Back home again in... Florida?

Trainers Brian Covington and Roger Agness see their American friend Ronald in Mumbai and pose for a picture with him.

India was certainly nice, and a most wonderful experience, but it is great to be back home in Florida again:
- driving my car... and it started right up the first time
- calling my parents... for free
- calling my friends... for free
- being awake in the daytime... and asleep in the nighttime
- seeing the changes in Orlando, and my neighborhood, in the last ten weeks
- seeing my housemates again

- reading the Orlando Sentinel... in print and not online
- having Cheerios and orange juice for breakfast... but not having the breakfast buffet :(
- having TV dinners for dinner... but not having the dinner buffet :(
- not being driven at 55 mph with no headlights, through stop lights, with no street lights, at 4:00 in the morning :)
- having a computer with a real mouse, and not the laptop loaner from IBM
- many other things that I'm sure I'll think of later...


A variety of ten desserts offered to me at the conclusion of my final dinner in the Saffron restaurant of my hotel in Mumbai. Mmmm good...


Three of the staff at the Saffron restaurant and their favorite customer. Ask me and I'll tell you why...

And so it ends...

...the way it began, watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean. Well, the Arabian Sea to be specific.

:)

My time in India has now drawn to a close and I have lived some incredible experiences. I hope that you have enjoyed reading about them here in this little blog that I wrote for my family and friends.

Over the next few days I will be finishing the blog with various thoughts and observations from my ten weeks in India, and some more photos. I hope you will drop by again!

Sincerely,

Roger Agness

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all my friends and family.

Sunday morning the hotel lobby was decorated with thousands of white flowers: lilies, anthuriums, roses, fresias, and blossoms I had never seen before. These arrangements stood ten or twelve feet tall!



It would be nice to think that the hotel was decorated for Easter, but actually it was for the engagement of the general manager's daughter the night before. There was a big celebration, and no expense was spared for the occasion.



Whatever the reason for the white flowers, it was nice to be reminded of purity, new birth, and resurrection. I hope that your Easter was good and that you got to attend church with family or friends.

India is a mostly Hindu country with a very large Muslim population and then a small Christian minority. Here in Mumbai, a major metropolitan city of eighteen million people, there are church services in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, and Telegu.

I think I've just been offended

Remember that old Scope mouthwash commercial where the coworkers would leave a bottle of Scope on their colleague's desk and hope that he/she would take the hint and get the point?

Well...

I was setting up the classroom for work tonight when my co-trainer asked, "Roger, do you like something sweet?" Assuming he meant candy, because I like to put out chocolate Kisses at each computer for the first night of class, I replied Thank you but that I was full because I had just had dinner and really didn't need anything.

He pulls a little foil packet out of his pocket and said, "Try this. You'll really like it." He explained that it tasted good and that there were six little tablets in the packet but to not take them all at once, to chew them slowly throughout the day. And something about being "digestive tablets" and thus "feeling fresh." (Here they don't have "mouthwash" but "breath freshener." Same idea. Halitosis in any language is still bad news.)

The bright orange and yellow packet has a picture of a wise old grandfather and a little girl with her dog. The brand name is Hajmola, and the slogan is "Hazam sab, chahey jab." It evidently rhymes, and who knows what it means; but probably something like "Your breath is peeyuu, these mints are for you."

Printed on the back are the ingredients: Samudra Lavan, Krishna Lavan, Navsadar, Kshudhavardhak Churna, Nimbu Saar, Jeeraka, kali Marich, Sunthi, and Pippali. Yikes! He wants me to put that into my mouth and CHEW ON IT?

A quick Google search on the the workd "Hajmola" takes me to

http://www.dabur.com/EN/products/Health_Care/Digestive/hajmola/

where I learn that the product is a "tasty fun-filled digestive" that has the following Health Benefits:
- Eases condition of flatulence ...like I needed to know that

- Controls Dyspepsia ...whatever that is

- Increases appetite ...that's working just fine

- Helps in proper digestion and relieves indigestion ...no problems there

"Pop a Dabur Hajmola - and enjoy the chatpata flavour that stimulates your digestive power. Take it regularly, especially after a heavy meal. And savour every bite with this tasty digestive tablet."

Fortunately the Dabur website reassures me that it is made up of "a mix of traditional Indian culinary herbs, spices and edible salts." Uh, I think I'll try a Certs. And if you'd like to see a funky surreal little commercial for the product, go to http://www.dabur.com/EN/Videos/Default.asp?ID=107 where the gentleman is Amitabh Banchan, India's greatest Bollywood actor. (He's even got his own website at http://www.amitabhbachchan.net/ )

At least the little foil packet only costs 1 Indian Rupee so if I don't like it, we're only out two and a half cents.

(Scroll to the very bottom, or press END on your keyboard, to see a link to PHOTOS from my trip!)

Announcing a new world's record!

The latest "Batch" of employees to go through our training scored a 99.03% on their Final Assessment. We had promised them a pizza party if they managed to beat the previous record, and they did... so we did.


I am very proud of everyone: Benny, Paresh, Prathim, Dheeraj, Mickey, Mohsan, Roger (especially), Pryank, Sameer, and Vikas, and (in the front row) Monica, Saloni, Lavina, Atul, Shilpa, Wayne, Kanull, Namita, and Nikhil.


Young people everywhere like pizza, even at three o'clock in the morning. These came from "Smoking Joes" and I can guarantee that they are SPICY! No pepperoni because Muslims cannot eat pork and no beef because Hindus cannot eat beef, so chicken and lamb pizza toppings (and vegetarian) reign supreme. Same thing at Subway sandwich shops (which I visited in Hyderabad) and at McDonalds (which I have NOT been to).

Time flies when you're having fun... or sleep-deprived

For the first seven weeks of this project we were working nights, from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. to better correspond with normal American business hours. Suddenly for some unknown reason we got switched to days 8-5 for a week and then, just as our bodies were getting used to the new schedule, we got switched back to nights again. Except that, after one three-day class it was Daylight Savings Time in the United States so classes started one hour earlier. For the remaining four classes in the next two weeks I will be training from 7:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. with a one-hour commute on both sides.

As a result my poor body doesn't know whether it is coming or going. Is it time to get up or time to go to sleep? Am I sleepy and I need to go to bed, or just tired? Is it time for dinner (just before going to work for the night) or time for breakfast (after work and just before going to sleep for the day) or is it just a snacky-hunger?

