Okay so this week has been a week of visitors. George, the UK Director of BP&S was out, together with a couple of people from the Project Management Office. It was a busy week and we only had a few days to cover a range of subjects but it was very productive. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were late nights as we took the opportunity to enjoy a few beers and enjoy some traditional Indian food. Thursday our visitors returned to the UK and it was officially declared "an early night" night.

Friday night I was ready to leave the office at 17:30 (Although I didn't leave until 18:20 after saying good night to everybody) and I kicked back with a few beers and a movie. Today [Saturday] was a good day for a lay in, so I didn't get up until 09:30 and then went for a walk. I came back and had my lunch and then sat down to read my email. It was then I noticed that my DSL line wasn't working (Yes I am writing this offline). I called AirTel and was told an engineer would be with me in 4 hours. So I sat down with a book and woke up 3 hours later.

Still no DSL and no sign of an Engineer (See its just like home), so I ordered a pizza and sat back down with my book. Tomorrow is the Delhi half marathon and Chris and Sandra are running. We have agreed to meet up tomorrow night for a few beers and dinner and to laugh at there pain. So I plan to do some shopping in the morning, and then maybe some sight seeing before working off some of this weeks excesses at the gym (Ouch thinking about it).

I'll update again tomorrow, and upload when I have an Internet connection again!

Okay so today [Sunday] I woke up, grabbed a shower and enjoyed a late breakfast. Karen picked my up at 13:00 and we headed to the mall for lunch and a little shopping. After lunch we went for a long drive out into the hills and enjoyed some of the scenes overlooking Gurgaon. Stupid me forgot to take the camera however so I am going to have to go back again. Tonight we are meeting at Vikrams at 19:00 for beer and snacks and to hear all about the Delhi Half Marathon from Chris and Sandra. This will also mean that I can use Vikrams Internet connection and upload this update.

Tags: Beer, Food, People, Architecture

Well I have been a bit slack with the blog for the last two weeks. It's been busy work wise but I have also been getting out and about a little more. Now I haven't been on any earth shattering trips, but have been taking advantage of the restaurants, bars, and general nightlife.

I have been trying to leave the office by 18:00/18:30 at the latest, and for the most part have been successful. If I haven't gone to the gym then I have gone out for dinner and a few beers. Last weekend was spent exploring the traditional markets and shopping centers so this weekend I thought I had better catch up with all those personal things that I have been neglecting, like my email and blog.

Otherwise the weather has cooled down quite a bit here now. When I arrived back in July it was 37 degrees, today its a more comfortable 18. It makes a big difference if you are traveling around and means I can now sleep without the hum of the air conditioning unit.

I have also confirmed two weeks leave starting the 19th November. I fly back to the UK on the 16th and look forward to catching up with everybody. Well I am off to tackle my inbox. Take care.

Tags: Beer, Food, Gym

Okay so this week started out well, things certainly seemed to be getting better all around. Thursday night I went to Laurences for a BBQ and met his Aunt and Uncle who are out visiting, and to say goodbye to his Mum who goes home Tuesday. Friday however it all just went to s**t. There was just so much going on and going wrong at the same time the only thing I could think of was if it was worth all the stress. I was juggling so many things and inevitably failing at them all. Saturday morning I woke up still wondering what I was doing here at all and missing home and somebody to talk to. By Saturday afternoon however I had talked some sense into myself and remembered why I came here; because I want a good suntan, and a boat.

Karen, my driver, picked me up at 15:00 and we went and did some shopping. After that I was at a bit of a loss as to what to do for the rest of the day but knew if I sat in my apartment I would just end up working. So Karen suggested a nearby park (Leisure Valley). It's quite a large park, like you would see back home (minus the wild dogs) and it took me a good hour to walk around it. I can see why Karen likes it as it has lots of trees under which you can catch a rather decent 40 winks, and quite a bit of wildlife if you look closely. What really brought a smile to my face was all the young couple's sitting on benches innocently holding hands but sitting about a foot away from each other. Well they were by the time I noticed them but by the looks on there faces they hadn't been a few minutes before. I instantly flashed back to my school days when we all used to rush home, change, do/not do our homework and then rush to the park to meet our "Girlfriends". The big difference is that we didn't flinch if someone came close not even if it had been the "girlfriend" you were supposed to be with.

After that I got in the car, and Karen said in his normal unassuming manner "Where Sir now?". I sat there for a minute just looking out the windows. Karen waited a couple of minutes and simply said "Sir?". Karen I said lets go for a drive. It was like magic! As if I had found Karen's on switch. "Yes Sir", he said. "I show you". We toured round Gurgaon first with Karen pointing out the offices, funny he started out with Fidelity. He then explained the name Gurgaon. It apparently mean's Sugar Cane Village, and pretty well describes the origin's of this new metropolis. Then after telling me about all the other parts of India where there is too much sugar cane, he drove me into old Gurgaon. I don't know why but it reminded me of Hanoi in Vietnam. As I said, I don't know why, it was a lot cleaner and a lot more colorful. I gave the now accepted "Let's park" command and Karen pulled the car into, the well nowhere in particular position, jumped out and opened my door.

