FRIDAY

Another hot humid day here in Mumbai..... nothing like the heat at home.....
today the traffic was entertaining.... Sharma (taxi driver) started yelling at a trucker and made quite a seen i wish i had my camera turn on.....
at lunch a old lady came in the "restaurant" begging.... and when to the guy behind the till and he actually gave her money.... then she went outside and asked the guy at the little juice stand and he gave her some too.... there is almost 10 little huts in that one little street.... if she went around the whole neighbourhood she would be rich!
A man sat with me for lunch and all that he said was accident pretty sure his leg was broken but I don't know why.....
Well over and out woo hoo the weekend....

Thursday

Well this was another great day. I finished my second project so that's great and started researching for my paper that we have to write.... it is going to be an interesting one.... well hopefully....
Today has been rather uneventful..... haven't seen anything shocking.... I think I am adjusting to much to the crazy stuff....

Had good old Italian for dinner last night.... hum mm hum good!
Going home to enjoy my left overs!
Sarah

Interesting things one might see in India

So I have decided to write down some things that I am coming accustom to here that are just not normal things at home….

- like Thailand there are families on one motorcycle
- men dressed as women
- Men riding in the back of trucks
- Cars that are supposed to be for 4 with at least 12 people.
- Guys riding motorcycles with there helmets in their lap not on their head
- Police sitting on the corner just hanging out watching what going on I guess
- Kids playing in the street actually in the street….
- People with no shoes on walking down the road
- Kids with skin diseases
- Kids begging at the window wanting what every you will give them even your sunglasses…
- Men selling everything you could imagine in the streets from mangos to tea towels
- Girls in saris and other girls in tank tops ….. everything you could imagine


I will try to think up more but that’s about all I can think of right know….

Sarah

Almost forgot wild dogs in the streets…. Crazy I know but lots of them there like little packs of dogs….. doggy gang….

happy wednesday

Thank goodness its Wednesday and yes it definitely feels like the middle of the week… last night was a bad sleep not used to sleeping on such a hard bed…. But its growing on me.

Today is early dismissal yes we get to leave early and yes everyone is happy about that and Wednesday is a good day for it….

I think I forgot to mention last week coming home the taxi broke down….. haha when in India.

Well another day at work just working away…. Had a club sandwich for lunch and it was actually not bad…

Sarah

Tuesday

Hey there well today was not really all the interesting... the only one in the board room today usually Harinder and the other intern is in here with me but they are both doing there market research.
I am almost done in second project which has gone much smother than the last one so that's great.
It is a little cloudy outside today looked like rain this morning but that never came to anything.

Had chicken fried lunch today from the restaurant/shack around the corner.... it is definitely a good thing I don't work by a McDonald's!!!!!

Well that's all for now hopefully tomorrow will be more interesting....
Sarah

Monday

Today the taxi to work was unbearably hot… like every other day but for some reason on Mondays it seems worse. The drag-queen we see every day must have been late for his or her morning return because he/she was in a different intersection…

Work was just another day, working on my marketing research for Triumph and the internet is a little frustrating at times but almost used to it.

It seems to be getting hotter and hotter and more humid as the rain approaches. Trying to get outside in the sun as much as possible, going to head to the roof of the hotel after work and catch some raise. Wish I could find a patio close to the hotel or wish we had our own private deck…. Well I guess we are students (never hurts to dream right!)

Well that’s all for now 18 days till work is over…. Yes counting down... hahahaha

See what’s in store for tomorrow….

Wowhoo THE weekend....

Friday night was a big adventure
After work Erin and I decided to go to the market. We had not yet been to this market yet and some of the other travels said it was a great place to go. Well as we all know getting a taxi is quite difficult they want you to pay over or they don’t want to take you or they simple don’t really feel like driving…… or they have no idea what you are saying and take you to a random place….. and that’s what happened to us… we wanted to go to Chor Bazar …. And ended up at Bindi Bazar which we still have no idea if they are close together or not but it was still a good market.

As Erin and I were trying on shoes at one of the booths they started pushing everything in and told us to stand back….. and by back they mean right up against the side…. We look over and there were two cows…. Both had horns pulling a flat-bead with huge speakers on it playing music with people dancing and singing and running around. They were on their way to the Muslim temple. There were people following it for so long….. a little parade something to see that’s for sure.

After leaving the random market we ended up in the same predicament now we were trying to get a taxi to take us to Andheri….. but it was 9:30 at night and the traffic was crazy. No one would take us, then we final got a taxi to take us to the train station and what was the closest station Mumbai central…. So picture Grand Central station in New York take all the seats out of it and there you have it, the same amount of people but all sitting on the ground waiting or running so they didn’t miss their train.

