Jun 30 - On my way home

Mon, Jun 30 - It's with mixed emotions that I post my final blog (for now) from Delhi. I have enjoyed this experience so much. Even though I miss my husband, family, friends and home very much, I am still very sad to leave. Thanks for sharing this exciting journey with me!

Jun 30 - Finally made it on time to church

Sun, Jun 30 - woohoo! Third times a charm! I actually made it to church 5 minutes early this week. Now that I've finally figured out how to get there on time I'm leaving. My counterpart, Jamie, arrived tonight and I leave for home tomorrow (Monday) night. I can't believe it's already over. Despite some of the "colorful" things I've seen here, I have loved this whole experience. I really hope I get to come back again and again. I have learned so much from being here. The people I've met have been so friendly and very kind. They've also been very tolerant of my attempts to speak Hindi, too! They want so much to make their country better. It's overwhelming to think of 1.2 BILLION people in one country. They have so much work to do on their government and infrastructure. Hopefully the Games will help them achieve those goals. I hope you've enjoyed my blog. I've liked doing it so much I'm going to keep it up, so watch for pictures of my adorable grandchildren from my upcoming trip to Utah.

Jun 28 - Some very interesting observations

My trip to Agra started early. The car was supposed to pick me up at 5am. They came at 4:30am. I quickly finished getting ready then met my driver and his two assistants. Didn't know it took that many people to get me to the train station. We got to the station an hour early. Sheesh! The two assistants kept me company and saw me safely on the train. As the train is moving along I'm watching out the window and seeing all these people squatting on the tracks and off the side of the tracks and I'm thinking, hmm, that's so odd and dangerous. Then I realize what everyone is doing as I notice all their pants are down around their ankles. Yes, it's true. Apparently the train tracks are India's version of a biffy (bathroom in forest for you) only it's right in the middle of everything and everyone can see everyone. Goes right along with not having missed a day of seeing a man taking a leak on the roadside.

I was supposed to get breakfast on the train, so when they brought me crackers and tea I thought, great, I'm going to starve. However, breakfast was brought about 30 minutes later - I got the "non-veg" (all the meals here are either "veg" or "non-veg.") The train ride was 2 hours, and I was met by three more people in Agra (a driver, a guide, and an assistant). I toured the Taj, Agra Fort and Baby Taj, as well as visited a rug factory, a marble in-lay factory, a jewelry store and a leather store. I also had lunch at a 5 star hotel, which was made more interesting when the restaurant flooded during the monsoon rains that had started up. However, the buffet was excellent. I tried a little bit of almost everything they had. I really like all the Indian food I've had, and that's been a lot! When I get tired of Indian food there's plenty of other options - McDonald's delivers here, as well as Domino's and Subway. I've even been to TGIFriday's and Ruby Tuesday, and had some good Chinese food, too.

The train ride home was supposed to leave at 8:30pm, but it was late and didn't leave until 9:30pm. While I was waiting for the train I watched a mother take her 3 yr old daughter over to the edge of the track, pull her pants down, and let her do her business. Even after all I'd seen on the train ride there that morning that was still a shocker!

When I finally got on the train I sat next to an adorable 5 yr old and her mom. She taught me to count 1 to 10 in Hindi and I taught her to count 1 to 10 in Spanish. She also sang me a very long song. Very cute and very well behaved. I got the "non-veg" dinner, which was very good - chicken curry, chana masala (garbanzo beans - really good), rice and nan (kind of like their version of a big tortilla). You're supposed to tear the nan (using only your right hand) and use it to pick up the other food. I've actually gotten pretty good at this.

I had to use the "facilities" on the train ride home. This was a "squat" not a "sit" experience with a hole that was open to the ground. The prior user had left a "long distance delivery" that missed the hole. Needless to say I balanced very carefully. Thankfully all went well - pun intended!

I was met by my same driver and two assistants from the morning run and had a very speedy ride home. After taking a wonderfully cleansing shower I collapsed into bed - very tired from my very full day.

Jun 28 - Baby Taj

Sat, Jun 28 - "Baby Taj" was actually built first. It's smaller, but very beautiful as well. The pictures are from the floor, ceiling and outside.

