Architecture
The Aliens have Landed
Okay so it
has been a little while, but I do have an excuse,
well kind of.
So after the visit down to Pune I went into preparation mode for Mum and Dad's arrival. To be honest there wasn't to much to do but I think it was the anticipation more than anything. So Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were normal days in the office. Thursday Mum and Dad were due to land at 10:20 IST so Karan picked me up at 08:30 and we headed for the airport. We arrived in good time and missed the normal Delhi traffic. Mum & Dad's plane had made up the little time it has lost and was showing on time, so Karan and I joined the mass of people assembled at the arrivals gate and waited.
About 11:30-12:00 Mum and Dad emerged and I managed to grab Mum's arm (Having pushed my way to the front). We quickly made our way through the throng of people and to the car, where we said hello for the first time in 2 months.
Getting into the car Mum and Dad started striping off the jumpers and Karan put the air conditioning on. The fact he and I were still wearing jumpers and coats and were freezing was of great amusement to Karan.
We made our way back from Delhi along to NH8 to Gurgaon with Mum and Dad taking in as much as they could. Once at the apartment I gave them a quick tour and settled them in before grabbing some lunch and heading back to the office. The rest of the day was hectic as I still had so much to do before going on leave, and to be honest my mind wasn't really engaged, but I struggled through. I finished at 18:00 and went back to the apartment for a beer and Mum and Dad looked a lot more relaxed if a little tired. About 19:30 we headed off to Harriez, a restaurant located in my gym complex and enjoyed chicken sizzlers and chips, after booking Mum and Dad in for a massage the following day.
Friday morning I left for work at 08:30 leaving Mum and Dad in bed. Karan picked them up at 11:45 and they met me at the office, where I learnt they had only been woken up by the cleaners at 11:00 (I think they have got accustomed to Indian life already). We headed to a local shopping center, where i showed them around the shops they would need before grabbing a subway for lunch. After lunch Mum and Dad dropped me back at the office and headed for the gym for there massage.
Karan picked me up from work at 18:00 and I returned home to find Mum and Dad well and truly at home with a glass of wine. After a couple of beers we headed off for dinner with Chris, Sandra, and Laurance at a restaurant called Park Balucshi where Mum and Dad tried there first Indian meal in India. After a very nice meal (if a little rich) we headed back to the apartment via the Crowne Plaza, where I had spent my first 3 weeks for a night cap. I think we sat up until 02:00-03:00 Saturday morning talking and catching up.
Saturday was a gentle day. Karan picked us up at 13:00 and we went for a drive around Old Gurgaon before having some lunch at one of the malls (McChicken Sandwich Meal). After that we took a nice walk around Leisure Valley Park before returning to the apartment where we had a few drinks and ordered Pizza.
Sunday Karan picked us up at 11:00 and we drove into Delhi via the Diplomatic area and Parliament house, stopping off at India gate. We then headed to Connaught Place (CP) touring the inner and outer ring where we stopped off at Blues for a quick beer (Well sightseeing is thirsty work). We then drove to the Red Fort but Mum wasn't feeling too great, add to that it's extremely big we didn't think we would have time to have a proper look anyway. We headed back to Gurgaon and at about 20:00 Dad and I headed off to Sweet Obsession for a mexican, leaving Mum resting up on the sofa. We returned about about 22:30 and enjoyed a nightcap.
Monday Karan picked Dad
and I up at 10:00 Monday and we headed for the Red
Fort, leaving Mum on the sofa still not feeing
great. Karan advised that the Red Fort was closed,
Doh!. I had asked him Sunday when Delhi was closed,
but I had asked while touring CP and he had
correctly stated Sunday's, What I should have asked
of course is what is closed on what day's, but live
and learn. So Dad and I stopped off at a crafts
market and has a 30 minute look around, but it
really wasn't something we were into. We then drove
to Lodi Gardens where we spent about 2 hours
walking around, trying to find the sunshine and
avoid the shade of the tree's. We then headed back
to Gurgaon on the MG Road stopping off at a rather
impressive temple on the way. We arrived back at
the apartment at about 18:00 and cooked dinner and
enjoyed a beer.