The local ticket booth was located upstairs, down a little hallway and around the corner through a single door. It was rather hard to find. But we made it and got on the right train and everything… this train was newer then the first one we went on and was not all that bad.

The purpose of going to Andheri was to see a movie at the fame adlabas multi-complex. This was rather exciting. To sit in a lazy-boy with a pillow and a blanket awe heaven! And AC but really really good AC. Friday was an eventful evening to say the least.

Saturday we went on a tour of the slums. There is the entire population of Calgary living in the slums here, its something like 480 Acores of land. It was really interesting to learn that there are industries located in the slums, recycling for sorting to melting plastic, to making clay pots. People from outside the city can come and work here and make money then send it home, and while they stay they can live in the business area, well most business men allow this so they said. The major was saying (on Thursday night we went to the majors house and meet her) that they are trying to build affordable housing for theses people living in the slums. If they do this 70% of the people in the area that they want to build must agree, and they will build apartments with running water and proper sewage facilities, but these apartments will only be 225 square feet…. Slightly smaller than my bedroom at home but for an entire family.

The way these people living is not how I pictured ‘slums’, there is little kids playing and having fun, there is no one doing drugs or drinking that we saw at lest. The big problem is the disease and having open sewers in the little ally ways between the houses. I could never imagine living in a little room with no running water with no space and no toilet. And living in the slums still costs 1000 rupees, and the guys that work at McDonalds make 3000 rupees a month…. That’s $75.00 a month. Though food and water is inexpensive transportation to work is expensive and living, real-estate here is crazy, rent a 500 square foot apartment that is not what I would want to call home for $650 or 26,000 rupees. You can really see the gap between the right and the poor even though they claim the class system is nonexistent you can still see it.

3 or the worlds top ten richest men live here in Mumbai, and there are people most likely right around the corner from their homes dying from malnutrition or disease.

It’s a complex world.

Sunday was great got out of the hustle and bustle of the city with still being in the city. Spent the day at the Sand and Sun hotel in the outdoor pool and enjoyed the sun and relaxation without people hassling us to buy something or take our picture. And from the pool there was a great ocean view. It looked very nice from the pool but once you get close to the beach and see the garbage again you remember that yes you are still in India. But it was a great day of relaxing in the pool. PS. Lots of French people.

Sarah

FRIDAY.... WORK

Friday like every day was rather eventful... today we did market research (so we didn't go to the office at all...) some would be happy about this though sitting in a taxi for most of the day driving from one store to another turns out to be a little tiring in this heat.

After attempting to call a number of different stores and get the wrong number or no answer. We hit the road. We found one store still open..... and the address that we had for it was even wrong..... but that is not as surprising now. After we travelled to a mall where another store was located..... well was supposed to be..... and the lady at the information desk made a few phone calls for us and yes all the other stores are closed. Can you believe it. Harinders project on STRAPS and there are no stores open in the city anymore..... slightly entertaining!

Thursday

Today at work I started my second project of the company on Triumph International… another underwear company that being in India is a huge thing because the garments are rather promiscuous. So it has turned out to be very interesting. It is getting hotter everyday well so it feels…. Peanut butter and jam sandwich for lunch today it was fantastic great English white bread actually made with egg!!!!

I feel tired today and cannot wait for the weekend, this week has gone by fast again so that’s great and doing a lot of things, well so it feels. Tonight I am going to organize my stuff back at the hotel because here that is the only thing one can keep organized and clean!

There are many great things about India and I see the great potential it has…..

Going to start writing my paper soon better get cracking on that otherwise I might run out of time… must find the library and enjoy so silence…. I wonder if the libraries are even quite…. Well we are just going to have to see!

Report back tomorrow…..

Wednesday!!!!

Today was rather uneventful at work…. Finished my first project up and going to start my second project tomorrow.

Something interesting that I see everyday in a man …. Who is dressed as a women that walks through the traffic wearing a sari (transvestite). Today I also saw this man, like everyday, but I also saw another man but he was in his 50s who was also dressed as a woman… something you can find all over the world no matter what culture. Interesting…

One the way home there was 2 little boys standing at my window in the taxi wanting 1 rupee…. That’s 2.5 cents Canadian…. I said no they kept asking as they always do… then another boy came over and said “Please 10 rupees”…. I started laughing at him and he was laughing, I said no (like always) then he said “fine no money but what about your glasses?”….. I gave him a high five and he held my hand and ran beside the moving taxi for quite sometime…. I cannot get over how happy these little kids can be with no shoes on, no education most likely no bed to sleep in at night… “everyone smiles in the same language…”

The guest speaker was extremely interesting he was from the Canadian consulate and had great insight to India. He has lots of great things to say and some bad. Listening to him really put a lot of things into perspective. He also had many facts about India which was also great to here. “Every 6 weeks a billionaire is born in India…. 1 out of every 5 children born in the world is India… If your not coming to India, India is coming to you!”

