Yes I know it has been awhile since my last blog. Since our August trip, I have been back in the US due to some startup delays and immigration issues. Yes…that is right, I am having immigration issues. Getting the right VISAs with the proper support. It can be time consuming. At least when it comes to government work, India does not allow digital signatures on documents. So I have learned what an apostille is (not apostle unfortunately). An apostille is a government notary from your state certifying the notary that signed your signed document (Confused yet) is legal. So that can take a week to a month depending on which jurisdiction you are in. And then you have to sign in blue ink only. And then you need a company stamp (which you could probably have made at amazon for $5 but it looks oh so official). Regardless to say, things move yet not too quickly…hmm sounds like traffic in India.
So I found myself back in Pune this past week for a whirlwind of a trip. Nonstop meetings as usual but wanted to highlight three items of interest.
First – I often get questions of “what do you do for a living” “what is GIPS” “why does your job sound so boring that within 15 seconds of you describing it I start thinking of what my next meal is”. Well I will save another blog for that answer. But this you will find interesting. This week I got to make the BIG DOLLAR decisions of such things as – desk colors (gasp). Carpet color (gasp). Which desk chairs should we order (yes). And of course my favorite – finding out how we can fit as many toilets in to a smaller space as possible and still meet all requirements. Suffice it to say, I did it all fairly quickly and as you can see in the photos with an audience of about 15 people staring. Just like when I go to the mall with my wife and within 15 minutes I am asking when we can leave, I did my most efficient selection process ever. I did consider and think about the options but really….all of the 6 chair choices for example looked and felt the same. Anyway something I haven’t been able to do in my 20 year career yet but now I not only shop for my home but for my firm as well!
Second – I had a lovely invitation to one of my colleague’s home for my first real homemade Indian lunch. It was fantastic and “all veg” – that is right mom I am getting my veggies (And then some) over here. It was a great meal and they even toned down the spices for me. I enjoyed getting to see how someone local lives and was struck by how close families are knit and how multi generations live together. The food was fantastic with cooked mixed vegetables, paneer masala, some raw veggies for a salad, homemade naan, and a grain soup that I forget the name of but was perfect on top of the veggie rice.
Finally – I give credit to my wife for pointing these out on our last trip but the Pune-Mumbai Expressway was either created by a comedian or the contractor who did the signs had a couple of drinks! Check out these hilarious roadway signs on the highway. They are almost a distraction in and of themselves!
We stopped at a travel center on the highway for a washroom stop and lunch. I took a picture of the Burger King menu so you all can see what a mostly veg Burger King menu looks like. Look at that variety!
I leave India to return back to the US before our big move in early December. See you next time!
Carpet selection time!
You all like this chair?
Picking desk colors with an audience!
Homemade lunch…YUM!!!
Best naan bread I have ever had!
Here is the comic relief, these are hilarious.
Richey's Travel Adventures 