Tuesday Mum still wasn't feeling great and I had a stinking cold so Dad headed of towards Delhi with Karan and visited Qutub Minar, the Lotus Temple, and Humayun's Tomb. He arrived back about 18:00 and I was feeling a lot brighter, but Mum still wasn't feeling so good. About 19:30 Dad and I headed to a Punjab restaurant for dinner, after which we dropped in on Vikram for a night cap.
This morning Mum was still feeling awful and hadn't slept much so we opted for a quiet day. Dad and I did however go for a brief drive out into the country side this afternoon and on returning found Mum to be a little brighter. We are going to have another quiet night in tonight and see how she is tomorrow before making any firm plans.
Well that's it for now, hopefully a little more as the week goes on and Mum gets better.
So after the visit down to Pune I went into preparation mode for Mum and Dad's arrival. To be honest there wasn't to much to do but I think it was the anticipation more than anything. So Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were normal days in the office. Thursday Mum and Dad were due to land at 10:20 IST so Karan picked me up at 08:30 and we headed for the airport. We arrived in good time and missed the normal Delhi traffic. Mum & Dad's plane had made up the little time it has lost and was showing on time, so Karan and I joined the mass of people assembled at the arrivals gate and waited.
About 11:30-12:00 Mum and Dad emerged and I managed to grab Mum's arm (Having pushed my way to the front). We quickly made our way through the throng of people and to the car, where we said hello for the first time in 2 months.
Getting into the car Mum and Dad started striping off the jumpers and Karan put the air conditioning on. The fact he and I were still wearing jumpers and coats and were freezing was of great amusement to Karan.
We made our way back from Delhi along to NH8 to Gurgaon with Mum and Dad taking in as much as they could. Once at the apartment I gave them a quick tour and settled them in before grabbing some lunch and heading back to the office. The rest of the day was hectic as I still had so much to do before going on leave, and to be honest my mind wasn't really engaged, but I struggled through. I finished at 18:00 and went back to the apartment for a beer and Mum and Dad looked a lot more relaxed if a little tired. About 19:30 we headed off to Harriez, a restaurant located in my gym complex and enjoyed chicken sizzlers and chips, after booking Mum and Dad in for a massage the following day.
Friday morning I left for work at 08:30 leaving Mum and Dad in bed. Karan picked them up at 11:45 and they met me at the office, where I learnt they had only been woken up by the cleaners at 11:00 (I think they have got accustomed to Indian life already). We headed to a local shopping center, where i showed them around the shops they would need before grabbing a subway for lunch. After lunch Mum and Dad dropped me back at the office and headed for the gym for there massage.
Karan picked me up from work at 18:00 and I returned home to find Mum and Dad well and truly at home with a glass of wine. After a couple of beers we headed off for dinner with Chris, Sandra, and Laurance at a restaurant called Park Balucshi where Mum and Dad tried there first Indian meal in India. After a very nice meal (if a little rich) we headed back to the apartment via the Crowne Plaza, where I had spent my first 3 weeks for a night cap. I think we sat up until 02:00-03:00 Saturday morning talking and catching up.
Saturday was a gentle day. Karan picked us up at 13:00 and we went for a drive around Old Gurgaon before having some lunch at one of the malls (McChicken Sandwich Meal). After that we took a nice walk around Leisure Valley Park before returning to the apartment where we had a few drinks and ordered Pizza.
Sunday Karan picked us up at 11:00 and we drove into Delhi via the Diplomatic area and Parliament house, stopping off at India gate. We then headed to Connaught Place (CP) touring the inner and outer ring where we stopped off at Blues for a quick beer (Well sightseeing is thirsty work). We then drove to the Red Fort but Mum wasn't feeling too great, add to that it's extremely big we didn't think we would have time to have a proper look anyway. We headed back to Gurgaon and at about 20:00 Dad and I headed off to Sweet Obsession for a mexican, leaving Mum resting up on the sofa. We returned about about 22:30 and enjoyed a nightcap.