And the weird thing is that your "day" off is also from 7:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. and there's not a whole lot of sightseeing you can do at that time of day, and what there is might get you arrested!

:)

The last few days I've been crashing right into bed when I get back in the morning, not going for a jog and not even eating breakfast. But I get a good dinner (even if it is afore-mentioned hors d'oeuvres in the Executive Lounge on the Concierge Floor) and then take along a sandwich and some fruit for our half-hour meal break at 11:15 p.m.

As a result I haven't published any new posts here in the blog since last week. One, I've been too tired; and two, I haven't done anything worth writing about!

But I think now my body is adjusting back to "normal" << whatever that is. Maybe we'll have news on a regular basis again soon?

Monday Night at the Movies

I have really wanted to go to a movie since we got here, because the Indian film industry is just HUGE. They call it "Bollywood" because most all of the films are made right here in Bombay. It churns out more movies, in three languages (English, Hindi, and Telegu) than we do back in the States.

A new movie "Being Cyrus" has had lots of newspaper ads and posters all over the city, and from the reviews it sounded like a quirky light comedy, so I decided to see it after our city sightseeing tour today. The theatre is only a 20-minute walk from the hotel, and tickets are only 70 rupees (where 44IR = $1) so it was a no-brainer.

Boy, what a mistake. After an average beginning, and then an hour of on-again/off-again adultery, murder, arguing, weird dream sequences... I finally realized it wasn't going to get any better and redeem itself. I decided didn't want to subject my spirit to any more of this garbage and that I had had enough, so I walked out.

I went to the ticket window to complain but they would have none of it. A ticket sold is a ticket sold. So I tore up said ticket into little bits and pushed it through the window back at them.

The only problem is that this is the only cinema hall within walking distance (20 minutes) so I have to go back and buy a ticket from the same little man if I want to see another movie.

:(

Kind of a downer way to end a fun day, but it can't all be roses.

Remember the creepy broken-down house from last night's "walk on the wild side"? Well, I walked past it this afternoon on the way to the cinema hall, and it looked just as foreboding in the daytime. And then a man walked out the front door! Maybe someone is living there?

India never ceases to surprise me, every single day.

What will tomorrow hold? Who knows! Keep your eyes open.

"What I did on my summer vacation, er, uh, day off."

Batch Five here in Mumbai was Friday through Sunday, from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All the students did very well; their questions and participation showed they were following (and absorbing) the material quite well, and their high test scores proved it!

Brian and I came home via tuk-tuk, an autorickshaw. It is a LOT cheaper than the hotel car (only 75 rupees versus 1600 rupees) and a lot more exciting than the boring air conditioned hotel car. This is a picture of one parked alongside of the road as we zipped by.

I crashed into bed, because today was A DAY OFF! WOO-HOO!!

Woke up early this morning at 7:00 a.m. but, what with all the schedule changes, I am not sure any more if that is early, or late, or right on time!

Downstairs for a delicious breakfast buffet: fried potato wedges, a mini-quiche, bacon, camembaert cheese, french bread, orange juice, mango juice, apple juice, scrambled eggs with chicken/cheese/olives. I also had a chocolate milkshake, but remember that (just like in France) a "milkshake" is just that: shaken up milk! No ice cream...

Upstairs to brush my teeth and grab my supplies for the day: bottle of water, camera with fresh battery, sunglasses, credit card, and room key... and then downstairs again to meet our guide.

Turns out she is a pretty young lady who did a commerce degree and works in a tourism office, and who gives these tours when asked. Actually the tour (set up by the hotel) is free, sponsored by a handcrafts store. You see the city and at the end you visit the store and they hope you will buy something.

Our driver didn't speak much English at all but he was very safe (again, no seat belts in the back) so that was OK. Bremela made up for him, as she knew everything about Mumbai and could answer all my questions.

We saw the outdoor laundry pits where washermen from all over the city come seven days a week to do laundry... for the whole neighborhood!

We visited a large Jain temple, a branch of Hinduism. Jains do not wear leather, are total vegetarian, and do not even eat root vegetables, only those that grow above ground. The temple was interesting, all in marble and silver, full of idols, with people praying and chanting, and workmen painting. You cannot wear shoes inside, so we had to leave our shoes (and socks) outside with the guard. I'm thinking, "Those $80 shoes (that I got on sale for $40) had BETTER be there when I got back!" But that is what the guard is for, and that is what the tip for the guard is for. It felt strangly unhygienic to be walking around barefooted where hundreds of other people had walked, but the marble floor was certainly cool under your feet.

We visited the Gateway to India, built in 1911 to mark the visit of King George and Queen Victoria to Bombay.

We drove past the museum house where Mohandas K. Gandhi spent several years of his life, the High Court, the University of Mumbai, and Victoria Terminus railway station. Colonial British architecture is just incredible, and reminds you of how, at the the time, India was an outpost of British civilization. For more pictures, please see http://photos.yahoo.com/RogerAgness .

And just like the United States, every tour ends at the gift shop. The (free!) tour was sponsored by a large shop which sold intricate silk and wool carpets and also exquisite jewelry and handicrafts. Everything was simply beautiful but way out of my price range. I'll have to come back when I am married so I can be talked into it.

:)

Back at the hotel around three o'clock Brian and I had lunch, or was it dinner? The buffet was closing in just fifteen minutes, but I told the waitress I could do a lot of damage in fifteen minutes. I loaded up a plate with chicken curry, lamb curry, more camembaert cheese, pasta with chicken and cheese, apple crumble, and brownie.

And in fact I DID do some damage. As I slid the tongs under a slice of chocolate cake, it was more attached to the plate than one would think it would be and I slid the glass plate right off its stand and it shattered into a million pieces on the marble table top! You could hear the clutter all over the restaurant and I felt like a million eyes were looking at me, and especially the eyes of all the servers and wait staff. They assured me that it was not a problem and not to worry, but I am going to look at this week's hotel bill carefully, just in case.

:(

Take a walk on the wild side...

Today was the last day for Batch Five here in Mumbai. They passed with flying colors, and averaged 92.5% on the final exam for the three-day training class.

Brian and I took a tuk-tuk autorickshaw back to the hotel. It's much cheaper (70 rupees compared to 1600 rupees) and much more interesting than the boring airconditioned hotel cars.

