The guys.......

Now I would like to introduce you all to the team I have had the pleasure of working with for the past few months. They are an energetic, full of vim and vigour group of young men (nope, no women dbas to be found yet! So if you know any, send them the group’s way).

For these many months it has really been my pleasure to work with them. They have had their ups and downs at work, and yet they still remain positive. Coming to work each day and trying to find new ways to do better and learn more about the technology they work with.

As well, they know how to let their hair down. The pics to the right are from the first event we had. It was a going away for a team member. Since then we try to all get together and go out at least every 3 weeks, going away or not.

And ladies…these guys DANCE. As soon as the music starts they are up on the dance floor. And stay there until they have to go home. Don’t get inebriated either.

Overall, one of the greatest bunch of people I have worked with. I am proud to work with them and hope that we will all remain in touch going forward.

Edward - The Superb Driver

Now I should tell you about my driver. Over here ‘us’ people are NOT allowed to drive, strictly verboten. You can imagine why…first there is the issue that people drive on the ‘wrong’ side of the street, then there is the issue that the traffic is just, well, crazy. Sooooo, when you rent a car, a DRIVER comes along with it! (Now if only they would let me hand pick the driver, you know, single, about my age, etc etc). My driver is an absolute gem. He speaks English and about 5 different Indian dialects as well as reads and writes many languages. He is very polite and always calls me ‘Madam’ (ok, not sure about whether that has any other connotations…but don’t think so) and he calls my flatmate ‘Madam Madam’ because, after all, he needs to differentiate us! It started as a joke, but has become the norm.

His name is Edward and his is unfailingly polite. He always finds the place I want to go even if I have absolutely no idea of the address. It is really amazing that over here my car (ok with the driver) NEVER gets lost whereas at home my car is always getting lost….Now everyone seems to think it is some sort of problem with ME! I say it is that my car at home just has some sort of mechanical difficulty…What do you think?

So Edward gets to see us first thing in the a.m. on the way to work and right after work when some days I am not sure we want to see ourselves! When we need to find a store he has this never ending circle of other drivers (which includes his father that has driven for ages) on whom he can call.

And! The nicest part? Even if I ask him to pick up some eggs or some mangoes he never complains or in any way makes me feel like I am asking too much. Now, sure it is often that way here in India, but it is REALLY nice to have someone to talk to that understands you easily and yet doesn’t mind if you are late getting out of work or quiet etc etc.

3rd Week in India

Well, it has been a REALLY long time since I wrote. But then, everyone knows I am horrible at this writing ‘stuff’. Let me try to write in chronological order.

After the ‘flea’ episode everything got really busy at work. I was put in charge of the dba team. What a GREAT bunch of fellows. But….more about them later!

The 2nd weekend I went up to Hyderabad to see some friends and order some earrings (Navarotna they are called). Now, the story of the Navarotna is, about 30 years ago (yep I am that old remember?) I met a woman working at the hospital who has these LOVELY earrings. They were little round gold pyramids with all these numerous precious stones around them. Sooooo there I went to Hyerabad and we traipsed around all day looking at earrings and asking the jewelers about this. FINALLY we found someone to make them.

My friend from Hyerabad was truly amazing! (See us to the right in the shop) She was brutal on the guy. I was prepared to bargain a bit, but when I looked over she had this look on her face I would be afraid of! Next thing he dropped the price by over Rs2000!!! I certainly did not mind that.

As well, I was able to meet with some other fellows about the idea of a children’s home. It quickly became obvious that such an endeavour is very difficult. People were/are very encouraging and yet not very encouraging. There is always the issue of having to leave one’s finances in someone else’s hands because one is not here. As well, because one does not speak the language how can one know what is REALLY happening? Such concerns.

It was VERY hot in Hyderabad. Let’s put it this way….I figured if people who live there are complaining about the heat then this little person from the frozen white north had a right to feel VERY hot. The heat is dry though so not quite so bad.

We rode around for a while in the ‘angry bees’ three wheelers (see pic), at least that is what my flatmate Karen calls them. You can fit about 4 people squished in them. They are a sort of three wheeled motorbike with a back seat and canopy. For places with warm weather I think they are the cutest things and totally sensible.

