Getting close to the end of the trip
Mood:
energetic
Topic: General
Tanmay brought in his coin collection, mostly Indian, but also singapore, hong kong, and Arab countries. Several of the coins predate British rule and are very valuable. One of his uncles travels and that is where all of the non-Indian coins came from.
Some random info:
Traffic lanes are few and far between - turn lanes are seldom marked and most drivers face a broad expanse of pavement. However that helps during rush hour. The flow one direction expands to take up 2/3 of the width of the road. And during rush hour the maximum number of cars can fill the road with motorcycle rickshaws, motorbikes, cars, and delivery trucks in a random order somehow fill every square meter so that there is scarcely room for pedestrians to cross.
Women wearing sari's will ride on motorbikes side saddle. Quite unnerving to me to see this on the flyovers where they go zipping by. The younger women wear a pants suit type of outfit. They ride on back of the motorbikes western style, the way we are used to seeing women ride on back of motorcycles. Seems like that would be safer and more balanced. Oh, and it is not unusual to see a family on a motorcycle. Child on gas tank, Pop driving, a another child followed by Mom. Although helmets are required few wear them. One bad accident and a branch of the family tree is lopped off.
Speaking of pedestrians, walking along a street is semi hazadous. Many times the sidewalks don't exist, are under construction, or are filled with shops. So most walking is done at the edge of the street. Of course there are no crosswalks and few traffic lights. So crossing the street is quite an undertaking. I cheat and wait for a native to make a move. Then I move along side of them. I figure they know the traffic - and maybe their body will provide a cushion if we are hit ;- ) You can generally make it to the median where you have to stop and wait for a break in the flow from the other direction. The concrete medians are generally 2-3 foot wide, so you dare not lose your balance as you wait to make a break for it.
Work hours are interesting in the office. I generally arrive shortly after 9 and stay until about 7. There are few early risers in Mumbai. The office fills around 10. Then there is an ebb and flow thru out the day. They go to the canteen for lunch, then have an afternoon tea. When I leave at 7, the number of engineers has trickled down significantly.
My workday routine is this. Up around 7am to workout in the gym at the Hotel. 10 minutes or so in the steam room and then a shower. Back to the room to get dressed and have breakfast. Work in the office and have lunch courtesy of Datamatics. The driver takes me back to the Hotel shortly after 7pm. Some days the drive is quick and I am back at the hotel in 15 minutes. Other days for no apparent reason the traffic backs up and the drive can take up to 45 minutes. Supper, then a night cap in the lounge. The food at the Hotel has been great. I have to pull myself away from the dessert section. Back to the room by 9, watch a little TV and drift off to sleep.
During lunch today one of the Indians made an observation. When we make food he can detect the cheese, but in India they use yogart and creams made from milk along with their main courses. Just a difference in the two cultures.
Oh and although arranged marriages are still the norm, the process has changed. Where before the bride and groom could be almost strangers - maybe having a chance to meet each other for a few hours during the process. Now it is more often the prospective bride and groom talking to the parents saying this is who I want to marry, then the parents meet and give their stamp of approval. One single engineer here said that his parents told him to go out and just find a girl and bring her back, we'll give our approval.
Posted by christ77
at 7:02 AM EST