:)

I cleaned up and checked email, and then went up to the Executive Lounge (my, doesn't THAT sound impressive) for dinner. Actually it is hors d'oeuvres but, hey, if you eat enough of them it is as good as dinner. AND IT'S FREE! I had two nice pieces of roasted fish, two chicken fingers with special sauce, two quesadillas with different special sauce, two olive-and-mushroom mini kebabs on skewers, two glasses of apple juice ("Sir, we do apologize but it is canned and not fresh. Would that be acceptable?") and one dessert... cheesecake with raspberry topping. You only need ONE of those.

I watched the sun sink into the ocean from the fifth-floor vantage point, and then decided to go for a walk. We don't have to work tomorrow (hurray!) and it is a real DAY off, not a night off. Brian and I are planning to go sightseeing, our first in the two weeks we've been here.

He had mentioned driving past a movie theater last week while out on a shopping expedition so I headed off. Down the big stone staircase to the big iron gates. Wave at the (twelve) security guards so they see you going out, so they will maybe let you back in again. Look both ways and step out into the street. Literally. Remember, no sidewalks!

Head north. Normally the car turns east here on our way to work but I am going to continue on straight.

A big empty closed hotel, the Tulip Star. It looks like it was quite the place, but is now dry and dusty with broken-out windows, watched over by two security men out front behind more big iron gates.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church and School. Closed now, but I peeked my head inside last week on my way back from jogging. I was sweaty and smelly and wearing shorts so I didn't dare go in, but the service looked nice. More big iron gates, but they were open. Tonight I was better dressed, so walked into the courtyard, and found a small cemetary... and a fresh grave, still mounded up and totally covered with bright orange marigold and carnation petals.

A little clothing store "In Top" that might have had some cool T-shirts with fun slogans and stuff, but didn't. But DID have a whole surprise grocery section in about an area about six feet square. You'd be amazed what all they can cram in a small space, even Kellogg's cereals and Old El Paso Taco Shells!

Vegetable sellers still offering their wares at night, in the dark, without streetlights, but sometimes with a candle for light. Mangy dogs wandering the streets. Families out for a walk. Men sitting in shop doorways discussing who knows what. Boys repairing shoes out on the sidewalk. A tiny tiny barbershop filled by two barbers and their customers, one getting a shave with a straight razor and one getting a haircut, which reminds me that my own hair could use a trim. A single lane street full of people talking and laughing, that cars and motorbikes are still barreling down, with their lights off. Ladies in beautiful sarees of all colors, bright even in the dark. A man sleeping on the sidewalk with a sheet pulled up over him.

Down and around, past what was billed as the bus station but was more like a wide pullover/layby.

A huge Hare Krishna temple that people were constantly streaming in and out of. I am told that every town here has one, and it seems to be just one more temple among many thousands here, rather than the weird cult like it is in the United States. Loud din of music and chanting... which was still loud in the little green park next door. Truly a pocket-park, I walked once around it and back out again.

Past more tiny shops and stalls through more streets packed with people and cars and motorbikes and autorickshaws, and through a couple of mud puddles, avoiding the inevitable potholes. (Did you know the "inevitable" is French for "unavoidable"?)

Turn a corner and past a spooky decrepit falling-down three-story house. In the States it would have been torn down and built upon, or at least paved over. In Europe it would have been taken over by squatters. But here because of laws the families or creditors can leave it just sit empty for years. There are buildings all over where the top floor is not finished, just rebars reaching up into space, or the front facade and walls not there. This house looked like it had really been something back in the day, but today is an empty broken shell. What stories does it hold?

And speaking of French, turn another corner and voila! Shopper's Stop, a three-story department store. Only open nine months it had ladies' wear and cosmetics on the ground floor, children's wear on the first (second) floor, and men's wear and sporting goods on the second (third) floor, and a new five-screen movie theatre on the third (fourth) floor that will be opening in just three weeks. And the whole basement floor was books. I was in my element there. Fortunately I only had 100 rupees in my pocket and no credit cards, so I was safe.

:)

Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is the center of India's prodigious film industry, so much that they call it "Bollywood." There are many cinemas and here are five more. Maybe I'll get to see the grand opening?

Nine o'clock and time to start walking back. I was only half an hour from the hotel, but was still light years away. I really didn't know at all where I was and couldn't have found a main road if I'd had to, but at least knew the way I came (didn't I?) and could trace my way back, so I did.

Saw everything from the other side, and in reverse order. It's nine thirty at night, and there are still hundreds of people out, of ALL ages. From little children to grandparents. And the little shops and vendors are still open: paper collectors, vegetable carts, laundry and dry cleaning, fresh dairy milk delivered to your door, photocopies made, and so much more.

I wish you could be here. I think you'd really enjoy it. It really is like living inside the Discovery Channel, or National Geographic.

Well, I made it back to the hotel (was there ever any doubt?) and am typing up this blog entry for you. More adventures tomorrow...

Some very sad news to share with you

This is a difficult day here.

One of our students named Sachin was killed in an awful accident last night. We had finished Day Three (with a pizza party, because they had beaten the high score record) and he had just dropped off a friend at his house, when a double-decker bus hit him on his motorbike and ran over him with its tires. His body was totally crushed, and his face was unrecognizable even though he was wearing a motorcycle helmet.

Sachin is in the middle of the picture, in an orange striped shirt, standing behind me.

The whole building is in shock and many people are taking off work this afternoon for the Hindu funeral. He was only 23 and married just six months. He had called his wife just before leaving the building to say he was coming home, and he was just 2 kilometers from his house. So close to home, and yet so far...

Life is so short.

In case you don't remember, or aren't sure, or haven't heard it directly from anyone for a while... If you are my friend, I love you, and miss you. "Wish you were here." I think you'd like it, in spite of all the craziness. (I'd even let you sleep in the nighttime, don't worry, and behind securely locked doors!)

I may not have been perfect at times in the past, but I did the best I could at the time with the knowledge I had in the place I was. I'm still trying to do the best I can today, with the knowledge and strength I have today. Every day is a learning process, and I am becoming a better person, and hopefully a better son, better brother(in-law), and better uncle... and a better friend too.

We do not know what tomorrow holds, but we do know Who holds tomorrow. Tell your husband/wife, tell your kids, tell your friends that you love them and that they are important to you.

