Angela's random thoughts

Ok, so I'm fired from blog updating apparently. My awesome, and increasingly multi-talented, husband has largely taken over, and is doing an awesome job of writing very informative and complete posts. But I'm missing my opportunity to shamelessly air the random thoughts that pop into my head (remember this blog is written mostly for close friends and family, who understand this key need of mine - sometimes taken a little seriously by other uninvited's reading my public postings). So, bear with me (or turn to www.cnn.com if you need real news).

• There are too rats in Palm Meadows. Sorry, but it's true. I have proof. It's still a nice neighborhood and I like it, but there are large rats and enormous bugs and spiders, and lizards, and mosquito swarms and about 9,000 ants and there was at least one stray dog last week. So there.
• Wade said it was 100 degrees in Pondicherry. That's only the temp. With humidity, it "felt like" 115 degrees according to weather.com. According to me, it "felt like" an oven. And I understand now why there aren't many kitchens in India (including mine). Why? Just like Minnesotans use the back porch to keep beer cold as extra space for holiday parties, you could just put your hot and spicy food outside to cook. Or stay hot anyways. Why do Indians eat such hot food? And Minnesotans cold cuts and cold drinks? Do people naturally like their food like their climate I wonder? But even the locals were sweaty in Pondicherry...
• We stopped at the gas station on the way home from work last week. No petrol here, no sir, the friendly guy told us. But still 8 people standing around. There's no self-serve that I've seen and no pay at the pump. And sometimes no gas. Retail has a ways to go though, if you can't manage in-stocks in one product.
• Last week I got sick for the first time, really sick. I even went home from work early (and the Company is still running). And woke up from the nap that was supposed to make me feel better with a 102 temp and so achy I could barely walk. And couldn't swallow. So I went to the doctor for the first time since Caden's birth (a big deal for me, but the deal I made with myself in exchange for not taking malaria pills - go to the doctor if I get a fever). We went to the place closeby that is supposedly the best. Without an appointment, they agreed to see me. About 7 minutes later, the doctor comes in with his coat on (it's night, and only about 80 out). Best as I can tell, he didn't wash his hands, but looked down my throat, checked my pulse, listened to me breathe, and then prescribed three different meds for a throat infection. At the front counter, I was informed that this visit would cost about $9. Well, I guess I don't have to worry about whether they take insurance. Or if I got my money's worth.
• And then Wade went to the "pharmacy" to fill the three prescriptions - there went another $3.89 total. Kind of makes $4 generics look cheesy. The pills were just cut from the pack - so I needed six of one and it just had part of a larger pack cut off. No instructions, no labels, no warnings, no color-coded ring....
• I'm not sure what made me better - time? Natural forces? The medications? Willpower? The overwhelming need I felt to get out of the un-air-conditioned, crowded house of maid/cook/driver asking me if I wanted tea and if I was feeling better? (You are NEVER alone in India - not even when you're coughing up potentially deadly bacteria. Only Wade, Caden and Sarah were sensible enough to leave.)
• Wade meant no disrespect about the puja room. To us, it's an underutilized closet, and never occurred to us in our inquiry to the landlord that it had any other purpose. In our house, it still doesn't. It is an underutilized closet.
• I miss my mommy. And SISTA. And my dad. I'm looking forward to you guys visiting, and we'll see you soon!! And don't worry, Wade still makes a good martini even in India. It just costs more. Ok a lot more. But the cashews are cheap.
• I say that because a lot of people ask what I miss the most. My family of course in quality, from my immediate family to all my extended. But in quantity of missing (if there is such a thing), I miss FOOD. So much food. I dream about food. I daydream about food and pretend what I'm eating is something different. Every morning I pretend I could swing by Caribou... he he he...where should I go for lunch? The cafeteria? Chipotle? Or the cafeteria? Capital Grille? Ok, the cafeteria. (I've eaten out precisely twice in the last three and a half months - neither place was Chipotle or Capital Grille.)
• The exchange rate has deteriorated (dollar that is) by over 10% since I got here. I think that sucks. It's like a huge pay cut. Makes me want to get back into International Finance and consider currency trading. Or perhaps some interesting hedging structures. Except that I really enjoyed learning about the LTCM crisis (yes I am that nerdy)... and those guys were smart. I guess I should stick to crabbing about the exchange rate. And hoping the Fed raises interest rates soon. But next time it gets up to 42Rps, I'm buying Rupees and selling dollars. Or something.
• We've been fortunate to take a number of vacations lately. This has been awesome, and around the office it's been clear that a number of people haven't been to Hampi, or Pondicherry, or Kerala.... I feel really, really lucky to have one year in India to experience so much and see so much, at times in a way that longer-term residents haven't. It's funny how sometimes you don't appreciate what you have.
• This is an incredible opportunity to experience something entirely different. Regardless of what I write, or how, I feel lucky to have the experience.

