India do not have DST. I guess it's impossible to manage 1.3 billion residents (and counting) and ask them to move their watches.
Try to set a meeting for 1st half of the day? or how bout 2nd half? yes, this is an actual time frame: 1st half and 2nd half of the day.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Just drive
I realized that I have been too long in India on the day that I ordered a rikshaw to go against traffic in order to make the trip shorter.
It's a normal thing in India, so doing it was "stamping" my indianity (guess there's no such word but.... maybe there should be?
It's a normal thing in India, so doing it was "stamping" my indianity (guess there's no such word but.... maybe there should be?
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Gas station on fire
I was driving home tonight, and the entire highway was stopped for a gas station that caught on fire.
I caught it as well
Thursday, October 2, 2008
World of Warcraft
I think I am not addicted - I guess I am (my wife tells me that).
However, I am sure there are people whom are even more addicted than I.
However, I am sure there are people whom are even more addicted than I.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Properly shut down
I know that English is not the native language in India, still, it's funny.
This is a conversation I had with one of my employees in my India office:
Emp: My laptop is now working properly and i checked with xxx and he saying that display chip is damage and if we changed its about 5000Rs. and without any warranty and chip will not success for the longer.
Me: I don't understand.
Is your laptop working or not? what brand is it? when and where was it purchased?
Emp: Right now Laptop is properly shut down.
Me: (Here is where I got totally confused) : properly shut down?
meaning? is it working properly or not?
Emp: Sorry, It is not working.
Me: Please report to IT to fix it.
This is a conversation I had with one of my employees in my India office:
Emp: My laptop is now working properly and i checked with xxx and he saying that display chip is damage and if we changed its about 5000Rs. and without any warranty and chip will not success for the longer.
Please suggest me.
Me: I don't understand.
Is your laptop working or not? what brand is it? when and where was it purchased?
Emp: Right now Laptop is properly shut down.
Me: (Here is where I got totally confused) : properly shut down?
meaning? is it working properly or not?
Emp: Sorry, It is not working.
Me: Please report to IT to fix it.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Hospital
My daughter was hospitalized and gone through a surgery. She is very young and fragile. She will be OK, and she just proves to me that kids are stronger than we think they are.
I still think that realityisfunny, and I will prove it to you with my next posts.
I wish her good health.
I still think that realityisfunny, and I will prove it to you with my next posts.
I wish her good health.
Monday, September 22, 2008
A/C
A/C - This stands for Air Conditioning in India (and many other places as well).
A/C is pretty much important when in the hot season in Delhi (particularily between April 2 August + ).
I once stopped a cab driver and before entering the car I asked: "Do you have A/C?" his answer: "Yes, here is A/C" while pointing at the A/C knob in the dashboard. I happily jumped in the car, and taxid away.
After 2 minutes, while the A/C was off, I asked the driver to open the A/C. He nodded with the standard "ok" head motion (if you don't know what I mean, just try to move your head sideways, while shaking it horizontally - or something like that).
Another minute passed - nothing. The air inside the car was worse than the air outside. I told the driver: "Where is the A/C?" - he pointed at the knob: "A/C not working".
I reached my destination totally soaked.
A/C is pretty much important when in the hot season in Delhi (particularily between April 2 August + ).
I once stopped a cab driver and before entering the car I asked: "Do you have A/C?" his answer: "Yes, here is A/C" while pointing at the A/C knob in the dashboard. I happily jumped in the car, and taxid away.
After 2 minutes, while the A/C was off, I asked the driver to open the A/C. He nodded with the standard "ok" head motion (if you don't know what I mean, just try to move your head sideways, while shaking it horizontally - or something like that).
Another minute passed - nothing. The air inside the car was worse than the air outside. I told the driver: "Where is the A/C?" - he pointed at the knob: "A/C not working".
I reached my destination totally soaked.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Say no to smoking
I am against smoking. This movie is hard to watch, but if you are a smoker, you are going that way anyway so... have fun
Friday, September 19, 2008
Take the chance?
I guess that should scare anyone thinking of doing any illegal activities in Sri Lanka. Or is it?
