I decided to not set my alarm, I figured there was no way I would sleep all day. I was wrong. I was woken up by the front desk at 3pm, calling me to let me know that my car was there. After a quick shower (I really needed another one) I found the car and found out that he didn't know where I was to go. After a good laugh and a phone call to find out, we were on our way.
The city is insane. There are two lanes of traffic, but you would think it was 4 the way people were driving. Tons of motorcycles, scooters and cycletaxis that weave between cars. Everyone sits on their horns, the constant background to the streets. It turns out were were going the wrong way (someone called the driver) and we turned around. There are no street signs (that I have noticed yet at least) just buildings that I can't quite tell if they are being built or torn down. Goats, wild dogs and even a bull are wandering the streets. And people. Lots of people. Many of them just sitting there, and a few with their hands out or selling things. There are street vendors selling limes and mangoes every block. I will try to take some video of one of the rides in the new future.
I arrive to the office, which looks like a store (selling sony products). The driver mumbles something about 2nd floor up, so I walk past a few people staring at me. This has been a very common thing so far - not sure if I'm handsome, ugly or just really white that is captivating all these people, but I've been stared out quite a bit, starting in Dubai (by someone Indian) I walk up the steps and find a door for Answerthink (India) Inc. with a sign:
I guess it's good they know I'm coming? It's pretty easy to spot me, and my contact to the office Ravi, meets me at the door. He introduces me to the Director of the GDC (Global Development Center) Satya, and then shows me to the confenance room where I will be sitting today. I also meet two people that work for me, Vijay and Sirinivas. Sirinivas' last day with the company was today - a mutual parting on our parts... AWKWARD. He was a really nice guy, and it's too bad that it didn't work out. A little while later Vaibhav arrives with sweets in tow and then after a short time takes me around to meet everyone in the office.
Over the next 10-15 minutes, I meet 60-70 people. Some I have known (via email only) and others I have no idea about. Everyone was very friendly. I am glad that I don't need to do that part again on Monday, and can focus on getting down to business on Monday.
After a while in the office, we decide that getting a drink was the best thing to do. Ravi works most days from 9am-9pm. I was getting him to cut our early around 8pm (since I was very tired and wanted to leave around 7) He took Vaibhav (from now on known here as V) and myself to this little hole in the wall called the Blues Lounge Bar.
I have no idea how a place like this would be found. It's only landmark is a baskin robbins shack below it. Inside was a cricket match on a HDTV and some tables and couches. We order a few drinks and settle down to talk. Ravi is older (has an 11 year old daughter) and very wise to the world. We had great conversation about life, america, parenting and politics. The food was great - we ate mostly chicken and everything was spicy. I did notice after a while that there were no women in the place at all. V told me it was due to the fact that men don't want other people to see their girlfriends and they didn't want to see their wifes.
It was a really good time. I'm not back at my hotel, about to goto sleep. Tomorrow I wake up, and V is picking me up to head to the airport around 10am. We are going to Goa. Not sure if i will have internet in the resort we are staying at or not. This should be interesting. Ravi and V told me of a special Goa drink that cannot be exported from there. It apparently gets you very high very fast (but doesn't last long) I'm sure you can imagine that I'm intrigued.
More updates when I can.