That concludes my two weeks of random thoughts. If you made it to the end, "hi Mom"!

And Wade is posting the Kerala updates soon....

Kerala Calling

With the hot summer heat upon us, we continued our tour of India and booked tickets to visit Kerala, a state to the southwest of Bangalore that boasts vasts amounts of tropical rain forests as well as mountains, which are cooler during the hot Indian summer. We flew to Cochin and immediately headed south to a town called Alleppey, which acts as the main port for the backwaters of Kerala. Our route was uneventful, except the traffic on the road was a little slow-moving at times:
Alleppey boasts one of the oldest seaports on the Arabian Sea and has extensive canals originally constructed to ferry goods to and from the seaport. The backwaters, which are comprised of a labyrinth of waterways and canals in southern Kerala, is a unique culture for the area where land and water are inseparable and acts as the Venice of India.

(Video of Allappey Canal)

We boarded a Kettuvallam, a houseboat created from a large boat originally designed to act as ferries and barges for carrying rice.

We spent the afternoon and evening relaxing on the Kettuvallam operated by Rainbow Cruises, which served great food (although they had to make an emergency beer stop along the way). Unfortunately, the cruise was not Green Palm certified, which is a certification that means the operators are trying to minimize their environmental impact. We saw only one boat that had the tell-tale solar panels on top.

The following day took us on a mountain ride to a place called Spice Village (See Video) in Thekkaty, located near the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Besides great cuisine, we enjoyed a bullock cart ride, an elephant ride and a boat ride in the Tiger Reserve (but saw no tigers).

From there, our trip took us north to tea country in Munnar. We did a home-stay arrangement (against the advise of our travel agent) and discovered the rustic style of experiencing India (no hot water for showers, really-really hard beds, bugs, and no towels, toilet paper, soap or top sheets). the scenery was fabulous:

Munnar is a picturesque little town located at about 6000 feet above sea level. It consists of sprawling tea estates established by the British in 1878 and was once the summer resort for the British government in South India.

The trip was a great way to escape the heat and, with a little Dramamine, proved to be a very relaxing and picturesque experience.

Pondicherry

After the hectic past week it was time for a little break. We chose as our destination, Pondicherry and Mamallapuram, in the state of Timil Nadu. Unlike previous adventures, this time we decided to travel by air in the hopes that, upon arrival, we would be a little less stressed and that when we returned from our get-away, we wouldn't have the car ride home there to dispel any inner peace obtained from the break. Unfortunately, there was the car ride to and from the Chennai airport, and while not as long, it sometimes made up for in intensity.

We were booked at the Ideal Beach Resort outside of Mamallapuram, which boasts some very old stone ruins dating back to the 7th century. The site, built by the king known a Mamalla, the "Great Wrestler" extends across a boulder-strewn landscape and comprises rock-cut caves and monolithic shrines, structural temples and bas-reliefs as examples of Pallava art.