You might not get another chance to do so.

Love from India, from my heart,

Roger

Just when you think it can't get any worse...

Day Three of our new daytime shift schedule went pretty well, and we got back to the hotel finally in the late afternoon. Go wash up a little, grab the newspaper to catch up on the world, and go down to the restaurant for some dinner. (Amazing, they actually remember my name from two nights ago!)

I had a nice salmon curry (certainly can't get THAT in a Swanson's TV dinner back home) with rice and some mineral water. The wait staff were all very friendly and helpful. However the curry was pretty spicy and when the waiter noticed the look on my face, he came over to ask if he could "cool it down" for me. He took it away and brought it back shortly. The curry sauce was still hot temperature-wise, but he had stirred in some coconut milk to lessen the spicyness. Mmm good.

I was now pretty tired and it was getting past my bedtime; remember that I needed to wake up at 4:00 in the morning to get to our new 6:00 a.m. class. So I paid the bill, included a nice tip, and waved Goodbye to everybody for the night.

Take the elevator (a "lift") back up the my floor, say "Good evening, sir" to the security guard standing there, and walk down the hall to my room... where I see the door standing wide open. WHAT? Who's been in my room and left the door open? Forget that. Who is STILL in my room, and waiting on me to come in and jump me?! I call the guard over and tell him my door is open, and to please go in and check the room. He just gave me this uncomprehending look, so I repeated my request, and he just looked at me, said something in Hindi or Maharati or whatever, and said something about "8:30" when he pointed at his watch.

It was evident he wasn't going in himself, so I called out "Hello?" and slowly advanced into the room when there was no response. Everything looked in place and nothing was ransacked: camera, wallet, money, passport, clothes were all where they were supposed to be. But what if he is hiding in the bathroom? Well, the shower has clear glass walls and there's no door on the fancy separate room where the toilet is, so maybe he's hiding in the closet waiting on me... or under the bed.

Nothing. Nobody. Nowhere. Just an open door. Once I was satisfied there wasn't anyone wrong inside, I closed the door and locked it tight, just in case he was still OUTside, waiting to come back and get INside.

When I called down to register a notice with the front desk they apologized for the strange incident. The door was now locked so I started working on email and desk stuff. I thought I heard a noise. No, it’s nothing. Keep working.

Then another noise. Coming from the entry foyer. Coming from the door! The handle is moving, and I hear keys in the lock!! The guy is back, and HE'S COMING TO GET ME!!!

I tiptoed over to the door, verified that someone was messing with the handle and keys, took a deep breath, pounded hard on the door, loudly shouted "WHO IS THERE?" and flung it open. Standing there is a hotel security manager in a suit and tie with a set of electronic keys... and there I am standing in my underwear. Oops. Uh, Hello.

Turns out the front desk had sent him to investigate with his electronic lock memory gadget... but hadn't bothered to phone the poor guest on the other side of the door to let them know.

Once I realized what was going on and that he wasn't going to murder me in cold blood (in my underwear) I recovered, and then gave him a little tongue lashing. (Looking back, I was pretty tired and cranky on top of being scared or at least nervous.) "Next time you come up to check someone's door and fiddle with their lock, PLEASE CALL FIRST!"

He sincerely apologized, I calmed down, and we discussed the unlocked and open door situation. He said he would investigate it and get back with me. I reclosed the door, relocked it, and redialed the front desk to ask them to PLEASE call the next time they sent someone up to check on an irregular situation.

After sitting around for a while, waiting impatiently to hear back and then placing another phone call reminder to the front desk, the Duty Manager finally called me around 10:00 to apologize and to tell me that according to their electronic records the last key used in the lock was my own. The only thing I can think of is that when I left to go down to dinner and the door closed, it did not latch and close fully. That much I can go for... but then how did it end up wide open and back against the wall, latched against its magnetic door stop?

So why was the security guard not standing right there to secure an open and unlocked door? Or why did the guard not simply pull the door closed, to secure the room? And what did he try to tell me in his language, that seemed to include the words "8:30" ?

Oh Lord, it is now past 10:00 at night, I am tired and cranky and just a little shaky, and I've got to get up at 4:00 a.m. for work. Please give me a good night's sleep...

"Oops, THEY did it again..."

Well, the plan WAS to sleep on Tuesday during the day, like normal, because I had been up all Monday night, like normal, so I could go in and teach on Tuesday night, like normal.

What happened wasn't "normal" ...but seems like it is becoming normal.

At 3:00 a.m. in the morning, as I was winding up the previous night's work and preparing to go to sleep before the evening's class, I got a surprise call from the project Team Lead telling me to be at the office by 5:00 to teach a DAY-TIME class. What?

After several emails to my other trainer here and to our bosses back in the States we found out that they were indeed serious, and that the local team "thought" they had informed us of the schedule change (oh, really?), and that Yes, we did need to be there in spite of the fact we would be teaching a class and would have been up for 24 hours straight.

What's weird is that after a trans-Atlantic conference call with our hiring manager and our supervisor (two different companies) we were told to go ahead and go to sleep, that the schedule change would NOT take place... and then barely ten minutes later we got new direction and were told that we DID have to go in after all!

:(

There has been lots of miscommunication right from the beginning of this project, which is not surprising since there are four different companies (and me) involved, but it IS surprising when you consider the professional caliber of the people and the reputation of the respective companies.

Oh well, what can you do when you are the little guy? "Yes, sir. Right away, sir."

So I took a quick shower to wake myself up, grabbed a cold sandwich from the 24-hour window downstairs, and called a hotel car... since of course no transportation had been arranged for us.

We got to the office in plenty of time and had a short meeting with the Team Lead to go over what they thought they had communicated to us, but really hadn't. Class ended up going well, considering the circumstances, as Brian and I were both very tired. I had a little trouble focusing on the material.

Not that this was any comfort, but the employees in the class had their hours changed too! They normally work the night shift (answering phones for customers in the US, so they have to keep American business hours) but for some reason on this three-day training they had to come in for a daytime shift. Great, now both the instructors AND the students are falling asleep in class!

Prasad looks half-asleep but Takshil and Shahab are feeling good!

Tuesday was hard, and by Wednesday we were just running on just steam, but Thursday (today) was a little better. Tomorrow starts another three-day class... and then we go back to the night shift for the rest of the project! Change is the only constant thing here.

