It's been almost a month, and that seems to be about as often as I get around to updating the blog. One thing that's certainly not new -- I've been keeping busy!
First things first: Here are links to new photos! Some real keepers in here ...
Mysore: Hometown Expeditions
Back to Goa!
Taj MaHOLY COW!
This past month has seen some cranky days, as plans and promises keep falling through on the business side of things. To say the least, those of us still here have learned an exorbitant amount regarding an overseas worklife. Cultural differences and language barriers have more recently been astoundingly good at keeping a slew of things from getting done right, or with any sort of efficiency. But this is why we came here, isn't it? To learn and understand; to work through and find a way to manage business and projects on a global scale -- to flatten the world. And in the end, we'll only gain from it.
It's winter here in India, which means our beautifully sunny 80 degree days have turned to beautifully sunny but pleasantly breezy 70 degree days, and significantly cooler nights. It's surreal to think that the U.S. is right now a frenzy of Holiday shoppers, Christmas lights, festive window displays and SNOW! I miss it all like crazy. But it's also kind of interesting to witness the season without all that. We'll see if my materialism fades.
Recent news:
-Andy came to visit! He managed to cover ridiculous amounts of the country in just 3 weeks, and besides his individual ventures we both went to Goa (again, for me -- had to share the beauty of the Arabian Sea), and then on to Delhi and Agra to see the Taj Mahal. And what a wonder it is. It's quite cool, and the smog is so thick it makes the Taj look like a castle set amidst a pristine misty fog, just like in a fairytale. But once you arrive in Agra, upon breathing you come to understand that no, it's not so magical after all, and instead of excited tingles, it causes a slight burning sensation in the eyes.
But India is India, and it will always have a flair like none other. It is beautiful and ugly. It's dirty and ... dirty. But mostly it is so very colorful, in such amazing ways that couldn't be replicated in any other place but right here, with this culture and congestion and noise and constant, constant movement. Wow, check out this sentiment! Might it have something to do with the fact that I have about 10 days left in the country? Mayhaps, mayhaps. But I won't be home until January 6th or 7th, due to an upcoming 12-day hurrah in THAILAND!
-A Merry Thai Christmas: On December 21st I'll be heading to Thailand for several days of sun and exploring a whole new country. Christmas Eve, which just so happens to be a full moon, will be spent on Ko Samui at the famed Full Moon party on the beach, followed by Christmas day on ... the same beach. Then it's off to a couple different national parks (one of which is underwater!) and Phuket -- one of Thailand's most toured spots and also the island that took a mighty blow from the tsunami in 2004. We'll end up in Bangkok for New Years eve. Not bad. Then it's back to Bangalore to grab my stuff, say goodbye to India, and hop on a jet plane to the U.S. of A.
Recent news:
-Andy came to visit! He managed to cover ridiculous amounts of the country in just 3 weeks, and besides his individual ventures we both went to Goa (again, for me -- had to share the beauty of the Arabian Sea), and then on to Delhi and Agra to see the Taj Mahal. And what a wonder it is. It's quite cool, and the smog is so thick it makes the Taj look like a castle set amidst a pristine misty fog, just like in a fairytale. But once you arrive in Agra, upon breathing you come to understand that no, it's not so magical after all, and instead of excited tingles, it causes a slight burning sensation in the eyes.
But India is India, and it will always have a flair like none other. It is beautiful and ugly. It's dirty and ... dirty. But mostly it is so very colorful, in such amazing ways that couldn't be replicated in any other place but right here, with this culture and congestion and noise and constant, constant movement. Wow, check out this sentiment! Might it have something to do with the fact that I have about 10 days left in the country? Mayhaps, mayhaps. But I won't be home until January 6th or 7th, due to an upcoming 12-day hurrah in THAILAND!
-A Merry Thai Christmas: On December 21st I'll be heading to Thailand for several days of sun and exploring a whole new country. Christmas Eve, which just so happens to be a full moon, will be spent on Ko Samui at the famed Full Moon party on the beach, followed by Christmas day on ... the same beach. Then it's off to a couple different national parks (one of which is underwater!) and Phuket -- one of Thailand's most toured spots and also the island that took a mighty blow from the tsunami in 2004. We'll end up in Bangkok for New Years eve. Not bad. Then it's back to Bangalore to grab my stuff, say goodbye to India, and hop on a jet plane to the U.S. of A.