(Video with guide)
Although it was hot (100 Degrees F), we managed to see a number of the sites

Panch Rathas: Monolithic rock-cut shrines called the Panch (five) Rathas (processional temple chariots). The place is named after the five Pandava brothers, heroes of the epic, Mababbarata and their queen, Draupadi.

After the trip to Mamallapuram, we headed north to the Crocodile Bank, which provided us our fill of giant reptiles, making up for any sense of having not gotten enough on the earlier trip to Kabini. We were very careful not to put our fingers or other limbs in the pens.

(Video of Crocodile Bank)

Our Second day took us to Pondicherry, which is the former capital of the French territories in India. It was established in 1674 by the French East India Company and, indeed, French is still very prevalent (we even had a few French tour groups going through that helped with the ambiance).
The beach in Pondicherry wasn't much for putting our toes in the sand, so we headed back to the resort, which had plenty for relaxation.

(Video of Resort)
Of course, what resort would be complete without the statues and shrines for the Hindu gods...

Freidman, The World is Still Round

Okay, like most Americans, we aren't exactly frivolous with our paper and printing. We have a Dell 725 printer and have already gone through both the cartridge that came with the printer and a spare that we brought along. They are quite small and, in my view, offer an opportunity for Dell. Before I get too wrapped-up in the printer, however, I need to back up to our first experience with Dell support.
With all the media activities we were doing on the computer (and the frequent use by a 3-year old), it was inevitable that the Computer would go on the fritz after a couple months. I was able to use contacts here in Palm Meadows as well as the Dell web site to reach customer service and, much to my surprise, had a tech dispatched to my house to do a re-install of the Operating System. The communication and follow-up by Dell was first rate (although, we still run on India time) and the computer was up and going within a couple weeks - yes, that is very good here. Having Dell in town was very helpful.
So we run out of printer ink and I am trying to order more. The Internet site isn't working for me (I think because the ISP is still a little funky), so I switch to Skype. I call the number and get "Hello, this is Richard. May I have the number you are calling from please," in an Indian accent. Hmmm. Okay, let's roll with this, so I give him the Minnesota number we use. No record.
"Is there another number?" "Richard" asks.
Having had the earlier service, I tell him my Indian phone number.
"Are you calling from Canada?" our service agent asks.
"No, I am in Bangalore - India," I respond
-Silence-
Hello?
"Sir (yes, we have switched and he is no longer trying to disguise the accent), you cannot order ink cartridges for India here."
"Uh-Huh, I want to order ink cartridges to be shipped to Minnesota, USA." I say as I swat a mosquito attacking my leg.
"Sir, you have to call the India service number." (Translation: I am in India and I will get you the number to call to do the needful -see Loud Americans for further explanation).
I get the number - a local number.
When I call (after three tries I am successful), I am told that I have to use the web site (the one that I couldn't get to work here) and cannot order it on the phone.
As it turns out, to get a Dell printer cartridge online, you have to make a statement that you will not export the cartridge to countries like India - National Security? So, one cannot get a Dell printer cartridge in India, even though Dell has a significant operation here.
I am using this as just one example of how it appears from the surface that things here should easily work, but actually are still pretty incongruent.

Weekend recap

As I mentioned, it was a big weekend for Target India last weekend - with our annual meeting and executive visits. After much preparation, all the PowerPoints ready, shoes polished, boards printed, speeches written, desks cleared...all that was left to do was stand and deliver so to speak. It was a fun weekend and all went well. Some highlights (sorry for the random order of the photos):

I had a one minute speech on Saturday (sounds easier than it is really) but it went well. Then, there was a lunch in the cafeteria, which was TOTALLY transformed for the execs (even the food was edible.)
I wore my first sari - with lots of help tying it from Stuti. Man is it great to have friends!! Here's a few of the best, Sanjana, me, Stuti and Tracy:
A full length view...
Saturday was western formal - and it was great to have such a hot date. Not to mention a little bit of new bling - some alexandrite Wade picked up in the market for me.
And I got to spend some time with Sunil, one of my great mentors from Minneapolis visiting.
So overall it was an amazing weekend - a great time to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year (even if I've only been here a couple months) and on what we are a part of for next year and for Target history. Even more than that, it was a great time to realize why we're all here - the amazing people, and the wonderful journey together.