Well I will leave it at that! Sarah

Tuesday

well another productive day at work nothing to exciting to report about today. Had butter chicken for the first time in 1 and a half weeks..... haven't decided if that's a good thing or not yet.... it is extremely hot and Sharma (taxi driver) said it's because of the rain in Delhi.... but who really knows.... going back to the hotel tonight to portion my money so I don't run out.... and just going to take it easy and rest up! Hopefully find camels on the sea face tonight, figures crossed!
hopefully tomorrow will be more exciting Sarah

Rock N Roll TV audience

Last night we went to the filming of a show called rock n roll... it was a dance reality show/competition, where families compete and each week one family gets eliminated. This was good fun, but unfortunately it was Monday night, everyone was tired and it was extremely hot though air conditioned, the lights made it very hot. Plus I was sitting with people that were complaining the entire time and not enjoying the moment or sucking it up. Something that we thought was going to be one hour turned into three....
Everyone was complaining to each other and I needed to eat and go to bed.... its unfortunate that it was on a Monday because if it was closer to the weekend i think everyone would have actually had a good time and not complained the whole time......
Being around people all the time constantly and never having alone time sometimes gets to me and last night was one of thoughts nights..... I just want to eat..... I don't want to wait for everyone to decide where to go because it only takes 20 minutes to figure out then we have to get a taxi then we have to get there then get a table then order by the time we get home its 11:30 pm.... by the time I get organized and fall asleep its 1:30am.... then I am up at 7:20 am...... so frustrated with the group yesterday not India so that's a change... ha ha
well that's all about last night

Another Monday

Today I was alone at work again, but I accompilshed quite a bit of work so that is good... at lunch I went to the same place as we have gone before (its on the side of the road and is more like a shack then a building...) and for the first time the man sitting at the counter spoke to me! he was very plessent. I was sitting by the kitchen today have never been at that table before and the man who was organizing the kitchen came out and took my order instead of having to make me wait for a server... so today so far has been a good one I think I am almost over stage 3 of culture shock hopefully soon.
Sarah
PS tonight we are going to see the filming of a TV show so that should be interesting... report tommorrow....

Goa

When In Goa wear sunscreen.....
The weekend was spent in Goa, it was fantastic, great food great beach and there was few people that really saved me for having a mental brake down for Mumbai. While we were on the beach there was a number of ladies that were selling things that came over and approached the girls and commented on what nice white skin they have.... the total opposite from at home..... pasty white skin here is a great thing...
There were also once again many people taking photos of us this does not bother me but some of the other girls get really creaped out about it.... I feel that it gives me more of a right to take pictures of them.... and I think it is rather funny when they ask and I respond 50rs. Try to lighten the moment....
There was one family of about 12 that were staying at the same hotel with a little boy and little girl and before we left they asked me to take a picture with their kids I was flattered really... then when I had all my bags and was leaving and waved the little boy about 3 years old I would say came over and gave me a hug and kiss.... very cute.... well that's about it for that one...

When in India the Internet does not work again.... Thursday!

Haha. Well again the internet was down on thursday and the computer needs so serious help.... but we know the slow rate that everything gets done so I will be shocked if it is fixed any time soon....
So Thursday was spent doing marketing research, going to the different stores that care the brands we are doing research on and find out a little more than what the Internet has to offer.
The one really interesting part of the day was going into the Jockey store on Link Road to talk to the manager, but we had to wait till she was finished her prays. It was really interesting she light incense then walked around the store then went outside and went up and down the door. I am unsure what she was actually doing but it appeared she was blessing the store. Everyone was extremely helpful today and its a short week going to Goa on the weekend.

Wednesday

today was a better day, nothing really exciting was extremely productive at work got lots done, so thats good. Everyone is getting excited for the weekend.... and I am extremely excited! I am still not feeling 100% just drinking lots of water at the moment.
I slept all the way to work today, bumpy but good nap.
Having another guest speaker today that should be interesting.
Say yeah not much to report....
over and out
Sarah

Tuesday

Well today is the day I give up eating.... I went shopping for food lastnight and got some staples. Corn Flaxes, penut butter and jam, granola bars and thats what I think I will be living off of, but I was still sick after lunch today my tummy just does not like me at all. Work was ok, I am a little confussed to be reporting to two people and explaining everything two times to both of them but this is how they perfer. As well as the fact that they speak hindi to Harinder and I have absolutely no idea what is going on and wish I was with someone that understood how I was feeling and the adjustment factor. But we will see what tomorrow brings. Back to the hotel to the AC!
Sarah

Monday.....

