Cows

I've spoken before about the streets of Mumbai and I've noticed that sometimes cows are left to wander. I asked my colleague why and was told that small dairies own a cow to milk. They are not tethered or placed in a secure place and they go where they please. Apparantly they know where home is and don't wander far and their owner can always track it down. To India's millions of Hindus, the cow is a holy animal that cannot be harmed so the cow is perfectly safe. No-one seems to bother much or attempt to stop the cow from eating food from stalls or even resting in the middle of the road.

Today is my final day of work here and the atmosphere in my training room is one of excitement. Hopefully not because they won't see me anymore but their new roles will begin! I must say that I will miss them very much and have grown fond of them all.

Tomorrow I am going to catch up on some rest before my two flights and the long haul home.

The weather

I've already mentioned that the weather is extremely warm here even if the sun isn't shining. The rains are officially over and they don't expect to see any 'proper' rain until the next monsoon. On Monday the weather caught everyone out; it poured all day. It was a bit like Britain being caught out by snow. It threw everyone into chaos. The roads (which have a few pot-holes!) filled with water and the traffic ground to a practical halt. I was blissfully aware of this because I was collected by car (which parked under the hotel entrance canopy) and taken to the office and dropped off in the underground carpark. I had 'just' missed the traffic jams on the roads.

So, there I was at work, with just one other person in the training room, waiting for people to arrive. They arrived in dribs and drabs and were soaked to the skin. Everyone turned up but the training room was draped with clothing that was drying out. I've never trained bare-footed people before!

In England if we have several days of hot weather we can guarantee that we'll have a storm that will clear the air. End of summer? Here in India the rain did bring the temperature down. However, the day after it was back to being scorching hot.

Another full day

Today was a day off. Nadir and I visited a Roman Catholic Church, Mount Saint Mary. The Mumbai traffic meant that we missed the service but I did manage some quiet time there. Outside was very interesting because there were some steps leading to a statue of the Virgin Mary and in front of it was a fire burning with what looked like candles. There were some stalls selling goods and I noticed that many of them were selling what looked like white wax figures, just like the burning 'candles'. It seems that the wax is made to represent things you need to pray for like parts of the body, or money (if you have problems) or houses. See photo.

Seetha joined us and we had a very pleasant lunch with terrific views of the water. Afterwards we went to the Gateway of India to catch a boat to Elephanta Island. Another trainer, Gita joined us. She was very knowledgable and gave me lots of history and information. We caught a small train to take us to the entrance and then started making our way up lots of steps. The heat was intense and we were rather hot and sticky! There were wild monkeys everywhere and they were very bold and snatched Gita's bottle of pop.The caves themselves were fascinating and date back 2,000 years. The island is named after the life-size stone elephant that was found there. The carvings in the rock take some believing as they were carved without modern-day tools and are enormous. I tried some of the stall food which I can't remember the name of (I may edit this later when I have the name) which was very nice. I tried some sliced under-ripe mango sprinkled with spices but it was a bit sharp for my taste.

As usual, my trainer friends looked after me so well and the day was brilliant.

Thali and Indian pancake

Last night (Friday) I was taken to a very nice restaurant where I experience a Thali meal. We were welcomed and a tikka mark was made on our foreheads. The waiters were all dressed in traditional dress and we were taken to a table where each place setting was laid out with an empty tray containing lots of small bowls. A waiter came around carrying a bowl and a pitcher of warm water where we each washed our hands. Then we were 'bombarded' with dish after dish of differents dishes which were placed in the small bowls - all vegetarian. The waiters seemed non-stop as they kept bring different breads and re-fills. The food was delicious and Seetha, Sharin, Nadir (my trainer colleagues) and myself had a really good time.

This morning I was pleased that my alarm didn't go off at 6am and I was able to have a leisurely breakfast in the hotel restaurant. I've mentioned before that the waiters are looking after me and they seem really pleased when I try the food that they suggest. This morning they suggested that I try an Indian pancake. They look enormous because they are crispy and rolled which fills most of a plate. They served it with a tomato dish and a coconut one. Then you tear the pancake and eat it with the side dishes. It was very pleasant but not something I would normally eat for breakfast but when in Rome(!)..............

Today I plan to work to prepare for next week's courses but also plan to take some time out and perhaps have a lunch and a couple of hours by the pool (in the 35 degree heat) - 'mad dogs and Englishmen.......!'

Tomorrow I am going to a church in Bhandra (South West Mumbai - I think) and then going to visit Elephanta Caves.