Sometimes it seems the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing. Two previous times we have gotten phone calls from project management in the middle of our sleep time asking where we were and WHY we weren't at some important meeting, when they should have known what our schedule was and that we were sleeping. Again, all you can do is say, "We'll be there as soon as we can."

And now the strangest thing is that this last group got the highest scores on the Final Assessment that anyone has had so far, a 98.5% average grade! Shh, don't tell anyone, or they'll keep changing our hours every week!!

:)

Very happy students from our class; they won a pizza party because they beat the record high score!

"Oops, I did it again!"

Here it is Monday, our day off, and I missed it again. I finished class at 5:00 a.m. and got back to the hotel around 6:00, changed and once the sun came up at 6:30 went for a good run and walk on the beach and got back at 7:30. Checked email, took a shower, went downstairs for breakfast, and came back up... intending to take a good nap and then get up and do some sightseeing on the afternoon of my free day.

But however I was so tired from these six-day weeks that I slept right through the whole day and didn't wake up until 11:00 p.m. on Monday night!

People ask what we do on our days off here, and I reply that there is only one open day since we teach two three-day classes each week, and that, if you want to keep your body on a normal schedule, our free "day" is from 8:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. the next morning! It would be like an American worker in the States staying awake to go sightseeing from 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. on your day off. Not only would your body be sleepy and not at all ready to do anything physical, but there wouldn't be a lot of things open to see and do!

So here it is, now 1:28 a.m. in the morning on Tuesday, wide awake and ready to go.

:(

Guess I'll check email, do my expense accounts, and send in the weekly reports to the boss.

Then probably about 6:00 a.m. I'll be tired of work, go downstairs for breakfast, and then go to bed for the day. (Literally, for the rest of the day!) Then wake up around 5:00 p.m. this evening, shower, go downstairs for dinner, and head off to work Tuesday night. Hmm, Monday wasn't much of a touristy-sightseeing day off, was it?

:)

Strange, huh? But after a solid string of six nine-hour days, with an hour of transport on both ends, you get pretty tired and sleep is very welcome.

Well, I'll post this note and get back with you after class on Tuesday to tell you if I managed to get in any mini-sightseeing this afternoon before class!

Not quite the Black Plague...

...but I think I'll eat at the hotel restaurant tonight, thank you very much.

Last week there was an outbreak of cholera here in Mumbai that has sent over 300 people to the hospital. The government has been trying to hush it up, for fear of scaring off tourists, and say it is "merely gastroenteritis" but the newspapers (just like back in the USA) are being a thorn in their side and raising red flags.

It was centered at the Crawford Farmers' Market "townside" about 40 kilometers away (Mumbai is a very long peninsular city) so we have nothing to worry about up here. Still, I think I'll eat at the hotel rather from a sidewalk food stall today.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&country=IN&addtohistory=&city=mumbai

Fewer cases are being found so they think the worst is over. And suddenly the city government has found money to clean up the Crawford Market.

:)

Newspaper headlines from Mumbai!

From The Times of India:

"Arab couple held for 'indecent' act of kissing in public, deported for a lapsed visa."

"Peacock poaching parties create flutter. Birds being slaughtered by rich."

"Rubber bullets and colored water will be used on rioters."

"Students teach illiterate parents at night and score high marks."

"World's tallest man searching for love."

"Three western hostages rescued in Iraq."

"Good news: bird flu may not become pandemic."

"Prince Charles and Camilla to arrive in New Delhi tomorrow."

"Students fail exam, threaten to fast."

"India vs. Pakistant in big cricket game."

"England to have birth control nurses for all schools, even primary."

"Cholera outbreak or gastroenteritis? 300 fall ill at Crawford Farmers Market."

"Indian athletes win medals at Commonwealth Games in Melbourne."

"Guess who's coming to dinner?"

Well, the "who" isn't a surprise, because it's just me. It was the "where" and the "what" that was interesting.

"Where" was the white-linen restaurant here in my hotel: Saffron. "Where the Chef presents Indian Cuisine from the Royal Homes of the Nizams and Nawabs of Bhagyanagar and Avadh. Enjoy a delectable selection of juicy kebabs served straight from the skewer, curries and biryanis in a lighter and more modern approach to suit the person you are today."

Appetizers (or "Starters") included...

JHINGA SUNEHRI: Tiger prawns steeped overnight in a marinade of yogurt, chili carom seeds, ginger and garlic, grilled in a tandoor.

SAUNFIYA PANEER TIKKA: Cottage cheese cubes packed with ginger, mint and raisins laced in a flavorful marinade of fennel, turmeric, yogurt and asafoetida.

ACHARI PHOOL: Stuffed cauliflower, spiked with mustard, sour mango pickle and yellow chili power, finished in a tandoor.

LAKHNAWI BHARWAN ALOO: Potato barrels stuffed with cottage cheese, crushed potatoes, dried nuts and fragrant spices, finished in a clay oven.

Entrees included...

MURGH ALOO KORMA: Tender chicken morsels and new potatoes simmered in a rich cashew and almond curry, finished with fresh cream and saffron.

PANEER LABABDAR: Cottage cheese chunks cooked with tomatoes, onions and cream finished with dried fenugreek powder.

Accompaniments included...

BHARWAN PARANTHA: Lamk kheema, aloo or paneer.

ROOMALI ROTI (no description, just Roomali Roti)

RAITA: Pudina, boondi, aloo, palak aur hara pyaz or mixed vegetables.

The waiter must have noticed my helpless look when faced with all these choices and twelve more pages of exotic foods, so he came over and suggested the Jhinga Sunehri and Murgh Aloo Korma. It was verrry good.

HEADLINE: "Day-long Holi restricitions in Hyderabad"

Hyderabad, March 14: Commissioner of police A.K. Mohanty has imposed restrictions on Holi revellers that will continue till 6 am of March 16, 2006.

Off limits:

* Throwing colour or coloured water on persons, places, and vehicles or smearing people with colour, on public roads, and in public places in the twin cities are prohibited.

* Movement of two-wheelers and other vehicles in groups on streets and public places disturbing peace and order and or causing inconvenience, annoyance, or danger to public is prohibited.