Back to Basics; Our Native Village

With the Target Execs in town, Caden, Sarah and I (Wade) took the opportunity to skip out of town to a relatively new resort north of Bangalore, called Our Native Village, which justly boasts to be a true eco-friendly resort. After arriving, we took it easy with Sarah catching up on her journal, Caden catching up on a Dora video he had started at his friends house, and me on some sleep. Later in the afternoon, we took the opportunity to familiarize ourselves with our surroundings and neighbors;
There was a poultry research center nearby which exports chicks all over India for agriculture,the bullock which was kind enough to take us on a tour of the neighborhood,
and of course a tour of the resort. Caden's favorite part was the natural swimming pool which uses a natural filtration system to clean the water. Apparently, part of the natural filtration includes frogs, which we were only able to catch with the help of a staff member willing to chase one with a net.
Of course what resort wouldn't be complete without a calf along the side of the path to your room? Caden did pass on milking the little guys mom (the cows are behind the resort rooms).Other points of fun included; kite flying, pottery making and, of course eating (yes Ramkumar, the food was excellent!)

Wonder-La

Today we made a visit to the amusement park called Wonder-La. It is a nice park with one half traditional rides and the other half a water park. Lokesh had said that Caden should go there, so with Sarah in tow, we made the 2-hour trip out. After the first hour we started the "are we there yet?" and somehow the trip to Far Far Away started to feel a little ominous.
Once in the park we tried to go on our first ride, the log shoot, from which we were shooed away because Caden is not yet 140 cm tall. Okay, so there is always the Carousel, which we were able to ride (I had to convince the attendant that it was okay for me to stand next to Caden while on the ride). We tried a couple more rides, but although Caden could go on them, I was not allowed to join him. Unfortunately, with the grabbing and pushing from the ride attendants, Caden became frightened and would not go on any of the rides by himself, which meant that he went on no more rides.
So we tried the water park. The first hint that this may not work out well came when Sarah walked from the locker rooms fully dressed. Almost all the other women in the park were also fully dressed, or attired in very long 1920's swimming attire. Think of taking fully dressed Indian women and dumping buckets of water on them and you will get the image.
As the larger pool looked a little too violent for Caden (people dropping from different slides and elevations), we went toward the Kids/Ladies pool. But as Sarah was wearing a two-piece (very inappropriate for being in public in India) and I did not have the right parts to be in the pool (remember: Ladies pool), Caden had to go by himself. So, since Caden was doomed to have to do everything himself and could not be accompanied by either Sarah or me. The two hour drive was only for an hour and a half venture at the park (most of the time seemed to be in getting tickets and changing in the locker room). We will have to try the park when Caden is more than 140 cm tall or has a friend with him that he can go on the rides with.

Pictures from shopping

A picture from the successful stop - Hema, Nandini and Angela (Sarah taking the photo)... The choice for Mila (black border, red with teal and red jewels and gold embroidery)...
Hema modeling Janell's new outfit - bright pink and white jewels on teal silk. (sorry for the picture orientation)...
It was lots of fun - thanks to Hema and Nandini for being excellent shopping partners, and we really hope you like your new outfits Mila and Janell!!

Working or shopping?