New experiences

Yesterday I had a short walk (in the sweltering heat) to a local shop. It was a bit like a small supermarket. I'm really glad that I went with a couple of colleagues because I didn't know the routine. We had to queue up at the entrance in order to have our bags sealed with a plastic tie-wrap. Then we helped ourselves to goods, as normal and it was when we got to the checkout that our bags were unsealed so that we could pay for our goods. Then on our way out there was a man who checked the bags and stamped the receipts. Just imagine if we had to go through that in our supermarkets?

It was Sharin's (one of the trainers here) birthday yesterday and there was a cake to celebrate. Just as in England, we sang happy birthday. Then people smeared cream from the cake over Sharin's face (urgh...sticky, sticky , sticky)! This tends to happen and isn't a one-off. Then the birthday girl (or boy) cuts the cake and taking a piece, lets everyone in the group take a bite. Then everyone gets a piece of cake (as normal). If Sharin had been a boy she would've had the birthday bumps. They lift the person with arms and legs and then kick the person on the back.

The weekly routine doesn't present much interesting 'blog material' as the routing is pretty much the same each day. Shower, breakfast, drive to office, work at the office, drive to the hotel, dinner, work at hotel, sleep (like a baby). It's Thursday today and I'm looking forward to the weekend. I'm going out for a traditional North-Indian meal on Friday night and then will be sight-seeing over the weekend, so hopefully the blog will be a bit more interesting to read. I'll try and get some photos/videos.

Pani puri

Yesterday some of the group invited me to join them in the canteen for 'Pani puri'. Pani puri is like small round, hollow fried ball. It can be filled with an assortment of ingredients and has liquid poured inside on top of the mixture. The idea is that it all goes into the mouth at once. A small counter is set up in the canteen early evening each day and you can choose how hot you would like your filling. The man serving the pani puri makes each one up individually. I noticed that everyone was really interested to see how I went on! I did ok but I think they were kind to me by not making them too hot. I think they plan to gradually make them hotter each time I try it. I'll try to get a photograph of me eating one, in the meantime here's a photo from the internet.

Tuesday

There are some roadworks at the front of the hotel and so yesterday the driver took me on a different route to the office. It was much more interesting and we passed through a section of slum area. Although I just get a glimpse as I pass by, I find myself fascinated by these places. They tend to be areas of 'make-shift' housing, held together with plastic sheets, stones and anything to provide some shelter. The gaps between these shelters are narrow, providing little alleyways and ginnels. It's a vicious circle for the majority of people living there because they can only focus on survival and don't understand the value of education, hence their children are only shown the basics of survival, as their parents were.

Now I'm probably talking rubbish because I won't get the opportunity to see these places up close. There's a great divide between the rich and the poor. Here in India, I am rich. I have a private driver who makes sure I reach where I want to go. Everywhere I go I am treated with the utmost respect. In fact I feel about a 100 because everyone seems to call me Ma'am. In the hotel, if I want anything at all, I just sign a little slip and it will be charged to my room. And everything is so perfect; not a crease in the sheets, not a smear on any glass and food that is prepared by Mumbai's best chefs.

It makes me feel ashamed because I am living in this place of luxury, surrounded by absolute poverty that we just can't comprehend in the UK. Even the poor in the UK are rich in comparison.

Sunday

I managed my sit by the pool yesterday and it was wonderful and I'm going to have an hour or two again today. The staff keep bringing cold flannels which is very nice. I was told that I chose the right time to visit now that the monsoon season is over. During the rains the swimming pool was filthy. It isn't now and I think you'll agree, it looks lovely and very inviting? For most of the time I was there I had the pool to myself.

The rest of the day I spent working in preparation for the course on Monday. Still have a lot to do but at least I can relax a little bit too now. I have a nice big TV in my room and there is a couple of movie channels in English. I've seen most of the films before but at least they are some good ones and its better than silence. I watched an old Bond movie yesterday. sad or what?

Anyway, must go - the sun and the pool is beckoning.

End of week 1

It's Saturday and I was really looking forward to waking naturally but gues who forgot to switch off the 6am alarm? Luckily I went back to sleep. I'm glad to say that I am now (practically) prepared for the course on Monday which means that the pressure is off and I can start relaxing in the evenings. I say relaxing! I don't get back to the hotel until after 9pm on most days and then I have to start thinking about something to eat. It doesn't leave much time for relaxing. I've started ordering room service on some evenings because it is such an effort to go to the restaurant. It takes over an hour to have dinner.

