Unexpected 32 hour layover

Sleep deprived and exhausted from all our travel. Some of our group had to endure a night in Paris before returning to the states.

UB City

From one extreme to another, UB city shows what success looks like in India. I feel fortunate to witness this shift, but at the same time, it is difficult to see the vast difference from the abundant poverty to Western extravagance.

Hospital visit

Business interests

U.S Foreign commercial service and small company that manufactures faucets and valves in varying quality and price.

Target India

We surprised the Target folks by actually being early today.

It is 6 am in the morning and I found a cup of coffee!  It is exciting because coffee, has been a challenge to find.  It seems tea is the norm in India.

Yesterday was a travel day.  Our group took a 2.5 hour flight from the Delhi Airport and are now staying in Bangalore, a major IT hub in India.  It is also called Bengaluru.

Having a little free time in the afternoon, our group of 14 split into smaller groups to visit a market area, golf or relax.   Our hotel has a restaurant next door where most of us gathered for dinner.  Being hungry for meat, we ordered chicken, as the indian diet is primarily vegan.  Their spice blends are amazing and several found a spice market yesterday we want to explore again later in the week.

Today our study group will visit Target offices and another business later in the afternoon.  Overall, Arlene and Scott have done a fabulous job planning the itinerary and remaining flexible to the group's pace and learning interests.  To date, our visits incude:

American Commercial Embassy
United Health Group
Ravi Forgings Co.
A faucet fixture company
The Taj Mahal
Agra's Red Fort

Bengalore is known for it's silk industry and later we'll visit a silk market. For me, clothing has been a major cultural difference and I find myself scrambling to find scarves, loose-long tops and even a pair of black leggings.  It seems easier to fit in and dress the part.  No problem, it is a comfortable style and much looser than our western fare.

The breakfast buffet is ready and others are arriving ... ciao

Agra Fort with Taj Mahal in a hazy background

Day 2

Day two was filled with varies visits. It was an interesting contrast starting with a visit to the Lotus temple and ending with United Health Group. We were late after taking the scenic route past some slums in western Gurgaon. In between was a market visit and an Indian shopping mall.

The first day experiencing the different culture in India pushed me out of my comfort zone. However; it brought about the opportunity to not only discuss our societies cultural bias when it pertains to India but also different cultural groups. I know it has only been one day in India but I believe this experience will help open our eyes to cultural sensitivities in our society.

Delhi, into the unknown

As I enter my 35th year and our first full day in India, we enter parts of the city centuries old. It was a rather unusual day. In the past ten years, I have celebrated with some cake and a good beer. This year, I celebrate entering a new and wonderful culture. We did find a beer stand in the neighborhood after walking around after dinner. I wasn't let down.

@ the Amsterdam airport

Pre flight snow

I am glad the foot of snow missed Duluth this morning. Maybe 100 degree weather won't be so bad after all.

Packing

Thanks to Holly for the bagging tip and well under 50 lbs. My 3-1-1 bag is full.

In search of leisure

The adventure begins Monday April 16th

Duluth > Minneapolis > Amsterdam > Delhi / Gurgaon

The initial shock for me will be contemplating the distance we will be travelling. Thank goodness for air travel! The second will going from early spring weather to jungle like heat and humidity. Uncertainty and anxiety is the theme for this week. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the possibilities. I plan to focus my nervousness with enough music and study materials for the first part of our trip.