* During this time sale of alcohol is prohibited. Mr Mohanty also directed toddy shops to close down. Wine shops and bars attached to restaurants, excluding bars in star hotels, in Hyderabad and Secunderabad will remain closed till 6 am on March 16.

"I'm leaving, on a jet plane. Don't know if I'll be back again..."

Good morning!

It is (oops) now 12:01 so I guess it is afternoon. I am sending in my hours for the last two weeks so I can get paid.

Now that that is done I will start packing. After that I will go downstairs and have lunch.

We are supposed to leave for the airport at 3:00 this afternoon. The plane isn't until 5:20 and the airport is only 15 minutes away. We get in to Mumbai around 7:00 something and the hotel is supposed to have a driver there to pick us up.

The J.W. Marriott is a verrrry nice hotel. Brian says it is right on the beach.

:)

It will be nice to visit a new city. They say Mumbai is not as developed as Hyderabad, and to be ready.

Brian and I went to a big museum yesterday. It was interesting, but after living in ThemePark World you get pretty jaded.

I got $100 in Indian Rupees from the ATM yesterday, courtesy of my Fireman's Fund credit union card, so I am set for an adventure.

Sunny day out. Today is "Holi" a special day for Hindus. People toss colored powder on your friends and family, and squirt you with colored water from squirt guns. There is a special one-day city law against doing it to passersby and people you don't know, but the hotel recommended we don't go for a walk today and only to take a hotel car if we need to go out.

Guess it's a good thing I'm not going jogging?

:)

I will miss Hyderabad. It is busy and the traffic is crazy, but it grows on you. How nice it is at home to have a car, and the freedom to drive anywhere at any time.

Recent newspaper headlines in Hyderabad

"9,000 child labourers freed, now in school"

"Salaries up 16% in I.T. services last year"

"12% of city drinks water with excess uranium"

"Wal-Mart may enter India with local partner"

"Staggered school start times ease traffic"

"Daily power cuts may last three hours"

"No trip to Taj Mahal disappoints Bush"

"Kite-flying banned as dangerous activity"

Our last class in Hyderabad

It is 3:23 a.m. on Monday morning and Syed and Kumar are right now finishing the review exercise for the final assessment, given at the end of Day Three of our training classes, so I am taking a little break to post a message to my blog.

Last night (actually Sunday morning, after work) on the way out of the building Brian asked, "Do you know what tomorrow is?" "Uh, Sunday night?" "Yes, but it's our last day at the Cyber Pearl building!"


Oh, no. Our five weeks here in HITEC City have gone by so fast. We have made so many friends, seen so many sights (well, not really, considering the little free time we have had with only one day off per week... which we usually spend sleeping to catch up on rest!), eaten so much good food, and have so many good memories to take home with us.


This blog is just a short glimpse into my trip here. Actually, we have six weeks left up in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) so there are more memories (and interesting pictures to come still) but this is the end of our time here. We have two days off (which will probably be spend frantically sightseeing) and then fly from Hyderabad to Mumbai on Wednesday evening. Thursday evening we will go into the office there to make sure things are set up and ready to go, and then classes start on Friday night.


There are lots more pictures available at http://photos.yahoo.com/rogeragness.
Just look for the orange, white, and green flag of India. One album has pictures of friends from class and one album is sightseeing pictures.

Can you believe it? My hotel room door just buzzed and the room steward delivered this nice bouquet with pink anthuriums... to me! Maybe they want me to stay?

Trainers training trainers... to train

It is the responsibility of Brian and me to teach the new Siebel software to the employees of the client company over here, and then to also teach our replacements. For the first few weeks we taught by ourselves, then once Kumar and Syed came on board there was a special three-week "Train the Trainer" session where (1) they observed us teach two classes, (2) we co-taught two classes together, and then (3) we observed them teach two classes on their own, giving them helpful critiques afterwards. This is to ensure high quality for future students, because next week Brian and I will go to a different city to train employees there.

Brian Covington (from Knoxville, Tennessee), KVS Chalapathi and Syed Asad (both from here in Hyderabad), and me:

Syed celebrated his 28th birthday while we were here, so Brian and I ordered three (small) birthday cakes from the snack place downstairs and shared them with the 35 people in class that day.

It has been a real pleasure getting to know these two men and working with them. Both have been working with Siebel software for many years, and Brian and I feel good that we will leave the project in good hands when we go to a new city next week.

My hotel(s) in Hyderabad

The first few weeks here in Hyderabad I stayed at the ITC Grand Kakatiya Hotel Sheraton and Towers. However, most of the guests were displaced by the arrival of President Bush's advance crew and security team. (Would you believe that EACH of the 65 sniffer dogs got their own room in the hotel? I am assuming they shared a room with their handler/partner, but you never know.)

:)

There is a nice drive up a slight hill to the hotel from the street. It is set back quite a ways from the passing traffic, which is probably good for security. And that makes it quiet, too.

There is room for several cars under the porte cochere. This is where our driver, Osman, would pick us up every night at 8:30 p.m. to take us to work, and then drop us off again the next morning at 7:30 a.m. One night it was raining hard (the first time in six months, they said) so the overhang was quite welcome.

The hotel was named the Grand Kakatiya because "Kakatiya" was the name of the ruling family of this region of India several hundred years ago. This nice garden is actually on top of the discotheque, which is below ground level.

After we got booted from the Sheraton (albeit graciously) we moved over to the Taj Krishna. It is a verrrry nice hotel too. I've never stayed any place so elegant. I am glad IBM is paying the bill, and not me!

This is the Taj Krishna at night. The light cycles from white to blue to pink to purple, and then back to white again. (I am glad my room is on the other side of the hotel!) Of course, we're not there at night anyway. And when we are, fortunately the curtains are very thick and can block out all the daytime light very well.

The Taj Krishna is full of gold leaf, statues, tapestries, and marble. It is a great place to stay. They make your bed for you, shine your shoes, give you new towels, and even do your laundry. My own mother doesn't do that for me any more!

:)

And there is a red rose in my laundry when it comes back, folded. My mother NEVER did that.

More Pictures from President Bush's visit to India

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George Bush shake hands at a photo opp.



The orange/white/green flag of India flies along with the Stars and Stripes of the United States.



President George Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shake hands after a speech.



President Bush tries cricket, but decided he will stick with baseball!

Mrs. Singh, Laura Bush, Primer Minister Singh, and President Bush appear to the public.