Today I'm going to sit by the pool. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to stand the heat though. It's about 30 degrees and very humid. I've decided not to leave the hotel this weekend eventhough my colleagues over here have offered to take me sight-seeing. a) I need to rest and still have some work to do and b) they also need to rest (they work even longer hours than I do)!


The hotel is located in the airport region and it is really nice. However, it isn't located in a pleasant place and there is nowhere to walk outside of the hotel and no shops. Security is really tight and I've got used to the routine of entering the site. The car is stopped and the driver has to open the bonnet and boot of the car which is checked. Then the man with the sniffer dog opens each door of the car so the dog can have a sniff. Then the guards give me a formal hello where they hold their hands together and give me a little bow and a nod and say hello. We then drive to the entrance. My bags go through a conveyor belt (x-rayed) into the hotel. Then (as a lady) I go into a cubicle where they check me for weapons (I think). They use one of those hand-held things they use at the airports that bleeps when it detects metal. When all that is over, I go into the hotel, collect my bags and that's it!

My room is really lovely and I took a photograph, above. I'll take some photos of the pool area today and post them on the blog so you can see. I'm not allowed to take photographs of the office where I am working which is a shame.

Friday

Today is Friday and will be then end of my training week one. Another two weeks to go. I'm really looking forward to the weekend but am so tired that I plan to stay at the hotel and catch up with some sleep and relax. I'm sorry that I haven't managed to 'blog' every day but I literally am struggling to fit the time in to even eat and sleep. By the time I get back to the hotel in the evening it can be 9pm and I have work to do to make sure I am prepared for the next day.

Everyone was concerned yesterday in case there was trouble on the streets but the roads were actually quieter than normal. There was lots of police presence and thankfully the streets remained peaceful.

There was a big thunder storm last night when I was going back to the hotel - it was quite spectacular. I hope the weather stayed dry over the weekend as I plan some time by the pool.

First day of work

Yesterday I felt like a child waiting for the first day of school. I was showered and dressed early and ready to go when the driver turned up for me. I'd been practising a few words of Hindi and was able to say hello and welcome them. At least I think that's what I said. I received some applause at the end, so hopefully I did ok.

The day went very well and I was absolutely shattered by the end of the it. The days are VERY long and I didn't really appreciate how much I take my 9-5 hours for granted. I ate traditional Indian food in the canteen although it is a bit substantial for a lunch time. They will prepare something lighter which is what I will try today.

By the time I went back to the hotel the traffic was bad. Travelling over here is quite an experience. Honking the horn all the time is standard and they drive with their arm across the steering wheel in order to do so easily. Even though there may be some lane markings they are totally disregarded. The rule is that if there is a space in front, you aim for it. At first I thought that they were bad drivers but I have changed my mind. I think they are excellent drivers. They have to be in order to avoid collided with other vehicles. They weave across the roads and cars and autorickshaws are just inches away and this is at speed, not just crawling along. No-one seems to be offended when they get a blast of the horn. Just imagine that in England!

Namaste (Hello)

Today has been wonderful from start to finish thanks to my two new friends Seetha and Nadir. I will be working with them both over the next three weeks and today they showed me the sights of Mumbai. We started out by going to a contemporary service at a Christian Church. This was great because Seetha is a Hindu and Nadir is a Moslem. We also met up with Vivian, who I'll also be working with and he had saved us seats with his family.

We had a car and driver available to us all day and after church we headed to the south of the city where we had a superb lunch. From there we went shopping, although we stopped for a glass of sugar beet juice which was very refreshing and really interesting to watch it being made, see photo.

Afterwards we went to see the Gateway of India and the famous Hotel Taj Mahal. It was really busy and very hot and humid. We then took a boat ride along the coast and saw the sun setting over the city. Then to round that off we went for a ride in a very elaborately decorated horse and carriage. We headed back to the north of the city and while we were waiting for a seat in a restaurant, Seetha and I took a ride in an autorickshaw. Finally I was treated to a typical south Indian meal which was delicious.

It's been a full and tiring day but one that has been very special. Tomorrow I begin work and expect long hours but lots of enthusiasm and job satisfaction. I'll keep you posted.

Internet rules!

After struggling to get access to the internet - I'm back.

When I arrived at the office on the first day there was a welcoming party for me in the reception area and I was treated to a traditional welcome. A flower garland was placed around my neck and tikka applied to my forehead. I then had to light a special candle that had been placed in the middle of the floor. No cameras are allowed on site so unfortunately I've no photograph to show you.