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Che:Che
I wear glasses. So, I went to Dr.'s Mongra clinic at [can't remember bazaar's name], and this was the tool they use to test for your needed new glasses.Would you?
No strings attached
This wireless phone (indeed wireless) was spotted in Central Market, Lajpat Nagar in Delhi.
The Rajdoot Incident
Usually I know of my trips appx 2 weeks before. One time I had to take an urgent fly to Delhi within 2 days.
I wasn't able to get a room at my regular hotel, so I have asked my local manager to book me a hotel room for 5 nights at the vicinity of our office.
Couple of hours later I got an email confirmation that my room is booked. It's the Rajdoot Hotel. I asked for the price, and was told: Rs 1900. (equal to 40USD at that time). That has raise an eyebrow, as the price was relatively cheap for the types of hotel I usually stay at, even for Delhi. I reconfirmed with my manager, but he assured me: "Don't worry, it's a great hotel.".
Arriving to Delhi from Europe is after midnight local time. I went to the taxi station and asked for a taxi to the Rajdoot Hotel. Now, I must tell you, this was the 2nd time that I felt something is bad. The taxi drivers had no clue what hotel I meant. After ~15 minutes, and as many as 10 drivers were asked, we were on our way to the hotel.
60 minutes on the roads, I had a strong feeling something is wrong, we were still driving to the hotel. *it usually took me 35-50 minutes to get to my hotel, so going for 60 meant we are further away.
After another 30 minutes (total driving time of 90 minutes, and the local time is 0200) we have arrived to a building, dark with front steps. As we got closer, my driver had flashed his lights, and out of nowhere, 2 people ran up the stairs, and open the lights. There it was, the Rajdoot Hotel. Can you imagine my face, understanding that they opened the hotel lights for me? well, yea, I am not Bill Gates, so why? Later I knew.
I had signed to a simple, 15sqm room, with a simple, wooden bed (imagine a door hanged on 4 wooden legs. Not a big door), which had a very thin mattress (can't think of a different name to it). It was a 2inch thick (hard to say thick on 2inches) latex foam, with the most simple bed sheet on it. I didn't complain, as I was extremely tired.
I went to the tiny shower, where there was no place to put my accessories bag, so that had to stay outside. Now, knowing India, I opened the water, and waited a good 10 minutes for the cold water to run, waiting for the hot, nice water to arrive. After 10 minutes, I took off my clothes, remember, outside of the shower, and wanted to get in. BRRR!! cold hit me. Now the dilemma:
*During that time I started thinking on what's gonna happen to my local manager. My thoughts were so extreme, that I was amazed at my ingunuity.
My options were:
Lying flat on my back felt like lying on stone. But on that piece of mattress, nothing else could do, as the bed was shorter than I by 2 cm. Which is a lot when you are trying to sleep.
I woke up (hardly) at 0700 that morning, went down to the reception and asked to check out. I had no clue where I will go, but I knew I am not staying there. The courteous employee was amazed, and noted to me that I have the room reserved for the entire week. I smiled, and said thank you, but I can't stay.
He offered me to have breakfast. It was early, I didn't eat properly (who can on a plane?) so I went to the restaurant. Without further words, that was the last time I ever saw the Rajdoot. I went out, took a taxi and went to my office.
I booked a hotel for 130USD that day, and had the hottest shower I could ever get.
I wasn't able to get a room at my regular hotel, so I have asked my local manager to book me a hotel room for 5 nights at the vicinity of our office.
Couple of hours later I got an email confirmation that my room is booked. It's the Rajdoot Hotel. I asked for the price, and was told: Rs 1900. (equal to 40USD at that time). That has raise an eyebrow, as the price was relatively cheap for the types of hotel I usually stay at, even for Delhi. I reconfirmed with my manager, but he assured me: "Don't worry, it's a great hotel.".
Arriving to Delhi from Europe is after midnight local time. I went to the taxi station and asked for a taxi to the Rajdoot Hotel. Now, I must tell you, this was the 2nd time that I felt something is bad. The taxi drivers had no clue what hotel I meant. After ~15 minutes, and as many as 10 drivers were asked, we were on our way to the hotel.