Now I stepped out and was immediately over taken with a variety of smells, most of which I will say were pleasant. Every car horn and bicycle bell were now going as Karen said again "I park here sir". I said okay and headed into the throng of people, rickshaws, and bicycles. Spices, silks, and fabrics of every color were on display. Together with pots, pans, religious statues, and jewelry. I wandered around, for the most part pretty unmolested until I came across one shop that caught my eye. It was full of small wooden handcrafts but high up on the shelf were too wooden die. Now for those that no me I collect gaming equipment. Dice, cards, poker chips, and the like. I was just about to move on, aware that I had only brought a few hundred bucks with me, when an older very well dressed gentlemen stepped out of the doorway next to the store. "Good afternoon sir, may we be of any help to you?" The most perfect English I had ever heard, even in England. "Are you English Sir, I just presumed that you were. Sorry if I have offended you."

I laughed and said I certainly am, but don't tell anybody I am undercover and I don't think anyone else has noticed yet. He laughed, held out his hand and introduced himself as Rajeev. I shook his hand and complemented him on English and his shop. In hindsight not the smartest thing to do (Compliment the shop) if you intend to start bartering with someone. Anyway he moved straight into the normal ex-pat interview questions, Where are you from? How long are you visiting for? What do you think of India? Do you like the food?

When I said I lived south of London in a place called Basingstoke I was amazed when he said M3 from Southampton. It turns out he lived there for 26 years and came home when his father passed on to take care of his mother. He is married to an English lady called Wendy and they have three sons and a daughter. His wife came back to India with him, but all the children still live in the UK. When I said I was living here he nodded and said it was only fair. I laughed again when he said, but the thieves in India are a lot more honest. He offered me a cup of tea, which I accepted (I hate tea). I drank it (slowly) and we talked for another 25 minutes. I thanked him for the tea, shook his hand once again, and moved on. I walked around for another 30 minutes and found myself (accidently) back at the car. It was a good job as I hadn't a clue where I was.

It was only as I got in the car and said "Okay Karen, let's go home." I realized that Rajeev the shop owner hadn't tried to sell me anything and I didn't by the die. So I guess I am going to have to go back. On the drive back I was in a much better frame of mind. As I smiled in the back seat of the car. Karen asked, "feel better now sir?". I was quite surprised that Karen could read me already, it's only been two months, but then again he does see me in many different forms and moods. The serious business manager, when I am with the team or members of the team, right down to the depressed ex-pat that is missing home. "Yes Karen, Thank you!" I said.

As we pulled up to the apartment, Karen asked if I would like to go and see a temple Sunday. I didn't need asking twice, I said yes. Karen told me about a water show that doesn't start until the sun sets. He suggested we leave at 16:00 so I arranged for him to pick me up at 13:00 so I could go to the gym first.

I got to the gym about 13:15 and Amit the god of pain was on duty. He asked why I hadn't been all week and I could only say work and parties. He immediately made me get on the scales and weighed me. He was surprised (so was I) that I am still down (69 Kilo's to 64 Kilo's), but never the less made me do an extra 15 minutes on the treadmill and cross trainer as a punishment. After weights and an abdominal workout where all he could say is one more, I agreed not to miss any more sessions. (I think I would have agreed to anything at that stage).

I got back to the apartment about 15:30, changed quickly and then we headed for the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple via Delhi, and the India Gate. and Karen pointed out absolutely everything on route.

As we got close to the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple, I got the impression this wasn't like any other temple I had been to before. This is a very new temple, in fact they are still working on it, but it is huge, and very impressive. I wandered around in awe of the work and size and enjoyed the water show about 18:30. I did a couple of the exhibition centers, but think I will save some of the others for when people visit (Including the main temple). There were thousands of people there, and everybody just seemed to exude happiness and contentment. I am not a religious person, but do have an interest in religions and the Hindi (Hindu) religion is certainly a beautiful one. Now the downside is that your not allowed to take camera's into the temple, which is annoying but makes sense, if you did they wouldn't be able to sell you the book and DVD.

Well I bought the book but there for photo's check out this link. Tomorrow I go back to work and I feel good about it. I think I have found my balance, and understand that I need "My Time", and will be booking more time off and admitting when I simply don't have the bandwidth to take any more on.

Tags: Relaxing, Shopping, Temple, Sightseeing, Beer