The newspapers were full of stories about President Bush's visit.

President Bush's visit, as seen by the Indian press

NERVOUS COPS CARRY OUT HOUSE SEARCHES

"A 12,000-strong state police force is being deployed in the streets and around venues for the Bush visits. A 300-strong US security contingent would provide both inner and close-proximate cover to the president, along with 65 sniffer dogs and 145 bomb-disposal teams."

IN HYDERABAD, THE GLOBAL BOSS GOES DESI

"He enthusiastically rolled up his sleeves, enjoyed the tribal dances, spoke to farmers and self-help groups and, hold your breath, even patted buffalo. Mr Bush made bold to pat a sturdy jet black Murrah buffalo. The buffalo, quite unaware of the significance of the moment, urinated when Mr. Bush and the Chief Minister came near her."

NO-FLY ZONE

"A clear blue sky awaited President Bush as the city was declared a no-fly zone during his visit."

"A JOLLY GOOD MOOD"

"The president's body language and casual attire were indicative of him being set for an informal day."

HYDERABAD TO GET US CONSULATE

"It will be instrumental in organizing trips for American digniaries, business delegations, and foster interactions between scientists from the state and those from the US. Also, the consulate will work towards enhancing the image of Hyderabad and the state as a tourist destination."

BALLOONS BANNED FOR SAFETY

"Director General of police Swaranjit Sen on Thursday issued orders prohibiting flying of kites and balloons on Friday during U.S. President George W. Bush's visit to the city. Mr. Sen told the police top brass at a meeting that balloons and kites may obstruct movement of helicopters, said sources."

LAURA STARS IN SESAME SKIT

Warm and friendly First Lady of America, Laura Bush stole many hearts as she made her first public appearance at Eagle Studios' in Noida on the sets of Galli Galli Mein Sim Sim, the Indian version of her favourite kids programme Sesame Street.

FIRST LADY MEETS SPECIAL CHILDREN

"Her hectic schedule included a visit to spastic chidren and the homeless at Mother Theresa's Sisters of Charity."

"GO BACK BUSH" SLOGANS FILL RS, LS

"Go back, Bush" slogans rent both Houses of Parliament on Thursday, as all extending crucial outside support to the Congress-led UPA government, like the Left Front, Janata Dal (S), and Samajwadi Party, stalled proceedings of Parliament, forcing adjournment."

DAY OF DEMOS

"Protests marked the anti-Bush feeling among Muslim organizations and the Left parties in Hyderabad."

DUBYA'S SOJOUN HITS NORMAL LIFE

"An old man sitting nearby seems to know a lot about Bush's men. "You know why they are wearing those dark goggles? They have some X-ray power. The can see you inside out," he said. How does he now? Well, he had seen it on the TV."

"I AM PROUD TO BE IN INDIA, SAYS BUSH"

"What struck me during the conversation was that India is a country that recognizes the importance of religion and people of faith. India is an amazing country. People belonging to different religions are so proud to be Indians."

HOMAGE PAID TO MAHATMA

"The US President and his wife laid a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi's samadhi. They also paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation. Not far from Rajghat, protesters shouted slogans against the U.S. President as a barefooted U.S. First Couple laid a wreath and showered flower petals on the memorial."

A RELAXED BUSH LOOKED MORE LIKE A BEER-BUDDY TO CEOS

"It was a U.S. President one rarely gets to see and hear. When George W. Bush put in an appearance at the Indian School of Business to shoot the breeze with a group of local entrepreneurs, and students of the business school, he did not give the impression of a man worried about his declining approval ratings back home, the continuing bloodshed in Iraq, or the challenges posed by Iran’s decision to go ahead with its nuclear programme. A relaxed George W. Bush, after changing from a blue-sweat shirt and trousers, into a formal three-piece suit at the ISB, with David Mulford, the US ambassador to India, at his elbow spent some quality time with the entrepreneurs. “He was great fun to be with. In fact, he looked like a guy you go out and have a beer with, or generally hang around, and not the most powerful man on earth,” says Sashi P. Reddy, CEO of AppLabs, and one of the participants at the interactive session."

KISS TOPS BUSH GIFT LIST US

"President George W. Bush left Hyderabad with an unforgettable gift: A surprise peck on the cheek by a woman self-help group member from Chittoor. Mr. Bush was going around the pavilion for women self-help groups at the Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (Angrau) here, escorted by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. When he arrived at a stall displaying forest produce, K. Nagarajamma of Chittoor in southern AP, a 29-year-old mother of two, told Mr. Bush, “America adhyakshudini kalvatam oka kala sir.” Dr. Reddy translated for Mr Bush: “Meeting the U.S. president is like a dream.” Mr. Bush smiled, nodded and was about to move to the next stall when Ms. Nagarajamma pointed to Mr Bush’s cheek. Mr. Bush apparently thought there was something sticking, but understood almost immediately. He bent down, and the petite woman reached up and kissed him on the cheek. Mr. Bush responded with a big “Thank you,” as everyone watched in disbelief. Asked later what made her kiss Mr. Bush, Ms. Nagarajamma said with a smile: “It’s a gift from my side!” After Mr. Bush left, the women crowded around the new star, who just blushed.

PHOREN PEDESTALS

"The lecterns from where Manmohan Singh and Bush address the press on Thursday afternoon had to be imported from the White House. Each podium weighed enough to need at least four persons to lift it and built to withstand a lot of pressure, even trom the speakers."

and...

THE MOOD AFTER THE VISIT: THANK GOD IT'S SATURDAY!

"After three days of ceaseless round-the-clock vigil, the Indian intelligence and police establishment - especially in and around New Delhi and Hyderabad - must be looking forward to this weekend."

QUOTES

President Bush: "India is the 21st century is a natural partner of the U.S. because we are brothers in the cause of human liberty."

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh: "President Bush has been very unchivalrous. He is not taking Laura to visit the Taj Mahal."President Bush: "Don't mention the Taj. That's what Laura has been saying... Mr. Prime Minister, if you invite me again, I'll go visit the Taj."

I JUST SAW PRESIDENT BUSH!

Wow, the opportunity of a lifetime! President and Mrs. Bush are right here in Hyderabad, where I am working... and I just saw them go by!

This is Marine One, the president's helicopter, as it flew past my hotel room window. I waved, and I think they waved back!