The people here are very polite and so keen to learn. They want to know all about the UK and in the restaurant on an evening it is impossible to eat without waiters coming to chat as you eat. They are also educating me on how to eat Indian food. Apparently we Brits confuse spicy and hot!

The workers in the office are also very keen and very proud to work for a British company. My training course starts on Monday and I'm not quite ready for it so I've still got some work to do. Today though, I'm going to chill by the pool (if its possible to chill in this heat)!

Tomorrow I am going to church. One of the trainers is taking me and we mentioned it to someone and now there are several of us going. If only it was so easy to fill churches in the UK! When I mentioned my involvement at Church, someone asked if I would like to preach at a service. I'll keep you posted on that one.

Last night a group from the office went out for a meal. It was really confusing to me because the waiter didn'r ask everyone around the table what they wanted to eat. I noticed that food was turning up and it seemed that people were ordering as and when they wanted. I eventually managed to order a meal which was very nice. India is four and a half hours in front of the UK and many companies over here work UK hours (9am in the UK is 1.30pm) so the shifts start and end later in the day. This means that people eat so much later. My meal last night was eaten at about one in the morning! I'm not used to it and I slept late this morning. I hope that doesn't happen next week when I'm training as I have early starts!

Speak soon.

Welcome to Oscar James

What a day! I arrived in Mumbai, switched my phone on and there was a message telling me that Oscar had arrived, weighing in at 6lb 3. I missed it by a day and now am in Mumbai until 17 October. He'll be all grown up by the time I see him.

Well - I'm here at last. Everyone at some time in their lives should travel business class. I could get used to it. Emerite lounges at both airports where I could get something to eat and drink was superb althought I did give in to temptation and have a cake at Manchester! The food on the plane was very good too and the service excellent. Only problem was that I didn't get a wink of sleep eventhough the seat was very comfortable and reclined right back. Dubai Airport was a disappointment as so many people had raved about it but an airport's an airport!!

I was met by the hotel chauffeur. There he was with my name on a card. It was really funny as I walked passed lots of people with cards. The heat and humity hit me as soon as I left the airport. It is really hot. The roads were fairly quiet (I'm told) because it was the final celebration of one of the lesser known Gods and there was lots of celebrating going on. I saw a lorry go passed with loud music and people were throwing money in, which I think was something to do with it.

The hotel is very nice and I've got a lovely room with an amazing shower in like a glass room which is inbetween the bathroom and the bedroom. I've got internet connection in the hotel but no signal on my BlackBerry so any emails will be sorted at the end of the day. Everyone entering the hotel has to pass through a security barrier like at the airport and all bags have to be x-rayed. The hotel has so many staff and empty plates are removed within minutes, if not seconds. I feel a bit awkward because I'm not used to being waitied upon (Chris may disagree with that comment) and they want to do everything for you. I went for a meal last night and had the buffet which was a bit confusing because I wasn't sure what everything was. Basically lots of different curries and rice. Hot, spicy food makes my nose run and my eyes water. By the end of my time here, I'll be a wreck. The waiters must think I'm upset all of the time with the tears and runny nose! The hotel is just off a busy road which is really quite scruffy and I can see houses at the back of the hotel which seem to be put together with scrap, with plastic sheets to protect them from the rain. They were celebrating yesterday and I could hear the music when I went outside. Fireworks were going off throughout the night. I was told to try to stay awake as long as I could and I managed until 9pm and then I slept until the alarm went off at 6am. Breakfast was 'interesting' although no way could I face curried vegetables this time in the morning! They did have some cereal and toast so I was ok. I might give the Indian pancake a go one morning if I wake up ravenous!

I'm being met at 8.30am and going to meet the trainers at the company where I'm working. I've brought them a gift of Cadburies Roses, so hope they like chocolate. I'll let you know how today goes.

Today's the day....

The day has finally arrived! After the saga of getting a business visa and then being lost in the post, my passport is now ready to use. So, I'm flying tonight, business class no less, at 9:00pm. Chris is working so I'm getting the train to Manchester Airport. I'm looking forward to a short time at Dubai Airport as I've heard a lot about it. India is four and a half hours in front and I should arrive in Mumbai at 2pm on Wednesday (India time).

So, watch this space if you want to keep track of what I'm up to. Can't promise much excitement because most of the days will be spent in an office working but who knows....?