Jun 28 - After the rains

Sat, Jun 28 - The monsoons came while I was in Agra and practically shut the place down. The hotel where I had lunch flooded and there was over a foot of standing water on most of the roads. It made for a very interesting afternoon. Here's another video I shot while we were driving in the car - you can see how a lot of people live. Very very poor. Some unique things are that you can get your hair but by a sidewalk barber. They just set up a chair and a mirror and people some for haircuts. Costs about ten rupees (a quarter!).

Jun 28 - Agra Fort

Sat, Jun 28 - Here are some pictures of a huge fort built out of red sandstone and marble. This is where the shah who built the Taj in memory of his wife who died during childbirth was imprisoned by his oldest son because he was bankrupting the country. Very interesting and beautiful.

Jun 28 - Animals of Agra

Sat, Jun 28 - It's amazing how many ways you can get around in India - here are a couple of horse drawn carts and one by a camel, along with a herd of buffalo that were just wandering around the roads. I also saw an elephant and a monkey, not to mention many goats and cattle, but we went by too fast for me to take pictures. I really like the picture of my "kissing" chipmunks.

Jun 28 - The Taj Mahal

Sat, Jun 28 - The Taj Mahal - My visit to the Taj Mahal was everything I hoped it would be. So beautiful. Such wonderful detail with marble and stone in-lays. I can't put all the pictures I took here, so I just selected my favorites that give the best feeling for what I saw. Enjoy!

Jun 28 - I looked out my window and what did I see

Sat, Jun 28 - I shot this video while we were driving around. Certainly gives you a taste of life in India. It's like this everywhere I drive (well, I never do the driving, but I'm in the car!).

Jun 28 - Indian Lawn Mower

Sat, Jun 28 - I saw this while on my trip to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal. Classic!

Jun 23 - Another comment on how work is done

Mon, Jun 23 - First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!! I arrived at work today to see a man using what amounts to a large pair of scissors (edging shears) to cut the four grass plots outside our office - they're about 6x6 in size each. He pretty much took the whole day to do only one of the four plots. Amazing. Two of the guys needed the car and driver to visit a competition venue to see how the work was progressing. I was supposed to get a ride home with Bill. However, his car and driver failed to show up, so we had to take a tuk tuk the whole way home. A bit unnerving to be in one during rush hour, and of course the beggars had direct access when we stopped. One little boy folded his arms and laid his head down on my knee like he was praying as he begged me for money. I would have given him some but everyone says not to because it doesn't really go to the kids. It's kind of like Oliver Twist - all these kids work for some adult and they have to turn all the money over to him. In return he gives them a little food and protection. Very distressing.

Jun 22 - Made it to church, but not yet on time

Sun, Jun 22 - It only took one tuk-tuk and 30 minutes to get to church today, so I'm getting better at this. I can even say go (sounds like jello), left (sounds like bye) and right (sounds like die). I can also give my address of 218 (doe, eck, ought) and the address of the other company apartment 321 (tin, doe, eck). By the way, that's in Hindi! Everyone laughs at my "accent" but then I teach them spanish and they find it just as hard to pronounce. I did get better directions from a woman at church. They name housing areas here like they do in the south, so I live in Defence Colony and the church building (basically a house) is in Amar Colony. It is my hope that I actually make it on time next week (my last sunday) and that it's NOT raining!!

Jun 21 - Shop Til I Drop

Sat, Jun 21 - I went shopping at Kahn Market (mostly for ex-pats (non-indians)) and Lajpat Nagar marketplace today. Kahn Market is pretty small and very high-priced, but I found a great store last time I went there and just had to buy some things to bring home to family and friends. Lajpat Nagar is HUGE and very much a "local yokel" marketplace. It's like 4x the size of the big Costa Mesa swapmeet, totally crowded and it was about 100 degrees, so I was sweating profusely. However, I found some more wonderful things to bring home as gifts. In fact, I wish I had time to go back again - maybe next trip, if there is one. I've attached the video I took while I was waiting for my driver to pick me up after shopping. Thank goodness for cell phones, because it turned out I was waiting on the wrong side of the marketplace! What's really funny is that I didn't realize that I left the camera going. You can hear me call my driver, Pankaj, to try to figure out where he is, and you can see him come find me. Too funny! It's a few minutes long, so don't feel as if you have to watch the whole thing. Tuk tuks are the little yellow and green 3 wheeled golf cart looking vehicles.