And this is both Marine One and Marine Two, or was it Two and Three? (Four of them were shipped over, disassembled, in cargo planes!)

More details later tonight, after I recover from my excitement...

What I do on my "day off" ...if I manage to wake up!

There is only one bad thing about this job... that we have just one day off per week (we teach two three-day classes: Tue/Wed/Thu and Fri/Sat/Sun so Monday is free) and, because the local office keeps American business hours, we work 9:30 p.m. in the evening until 6:30 a.m. the next morning.

That means Monday is our day off. Well, actually Monday NIGHT is our "day off." Which means after work Monday morning I come back to the hotel, eat breakfast, check email, and go to bed. If you keep your body on the same schedule it's been on the rest of the week, you sleep all morning and afternoon and wake up around six in the evening. You shower (just like you would in the "morning" and go down to eat dinner, and go to work. No wait, it's my day off. That means I'm free... all night. Uh, not too many tourist attractions are open between 9:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.

For example, right now it is 11:03 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Yesterday was my day off. But after breakfast I slept all day clear through until late evening, and lost any chance to go sightseeing. But then again, my body was too wiped to WANT to do any sightseeing! :( So to keep from changing my body's internal clock, I stayed up all night, checking email, doing expense reports, reading the Orlando Sentinel newspaper online, etc. It is now Tuesday morning and time to go to sleep so I can get up for work tonight. No fun.

Oh well. Now I must say that I did go for a run this morning about 7:00 a.m. through the streets, and I do mean "streets" as Hyderabad doesn't really have sidewalks. At all. Anywhere. Which means you really are running IN the street. Pedestrians are supposed to walk facing the traffic, so you can see what's coming, and here it is even more important: trucks, busses, cars, bicycles, cows, "autos" ... all are barreling toward you. Are sometimes there is a vehicle coming up behind you AGAINST traffic, and against common sense too, I would say.

It is much better to run in the early morning, as there is much less traffic and much less pollution. The little autos aren't exactly clean green machines. And offices don't normally open until 9:00 a.m. or even later, so the streets are relatively free.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS... AND SMELLS

This is a sight I see on my morning run down to Hussein Sagar lake: the local garbage truck depot. It smells as good as it looks, even from way up high on the railroad bridge that goes over it.

YOU ARE HERE!

On our day off that first week we were here, I forced my body to stay awake and I visited the India National Exhibition. I was pretty excited, because of the great world's fairs that are called "exhibitions" and because I spent the summer of 2000 working at EXPO 2000 World's Fair in Hannover, Germany. Well, this was a little bit different. It was large and spread out, but mostly all woven fabrics, saris, bedsheets, etc. Guess I was expecting pavilions, and machinery, and rides, and exotic things. It was very interesting and saw a lot of things I had never seen before, but just not what I was expecting.

GET YOUR POPCORN! GET YOUR FRESH-DRIED POPCORN!

This popcorn stand hadn't yet opened for the day. Good thing, because the popcorn was still being dried... using solar power.

ROGER GOES TO JAIL, SORT OF

Andra Pradesh is the name of the Indian state where the city of Hyderabad is located, and the A.P. Prisons had a small building at the India National Exhibition. Notice there an "IN" but no "OUT" ?

VENTRILOQUISTS and TALKING DOLLS

This picture is for my old housemate Tom, from Atlanta. He is a professional magician and I thought he would like to know that he could always find work here in Hyderabad if the market in Georgia "disappeared."

Well, that's all for today, Tuesday, February 28, 2006. Didn't really have a day off this week (that I was awake for anyway) so maybe next week.

President and Mrs. Bush are in India starting today and will actually be in Hyderabad on Friday. Maybe I'll have some live news for you then?

More new friends

Subramanian (or Subu, as some folks call him) is one of the trainers here at the call center. He was in our very first class, and is now responsible for teaching the software to new employees as they join the company. We will continue teaching the existing employees.

Durshyant Pandey was also in our first class. He really applied himself well and got a great score. He will be a big help to his teammates as they begin to use the new software we are teaching them.

Jhency is another one of our star students. He always says HI to me if he sees me in the hallway or in the lobby.

Mukesh is another one of the employees here. Here he is hard at work in the class, but see below for a picture of him smiling, and in better surroundings.

Most of the ladies in our classes wear the sari or other traditional dress. I snapped this picture in the little cafeteria on our floor, of Mukesh surrounded by four ladies from our class. He is one lucky guy!

Though most of the women like to wear saris, the guys nearly all wear jeans or slacks. But today was a special Hindu holiday and Jogesh decided to dress up for the occasion. He wore a long tunic-like top of a light material, over long pants. He looked great!

Every hotel has doormen to welcome you, and this is the doorman at the ITC Hotel Granda Kakatiya Sheraton and Towers. He is about six feet tall, and his uniform and hat make him seem even more imposing!

When staying at the Grand Kakatiya, I usually ate breakfast (after work and just before going to bed, at 7:00 in the morning) and dinner (just after waking up, at 7:00 in the evening) in the Deccan coffee shop. Here are my friends Johnson the steward, the head chef, the dining room hostess, and three of the other chefs. They make a REALLY good breakfast (dinner too) as I wrote about below, and included a picture too.

This is an "autorickshaw" or just an "auto." They can get you just about anywhere for very cheap. The average ride is 30 to 50 rupees, or just about one dollar.

Yesterday (or was it this morning?) because of "circumstances" I missed my ride back to the hotel with Brian so I had to catch a taxi home on my own. Hyderabad doesn't have taxicabs like we do in New York City and in the States, but their equivalent is still a bright yellow... probably so you can see them in the busy traffic here! They have a little engine that goes putt-putt up the hills. I always carry a card from the hotel so that if the driver doesn't understand my English he can at least read the address, or show it to someone nearby.

This auto slowed down as it saw me standing on the side of the road. His passenger got out of the back, and squeezed into the front seat with the driver. (Turns out he was friend just going along for the ride.) I asked what price it was to get me back to the hotel, and made an obvious show of writing down his auto number just in case there was any, uh, "disagreement" upon arrival. We took off and these two guys took me by way of roads and streets I had not been on before. After about twenty minutes I thought for sure we were lost, but the scenery was great so I just sat back, held on tight, and enjoyed the ride. And suddenly, we ended up right in front of the hotel! I gave them a nice tip, and asked if I could get their photo.