What do you think of me....in one of them....drinking COCONUT milk! The only thing about coconut milk is....it is a diuretic so be near a washroom. :-)

First Week In India

Week 1 – Bangalore

The plane arrives at 0430, yep, 4:30 in the morning. There is someone to help with a wheelchair which is really nice! It is the aisle type of wheelchair so a little skinny for my big bottom, but it suffices.

Off we go to immigration. Oops! Marie did not fill out her address here in India so the fellow has to come back and it has to be completed and re-examined. Finally I am admitted and we go to collect the bags.

Of course we are joined by another young fellow who drives a baggage cart and collects the one other bag I have stuffed full. I figured, 2 carry ons, and one medium sized check in would be easiest to manage on the way. Looking around at all the people with BIG suitcases and 2 or three of them I think I was right.

We are out the door! And on the way to finding ‘my’ driver. A gentleman from Avis with a car is supposed to be there. It is hot, and muggy, EVEN at 0430. We roll down the entourage on either side of drivers holding signs (none of which has my name on it), relatives and friends waiting for passengers. BUT, NO one with my name.

Ok, there I am, blocking the remaining aisle way on the outside sidewalk to the airport terminal, people cannot get by either way easily owing to the other people waiting, and there is no driver evident.

No problem, dig out the paperwork and start calling the manager on duty for Avis. Darn! His cell is not answering and his voicemail is full!

Ah ha!! Pin another Avis person and make THEM call the Avis on call manager.

SUCCESS! Here comes the Avis driver with a placard WITH my name CORRECTLY spelled (that is a miracle itself).

Off we go to the apartment complex. It is behind a high wall with guarded gates (right beside an Oracle building). It is modern and new. After some confusion I am in a clean room with clean sheets and pillow AND a TV!! With HBO and at least 2 other movie channels. My goodness! Things have changed in the last 3 years.

I sleep through the day and go out in the evening for supper with the U.S. manager here on site and his wife. VERY nice people.
Over the next couple of days I met the people on the project. Everyone is open and helpful.

My flatmate in particular is very helpful and solicitous. She has been here for about 3 months and knows a lot of the ins and outs of ‘How to Survive Six Months In India’.

Funny thing about the apartnemtn is that the kitchen has effectively no stove!!! Yep, I guess they think that we all eat out every night. There is a small combination microwave/browning oven and a little kettle to boil water in. Now, I don’t cook that much at home…but I do cook occasionally (yes Annette and mom, I DO cook) (ok, maybe 3 times a week given lunches and dinners).

The second night here the most horrible thing happened. It was…well, horrible! It seems that I am indeed allergic to FLEAS. And some dastardly fleas found their way into my pillow. So while I was sleeping with my sheet over my head to strategically avoid the buzzing of the odd mosquito the fleas GOT me! See the pic to the right. Can you believe it? Me!

Now, for those that know me, you know that for a very long time I have only used Metrin on my face because it just….well…..’works’. Keeps my face clean, fresh, soft and just generally makes me feel good. It is probably the only only ‘girlie’ thing I really do. And I have been guilty of the sin of pride where it comes to my face. So it is inevitable that 2 days after I get here, having to face a MAJOR meeting on the Saturday coming my face should look like I have about FIFTY pustule eruptions. One naïve young man actually made a remark in passing that he also had had a problem with PIMPLES. My goodness!! Pimples at MY age! Well that led to every person I was introduced to getting the :

‘Hi! I’m Marie, and these are FLEA bites, NOT pimples and not mosquito bites’

Not the best foot (or face forward).

Overall everyone was very solicitous and kind when they heard. The apartment manager immediately changed out all my pillows and I was moved to another room.

So reading this one would think there was NO fun. Not so, the very first week some friends of friends who actually live here took me shopping. There is nothing like shopping with someone who is from the area. Got my first set of material/cloth for a salwar kmeez. (that is those tops, pants and big scarves (dupatta) that the women wear here and sometimes in Vancouver). The colours and patterns and fabrics are truly amazing.

Annette and mom…you would go CRAZY here over the fabric. There is just TOOO much choice and the prices are so good. The hand detailing is breathtaking.

So the first week was filled with meeting people and getting used to the weather.