Hello! Angela again here... it's been a while! Work has been a little busy, but exciting with lots of visitors (ok, every executive at Target in town). We're gearing up for the annual team meeting and lots of presentation moments. So... I could blog about working, or about the shopping, er, preparation to get ready. I pick shopping!
So two weekends ago was the first outing, guided by a friend from Tracy's team to get sarees, and blouses stiched, and petticoats, and jewelry and shoes. Last weekend was another fun outing with two of the most stylish girls from my team and our new visitor, Sarah. Our primary mission was outfits for a couple of the nicest ladies in Minneapolis (and anything else we might find along the way)! We started at Bangalore central and found some nice things, but our Hema and Nandini insisted what we were looking for was better on Commercial Street, and better prices too. So we headed over there and into several small shops (starting with jewelry). Our local friends poured over ever bead and stitch, scrutinized every stone, and bargained for every rupee! It was super fun, not to mention successful!We got a great outfit for Janell with tons of beading on raw silk, and (I think) a perfect outfit for Mila with just the right stitching over a beautiful red crepe. Oh, and a couple bedspreads in silk, and a table runner, and a jewelry set, and a blue topaz ring shaped like a butterfly...well, we can't work all the time!! But I do need to work early tomorrow... so have a good night!

Christmas in May

We have our first visitor with us for the next few weeks. Sarah arrived early Friday (4:15 am), but without bags. Those arrived Saturday morning.

I mention the bags, because Caden had been prepped by his Grandma on the presents arriving with Sarah in a care package. His eyes lit up when the British Airways people showed up with the bags and he did not take his eyes off them (except when he had to hug Sarah and bat his eyes at her asking, "can I help you open the bags?"). With all the charm he could muster, Sarah finally caved in:

Our cook was also in preparation mode for having a visitor (this seems to be common with cooks here: the portions suddenly sky-rocket and the variety expands significantly). What is nice is that I finally got Lasagna (my first pan in months and months and months); even though it didn't last long. Besides the cooking, we are also looking forward to a number of adventures over the next month and are even tasking Sarah with taking the lead on the final trip planning.

Although there is much happening beween now and the end of the month, these few days have been mostly spent in allowing Sarah to acclimate and to give Angela the rest in preparation of the events for the coming weekend, which will involve her wearing, for the first time ever, a saree.

On dumb decisions

Before you all start to think Wade is taking over blogging responsibility entirely (and doing a fine job at it)...a quick blog about bad hair cuts. Yes, they happen all over the world. Unfortunately, I can't blame India (the whole country) for this one... I think I own it. Having gone three months without a haircut, let alone a highlight to cover the mounting grey, I decided it was time. Besides, the executives are all coming for a visit next weekend, and I wanted to look respectable. I should definitely get my hair cut... NOW, I decide.
To refresh, we live out in the 'burbs. Going into town takes a serious battle with traffic most days and a discussion with a driver. A walk to the club house takes... five minutes. Having fixed on getting myself a hair cut, I ignore the fact that Caden's hair looks like it was cut by Edward Scissorhands for four seconds before he tired and forgot about the other half. I make myself an appointment with the same place. (Yes, friends, hind sight is a nice thing to have.)
I show up relaxed after a two hour massage (that was a good decision but left me perhaps off-guard) and settle into my chair. A fresh-faced 14-year-old (we'll call him Ed) comes up behind me, runs his fingers through my hair quizzically and says:
Ed: Shall I cut it straight?
Ang: (Thinking, what are my other options? Crooked? Curly? Maybe I should run...) I was thinking the same shape, just an inch shorter?
Ed: hmmm (more running fingers through hair, exploring this "shape")
Ang: Have you done this before? (Yes seriously I did say that out loud)
Ed: Yeah ma'am. (Picks up scissors)
Ang: (thinking, how bad could it be?)
Cutting ensues furiously.
Ed: Ok ma'am
Ang: Uh, perhaps we could taper this four inch cliff between the new bangs and the hair in back? (motioning to the left side of my new mullet)
Ed: hmmm (Cuts off another three inches) Yeah ma'am.
Ang: Perhaps we could do the same thing on the right side too?
Ed: Hmmmm (off with another four inches) Yeah ma'am
Ang: Ok, looks good (thinking please just make it stop)
Ed: See, I've cut fine hair before (proudly)

Anyhow, Wade helped straighten it out a little this morning with a few more snips. He even tried to make me feel better by soliciting Caden for some affirmation ("Don't you like mommy's haircut?). Caden responded with "I like it a little more longer." Nice.