Monday no matter what you are doing are usually never good.... getting up this morning was difficult for everyone I think. I slept in the steaming taxi the whole way to work, and its not that I went to bed late because I was in bed at 9:30pm I think it might be the food. It is hard to get used to and my body can't handle spicy food and most India food is spicy. I am feeling extremely ill at the moment lunch is not sitting in my stomach, had mystery lunch today because I don't know what anything on the menu every is... ha ha well hopefully it will go away.... but for now that's all I can think about.... getting used to the food is extremely difficult. I think I will be going to the Hard Rock Cafe more often.....
Sick Sarah reporting the day

May 10/11 to weekend

The weekend was definitely eventful. Friday night we went on an outing and had dinner at Hard Rock Cafe... good old American food! It was extremely busy and very entertaining.
Saturday we went on a day trip to Elephanta were there were monkeys everywhere and old water caves that had carvings of Budha and others inside.
Sunday was spent on another adventure to the other side of the city, we when to Essel World, which is like Disneyland... and spent the day at the water park which was great.... worth every penny spent on getting there.
Sarah

Its almost Friday Woohoo

Well another interesting day at the office...
Harinder was 30 minutes late which made me a little mad but he was stuck in traffic so what can you do?
We came to the conclusion that the topic that we started was impossible as well.... so now we have new ones and I am going to do it if it takes everything I have.... I don't want to have to change it again...
Next door to the office is a workshop place and today they were cutting steel rodes with a very old machine and they guys that were doing to had sandals on....
On the way to work this morning there was a boy no older than 4 doing construction....
And the lady with the drums at the end of the street were we work was there again but today she had a baby with her....
Going to Linken St. market today after work hopefully get a shirt to wear to work.....
over and out

Wednesday the sun is shinning

Well today was another fun filled day. I have come to work by myself because Herinders family came down today. I did some research on Esprit and read a book that analysis the textile market in India that was full of interesting information about the revolution and all the changes that have been occurring in the last few years. The man that we are reporting to (still unsure of his name) was still condescending, but I am going to smile though it and not let him walk all over me. Today at the end of the day he told me a need to pick up the pace... I replied well I am going as fast as I can (which I am).
I ventured out for lunch by myself for the first time and met a nice man from Deli who sat with me. That doesn't happen very often they usually just stare and don't even smile. (lol).
There was also two people dressed up (it reminded me of traditional aboriginals from Australia) there were playing music and dancing while asking people for money.
Well that's all for now Sarah

The Internet was down last night... welcome to India

As we are coming accustom to things not working 100% all the time and yesterday was a day full of this. We arrived to work early and sweaty after the hour and 15 minute taxi ride. And spent most of the day waiting for the IT department to get the Internet up and running. While waiting we were called into Sunils office (he is the one to the two sons of the founder of the company). And had an interesting conversation with him about Maxwell and how the company is vertically integrated and was almost a monopoly until a few years ago. When India saw many changes occurring in the market, one main factor being the end of the restrictions against the size of the factories. (Meaning now they are able to have large factories that can effectively do every stage of production, equally low costs I would imagine). Sunil is an extremely nice man and I fell that he maybe some what of a celebrate here).
After lunch the man that we are reporting to was not as friendly as one could be and was questioning why we came in at 10 am not at 9 am and were we were ... and we were with the big boss... this was frustrating because we has already made an agreement with the HR guy Mr. Munther... (not sure on the spelling) that we would work from 10 am to 5 pm. The communication here must be a little off.
But then we agreed on 9 30 am because we are travelling with Chris and Nathan that start at the time, so hopefully that is organized now.
Then we discussed Maxwell and the 4 main brands that they are involved with. (Frenchie, Frenchie X, VIP underwear, VIP feeling).
When we final had the Internet up and running the main guy we are reporting to say "well because you didn't do much today you can stay till 6:30pm" I didn't even thing and "no" just came out of my mouth and then I explained that we were finished for the day.
So the first few days were not all the great. I feel like I am a burden and they don't have time and they expect more that we can give. But hopefully tomorrow (or today) will be a better day!
Sarah signing off

First Day of Work...

Today as everyday so far has been interesting...
Work was a little unorganized and I was not as prepared are they thought we would be...
The HR guy was good, and interduced us to everyone in the company (at least on that campus, as he called it). The first project that they gave us was interesting.... I was extremely confussed as to what they wanted but it was along the lines of how should they do business in India, what is good, how many stores should they have and where? I dont really know but we changed that after.
So we are doing a Market analysis on 4 companies that operate in both Canada and India, comparing them.
There was a lot of sitting around and waiting today, and a lack of direction.
Another thing that I realized was that I am in a mans world here, there was only two woman that were not secetaries. And when we went for lunch all the men were outside but there was not every many woman... most likely 1/25
Also I felt when we were being introduced to everyone I had to put my hand out and be much more egressive. Well lets see what tomorrow brings.