60 minutes on the roads, I had a strong feeling something is wrong, we were still driving to the hotel. *it usually took me 35-50 minutes to get to my hotel, so going for 60 meant we are further away.
After another 30 minutes (total driving time of 90 minutes, and the local time is 0200) we have arrived to a building, dark with front steps. As we got closer, my driver had flashed his lights, and out of nowhere, 2 people ran up the stairs, and open the lights. There it was, the Rajdoot Hotel. Can you imagine my face, understanding that they opened the hotel lights for me? well, yea, I am not Bill Gates, so why? Later I knew.
I had signed to a simple, 15sqm room, with a simple, wooden bed (imagine a door hanged on 4 wooden legs. Not a big door), which had a very thin mattress (can't think of a different name to it). It was a 2inch thick (hard to say thick on 2inches) latex foam, with the most simple bed sheet on it. I didn't complain, as I was extremely tired.
I went to the tiny shower, where there was no place to put my accessories bag, so that had to stay outside. Now, knowing India, I opened the water, and waited a good 10 minutes for the cold water to run, waiting for the hot, nice water to arrive. After 10 minutes, I took off my clothes, remember, outside of the shower, and wanted to get in. BRRR!! cold hit me. Now the dilemma:
- Wait until hot water reaches? This can take for ever.
- Go in now, take a freezing quick cold shower.But if hot water will reach at the end, you will feel very bad for suffering the cold water.
- I waited another 10 minutes, naked, cold.
- I took a freezing cold shower.
*During that time I started thinking on what's gonna happen to my local manager. My thoughts were so extreme, that I was amazed at my ingunuity.
My options were:
- I will have him stay in this hotel for a month.
- I will give him his wedding present as a weekend at that hotel.
Lying flat on my back felt like lying on stone. But on that piece of mattress, nothing else could do, as the bed was shorter than I by 2 cm. Which is a lot when you are trying to sleep.
I woke up (hardly) at 0700 that morning, went down to the reception and asked to check out. I had no clue where I will go, but I knew I am not staying there. The courteous employee was amazed, and noted to me that I have the room reserved for the entire week. I smiled, and said thank you, but I can't stay.
He offered me to have breakfast. It was early, I didn't eat properly (who can on a plane?) so I went to the restaurant. Without further words, that was the last time I ever saw the Rajdoot. I went out, took a taxi and went to my office.
I booked a hotel for 130USD that day, and had the hottest shower I could ever get.
Tomorrow can be worse
When I first started visiting India, someone told me: "No matter how bad things got, it can be worse tomorrow".
Disclaimer
Everything I will write in my blog is with no intentions to hurt anyone. I enjoy India, and the people are great there. I am a peaceful, funny person, and I hope I will try to pass this feelings in my posts.
I will not try to promote anything (unless I will strictly say so) nor I will try to deny or give scores. I am just telling my POV.
I will not try to promote anything (unless I will strictly say so) nor I will try to deny or give scores. I am just telling my POV.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
With no words - or just some
Changing a wheel may not be that difficult once you bring the wheel to you.
This method of moving and transporting vehicles and motorbikes (2 wheelers) is a standard way in India.
hmm, first post
I never had a blog, and I usually don't read them. But a colleague today mentioned to me that I should write on my experiences.
I will explain, as part of my job, I travel frequently - most of my travels are to west Asia region (Sri Lanka and India mostly), and honestly, beside the fact that these countries have the most unique heritage, past and so many other things. They are very unique in the user experience that a western visitor can get. And than some.
My idea is to tell about my experiences there, which are usually different than what I am used too. I have been traveling for the past 5 years, and I have many stories, so I hope I will be able to put them in writing.
I will explain, as part of my job, I travel frequently - most of my travels are to west Asia region (Sri Lanka and India mostly), and honestly, beside the fact that these countries have the most unique heritage, past and so many other things. They are very unique in the user experience that a western visitor can get. And than some.
My idea is to tell about my experiences there, which are usually different than what I am used too. I have been traveling for the past 5 years, and I have many stories, so I hope I will be able to put them in writing.
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