn". It was the first thing I learned here: giving directions to a rickshaw driver.
It being the first thing makes it special. But I also thought that this experience was also a huge turn in my life. An unexpected one. I never imagined I would spend almost 4 months in India. It was also a decision. But one in another direction. Now all i need to figure out is if this turn was the right one to make.