Tuesday Mum still wasn't feeling great and I had a stinking cold so Dad headed of towards Delhi with Karan and visited Qutub Minar, the Lotus Temple, and Humayun's Tomb. He arrived back about 18:00 and I was feeling a lot brighter, but Mum still wasn't feeling so good. About 19:30 Dad and I headed to a Punjab restaurant for dinner, after which we dropped in on Vikram for a night cap.
This morning Mum was still feeling awful and hadn't slept much so we opted for a quiet day. Dad and I did however go for a brief drive out into the country side this afternoon and on returning found Mum to be a little brighter. We are going to have another quiet night in tonight and see how she is tomorrow before making any firm plans.
Well that's it for now, hopefully a little more as the week goes on and Mum gets better.
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Old New Delhi
Okay so the
end of last week was hard work. Nobody really
wanted to be in the office and I was clock watching
from about 16:00 every day. Friday arrived and spot
on 18:00 Chris and I headed for a local bar glad to
put the week behind us. Vikram and Sandra joined us
an hour or so later and we headed for a nearby
restaurant for dinner. We finished up about 23:30
and headed for home having made plans to tour old
Delhi Saturday.
Chris
and Sandra picked me up at 11:30 and we headed off
for old New Delhi. We arrived about an hour later
and headed into the throng of people making our way
towards
Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in
India. Unfortunately it was near to prayer time and
was closing to tourists so we opted to come back
later heading of towards
Chandni Chowk, by way of
Chatta Chowk (covered bazaar). Once
in
Chandni Chowk we found the
Digambara Jain Temple. Unfortunately
camera's are not allowed so I can't show you just
how beautiful it was, but it really was.
After looking around we were all feeling hungry and Sandra hadn't experienced Karims, so we walked back via Jama Masjid, cutting through the main courtyard and found Karims without a problem. After butter chicken, mutton rice, lamb kebab's, and butter narn we headed back to Jama Masjid for a proper look around. When we finished we called for the car and sat on steps of Jama Masjid watching life go by. It's complete chaos and personally I couldn't take it for too long, but it was very interesting watching life go by.
We then headed for Humayun's Tomb, described in the Lonely Planet guide as a "must see tomb". It was quite remarkable and the symmetry, especially of the water features, is amazing to see. The effort put into these places is admirable but I can't help but wonder if they had spent the money on the country India might be a lot further advanced than it is.
We
were all knackered after the visit to
Humayun's Tomb so we headed back to
Gurgaon, via the off-license at the Galleria Mall
for beer and snacks. Chris and Sandra hadn't seen
my apartment and a review of some of the Wii games
I had brought back with me after visiting the UK.
Sandra and Chris headed for home about an hour
later and I spent the evening chilling out in front
of the TV quite happy that I had done something
with the day. Today I am taking it easy. The tailor
is coming round between 15:00-16:00 to do the first
fitting of my suit and then I am off to do some
shopping and get my photo's taken for my
registration tomorrow morning. Then I fully intend
to lounge about and chill out.
Why not check out the Old Delhi Photo's.
After looking around we were all feeling hungry and Sandra hadn't experienced Karims, so we walked back via Jama Masjid, cutting through the main courtyard and found Karims without a problem. After butter chicken, mutton rice, lamb kebab's, and butter narn we headed back to Jama Masjid for a proper look around. When we finished we called for the car and sat on steps of Jama Masjid watching life go by. It's complete chaos and personally I couldn't take it for too long, but it was very interesting watching life go by.
We then headed for Humayun's Tomb, described in the Lonely Planet guide as a "must see tomb". It was quite remarkable and the symmetry, especially of the water features, is amazing to see. The effort put into these places is admirable but I can't help but wonder if they had spent the money on the country India might be a lot further advanced than it is.
Why not check out the Old Delhi Photo's.
Visitors
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.
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.
Strange ways