Jun 20 - Friday Night and I Ain't Got Nobody

Fri, Jun 20 - Once again I am all alone for the weekend, but I've got plans to go shopping tomorrow. Our driver is going to take me around to some "local" shopping places. I can't believe I've only got one more weekend after this and only one more week of work here. I'm spending next Saturday taking the Taj express railway from Delhi to the Taj Mahal and some other places in that area - the Red Fort in Agra with the beautiful Pearl Mosque and Fatehpursikri, a city that turned into a ghost town when all the water inexplicably dried up.

I wanted to show you how they do construction work here. This is the building right next to ours that I can see out my bedroom window. They knock buildings of all sizes down with a 5 - 10 pound hammer and a big chisel - seriously. No wrecking balls; no bull dozers. Just a bunch of men. Again, there is no urgency to improve efficiency because there are many people who need work.

There's also a picture of our "apartment size" fridge, and the door/window locks. Here the screen is on the inside, the glass is on the outside, and both sets have these locks top and bottom. I quite like them! We had a big storm yesterday and today. It's not raining quite as much as predicted, but when it comes down it REALLY pours!!

Jun 16 - On the other hand

Mon, Jun 16 - If you recall, in an earlier post I mentioned that I felt like I was the only person who used TP. I found out today at lunch that is a fact. How can that be, you may well ask? Well, without getting too graphic, the right hand is for eating, and the left hand is for cleaning. Puts a whole new meaning on "sitting on the right hand." There are faucets and cups in each bathroom and these are used to help with the cleaning process. Really quite "refreshing" when you think about it. However, there is nothing with which to dry oneself, so I remain somewhat mystified by the entire process. I do know that you don't want to EVER shake hands as a lefty!

Jun 15 - Get me to the church on time!

Sun, Jun 15 - The monsoon rains were storming heavily when I left the apartment to find a tuk-tuk (autorickshaw) to take me to church. Usually they are all over the place, swarming you, begging you to "let me give you a ride somehow." Could I find one to get me to church? NO! So I went to the next best thing, a pedal rickshaw. The guy was half my size, couldn't read or speak English, and apparently couldn't locate the church after 40 minutes. After paying him 50rs for his troubles (almost double the usual, and he didn't even get me there, but hey, he pedaled in earnest for 40 minutes - FYI 50 rupees is about $1.25), I left him and got into a tuk-tuk that he had stopped by to ask for advice. This guy took another 20 minutes to find the place, and then tried to tell me it was more expensive in this part of town - so he wanted 100rs. By this time I was completely soaked to the skin - no kidding - I could have wrung the water out of my skirt - so I paid him his $2.50 and made it to church in time to hear the speakers in Sacrament and go to SS and RS. SS was taught by a U.S. "older couple" missionary guy, and RS was mostly in Hindi, but I had the manual to follow along in. The trip home only took 7 minutes and 50rs. Next week I'm calling a taxi...and making sure they know how to get there!!

Jun 13 - Cooking with Gas

Friday, June 13 - The rains have started. The monsoon weather is predicted to start earlier this year, so I guess I'll be able to experience some of it. I did come prepared with umbrella and raincoat. It's not cold. Just wet.

Today I cooked my first meal - yep, scrambled eggs. This might not seem like much, but take a look at the stove/oven. Yes, that is a propane tank attached to it. There are no gas lines here, so any appliance that needs gas has it's own propane tank. And I had to find the matches to light the burner. Not hard, but not expected, either!

Still struggling with my "Delhi Belly" as they call it here, but the medicine is helping.

Jun 12 - The Doctor Makes a House Call

So, even though I'm feeling better, I'm still having "issues." I do believe a Delhi "bug" decided I would make a great host, but my body keeps trying to evict it, without any luck. Since it's been 4 days now I felt it was time to call in the Doctor--who made a house call for the grand sum of $25. My medicine was only $1.25. Such a deal! And no billing of the insurance, etc. You just pay in cash (1,050 rupees) at the time. Insurance here doesn't cover "regular" doctor office visits, only hospitalization. I have high hopes I will have said goodbye to this bug soon. Meanwhile, some more random thoughts:


-Apparently I'm the only one who really wants/needs TP as we are down to one roll shared between the men's and women's rooms on my floor at work. I'm bringing in my own roll!


