lazy (?) Sunday

The day started with some “off” time at the hotel pool. it was cozy and calm until the Italians invaded the territory. Finally came the ugly and old German, who took the stretcher next to me – thats when I had to leave for the tranquility of the air-conditioned hotel room.

After noon I walked of towards the Aga Khan Palace were Gandhi was interned. From there I tool the 3 wheeler to Osho a visit. Unfortunately the “Purple cloaks” wouldn't let anybody into the Ashram. If they don't want to – hey I don't beg for meditation courses with those people.

Walked some of the streets of  Koregaon Park, and some side-streets over there. Luckily i made it out of the “suburbs” again – actually it wasn't really dangerous but just dirty and shocking.

Seen the elephant again – roaming the streets – the holy animal had a swastika on its forehead – i know its an ancient Hindu symbol – just an awkward experience.

After a couple of kilometers waking the roads of Pune, I had enough and went back to the hotel.

Downtown

had an extended (late) breakfast today.

Went down to the streets and shot some photos from the hip.

At 1:30 JP came along and we took a 3-wheeler to the city. That is some kind of experience with the TRAFFIC right next to you – no metal – no protection. Can one get used to this traffic mayhem? After some hours of driving through Pune – I hardly see the problem anymore.

Went to the Shaniwar wada palace and hiked the Pravati Hill (and Temple). Actually we had to take of the shoes and walk barefoot within the temple. But the view from the hill over Pune was stunning. Some more parks and temple were on the schedule before we made it back to the hotel – the always waited and after 4 hours of drive we were charged 300 Rupees. The overall experience was unique (thanks to JP) but it also was rather exhausting.

Dinner at the Kabap King – delicious – for just another 300 Rupee.

Welcome to India

Arrived in Mumbai Airport 0:30 in the morning. All the security, swine-flu checks and immigration went quick and clean. Even the baggage was there – after all that troubles with the airlines – i wasn't so sure about this.

this  when leaving the airport building a wave of heat and damp struck me. about 100 drives were surrounding the  exit holding name-tags. I finally found the “PTC – Jochen Duerr”

Driving in India is HELL – luckily it was nighttime and not too many cars (or cows) on the roads. But still – it seems there are no traffic rules – don't care about traffic lights - just drive and blow the horn.

Fortunately it was only a 3 hour drive, others had told about 4-6 hours. So i finally arrived at the hotel at 4 in the morning. Everybody is friendly.

I arranged the driver for 10:30 for the lift to the office. and finally went to sleep….

The doorbell rang – what's that ? laundry guy – and 10 a clock – im overslept – had to skip breakfast – a quick shower was much more necessary right now.

got the security badge at the office and was introduced to the colloquies. nice guys – only understanding them is a bit “hard”.

We went for dinner in the hotel-bar - “pepper pork” – could have made it beter myself….

Airborne

didn't have much sleep tonight. Had a full breakfast and left the hotel at 7:50.

At the Airport now – and getting tired.

Still some time left – until the gates close at 10:35.

Lets have some antiseptic mouthwash – the Irish airline didn’t manage to provide a toothbrush. Thanks Air Lingus for the prefect organization and care taking!

Grounded in Heathrow

Air Lingus flight from Dublin to London – 1 hour delay

was impossible to catch the connection to  Mumbai – even though i sprinted from the incoming terminal to terminal 5 – gates already closed. Actually my flight was already rebooked for tomorrow morning (if i had known this before – i could have spared the exhausting marathon)

Pissed !!

Back to the arrival terminal – to let Air lingus organize a hotel. Was just lucky enough to get the last dinner  served – bad but better than nothing.

Had to conntact the indian colleque ( Nicoals ) to let him know i will arrive in Mumabi – 0:25 on Sunday. hat to get up at 4:30 in the night to call india at a decent time – 9 in the morning.

Lets hit the road

13:45 the bus to dublin airport leaves Galway
the drive through Ireland is relaxing - the weather shows is best - as if to make me stay.
internet on the bus (www.gobus.ie) - but the sitting space is not really enough to work on a laptop.
setup the blog
and mindmapped some ideas about how to organize the Transtion with the indian collegues