BMWs are nice, but not for India.

Happy Friday!

I certainly like a nice car just as much as the next person, but never would I think of having a BMW in Delhi.

I was stressed out for this BMW owner next to us maybe just as much as he was... We came close to sideswiping him twice. As a matter of fact, we actually did sideswipe a car today on the way home... While I was on a conference call heading back to the hotel.

"Yes, absolutely, I agree 100% that we need to, holy cow, holy cow. HOLY COW! HOLY COW! HOLY COW!" I exclaimed.

No pun intended, India.

We side-swiped this car, and all Mohan did was look at the other party, who in turn, shared the same look. Then, we continued on our way.  I am slowly starting to get used to the traffic, and how close everyone drives to each other, and the amount of people that try to sell me window shades and ask for money in dead-locked traffic, but I don't think I will quite ever understand someone's ability to drive away from an accident with sharing glares as opposed to insurance information.

Mohan mentioned that the only time that police are called is when there is somone hurt, and a car is unable to move. It was broken English, but I am pretty sure that's what he said. I do a lot of nodding and laughing with him.

Can you imagine? Running into someone, and giving a wave, and continuing on your merry way. I suppose that I have not seen more serious accidents because people never go fast enough in this city to actually cause damage...

Tomorrow I am going shopping in the Delhi markets. Priyanka, my partner trainer, is taking me to see the Rasthapati Bhavan, which is the president of India's home. I am SUPER excited about it, I have seen pictures, and it looks beautfiul.

Next weekend, I may or may not have agreed to a date with Mohan, his wife, and a woman he wants me to meet to go out to the "Disco". I am pretty sure that he said that gentlemen cannot go to this club unaccompanied, and that he will "show me a good time".. Sorry Jon, I may be going on a date with a woman with what I believe he said a think behind.  I don't think I am really in a place to say no to anything being that I am in India. Well, I am sure there is a few things I should say no to...

With all that said, I think the real question is, Why would you live here and think it's okay to buy a BRAND NEW BMW?

Cheers.

Boars, Bangles, and Bindis, oh my!

Boars, Bangles, and Bindis, oh my!

Today marks the first full week that I have been in India!!!

What an experience it has been so far. Just a quick update- I am going out to dinner with the some people from the center I am working at tomorrow night, and get this- They are taking me to a chinese restaurant... LOL

Anyhow, I learn so much about this culture every day. I learned that newly weds (...depending on the state of India they are from and religion) have to wear these beautiful bangles for a full year after their marriage. Some religions state that you have to wear bangles until the rest of your life, and you may not take them off.

On a side note, I am starting to see wild boars every day in the rubble piles, and they are so cute! I want to take one back to Omaha and have him live at Jon Beeck's house. I also see a large amount of stray dogs all over the place. Those I will store at Brent Winters' house.

This weekend, I am going into Delhi to find some Indian Markets. Bindi's are about 10 rupees (similar to 20 cents)for a pack of 100, so I plan on getting all sorts of different kinds to bring back for everyone. I am also going to buy some jewelry and bangles made of glass, gems, and silver. I am waiting to go to the mall next to my hotel being that its just like a regular mall. I want to ensure I get a lot of unique items while I am here.

Mohan, my driver, sideswiped a pedestrian the other day. He stopped and talked to the gentleman in hindi for a moment, before telling the pedestrian that I was a client, and the pedestrian said okay, have a good day and Mohan drove off. I told him that if we were in a America, he would be slapped with a lawsuit.

I really miss ice. And for because power is not a constant thing in Gurgaon, My hotel frequently has short power outages, which really stinks whenn I am trying to get ready for work in the morning, but as I have said since I got here, the rewards outweigh the challenges. I will be starting a blog eventually, so until then, keep looking for updates here. I hope all is well in the States!

Cheers!See More

MOOOOOveee....

So today was officially day 1 of training. What a GREAT group! Eager, and ver excited to learn. Now if the class can send some of these vibes to my newbies class in Omaha in September, I'd be one happy trainer! My driver took me to get wine after work, which was a stand by the side of the road. It cost 800 rupees for top shelf bottle. That's about $14. My hotel likes to really over charge,but that...'s the price you have to pay for staying in a five star hotel,literally. On the way to the wine stand, I saw 4 cows walking down the street, just confirming that because they are sacred here, they do whatever they want. It looked like steak to me, but I digress.

I got to experience rush hour traffic, which is scarier than "normal" traffic, and my driver, Mohan, just laughed at m y facial expressions. He told me he was my security, and nothing bad will happen. He even went up to the wine stand with me to ensure I didn't get overcharged. It's a bit ironic being that he is about four feet tall.

I confirmed that the mall next to my hotel is the biggest mall in Delhi, and there is a diesel store there. I will be buying it out by the end of the trip. One thing I am not a fan of is that the liquor tax here is 15%, but standard tipping is 8-10%. it's Fun to watch my servers face when I tip 20%, but I'm slowly going broke due to my booze habit. Less hotel wine, more roadside stand wine, I suppose. Have a great Monday!

Day 2

Hi, all!
I am on day 2, and starting to get used to the traffic and machine guns that I believe are the police that carry them... :)
I went to the center where I'm training today, and met the first class. They are AMAZING! Very respectful, and very welcoming. The partner trainer is super amazing, and gave me a list of places to visit. The office here hired me a driver that is dedicated to me 24/7. stay tuned!