-The cleaning crew sweeps the carpet with twig brooms. I don't feel it's very effective. There's 5 or 6 people who work in the office who are simply there to do things for everyone - turn on the lights, bring them coffee or tea from the machine that's 50 feet away, etc. The theory is there are so many people here that they try to find enough work for everyone by hiring people to do minutiae. It's a very weird concept for someone like me who's been a VP and Director and didn't even have my own secretary.

Jun 11 - Random Observations

Wed, Jun 11 - So, I'm feeling very much better now, thank you! Almost back to normal. As I've read the comments I figured I'd reply to them all at once in a posting, rather than individually.

- the thing over the toilet is the hot water heater for my bath room. Yep, I get really hot water really fast - much better than in my home in Oceanside, which takes about 3 minutes to get the hot water going to the shower!

- I am definitely staying in a very nice place. There are three "en suite" rooms here, with a shared family room, dining room and kitchen. We even have our own dishwasher and washing machine (no dryer though). True luxury. On top of that, our houseboy comes every day to bring us fresh towels, make the bed, clean the kitchen, and change the sheets 2-3 times per week. Unfortunately, he doesn't mop the floors! I always wear either "peds" or shoes. You should see my peds (footie socks) when I take them off after only wearing them for a couple of hours at home. Virtually black on the bottom. However, I have already done a load of whites and they came out clean.

-Yes, it's true, there are cows wandering all over the place. They are still considered holy animals in India. In fact, you can't eat beef anywhere here. Even McDonald's only sells chicken and veggie burgers. The cows tend to stay in "their" place, so we see the same ones every day as we drive to and from work.

-I've seen a man urinating by the side of the road at least once a day since I've been here, usually when I'm driving to and from work (we have a car and a driver - more on that later). Apparently some men think it's quite all right to just whip it out and pee against whatever wall/tree/edifice is handy at the time. Thankfully I haven't seen anything "graphic" yet!

-I can't even explain to you about the driving, even with a car and a driver. Ours is a really good one, too. Hardly honks his hown at all, which in Delhi is considered somewhat of a national sport. It's kind of like, "honk, honk - get out of my way," "honk, honk - just want to let you know I'm here," "honk, honk - go ahead in front of me." The lines in the road are the mearest of suggestions as to where people should be driving their cars, up to an including which direction they should be going. I heard that 80,000 people die each year in traffic accidents. However, when your population is over 1 Billion people that's hardly even statistically significant!! Harsh, but true, which is why no one changes their behavior. You can be sure I will never drive a car here!!

Jun 10 - Getting better

Tue, Jun 10 - Made it through yesterday even though I felt horrible. However, I was definitely feeling better and actually had a great night's sleep. Had a good day at work, and ordered my first real Indian cuisine from a restaurant who then delivered it to me. Judging by how much they gave me and how much I ate the food will last at least a week! Feeling much better now, but not fully recovered. Sure hope I don't pay for enjoying this wonderful meal!!

Jun 9 - Still sick

Mon, Jun 9 - Theo and Mick left for Pune today and I won't see them again. They were very nice to me and I enjoyed getting to know them. I'm still feeling quite ill, but better than last night. Sure hope I'm over this intense intestinal distress by tomorrow! If not, I'll call the doctor - they make house calls here!!

Jun 8 - Sites of Delhi

Sun, Jun 8 - Theo and Mick invited me to go with them to visit some of the temples in the city, so I got dressed to go to church (just not my church!). We went to the Baha'i House of Worship, more commonly called the Lotus temple; the Red Fort, a former Imperial citadel; the India Gate, their monument to the the soldier who died in WWI; and Lodi Gardens, one of Delhi's most picturesque parks. It was hot, hot, hot, and somewhere along the way I ate or drank something that didn't agree with me, so I spent the entire night on the porcelain throne.