Holiday Traveling

In spite of the title I put on my last entry, I have been trying to squeeze in as much work as I can. In the past couple weeks we’ve started working quite aggressively on the project I came here to lead. The development method we’re using has us working in “sprints” for four to six weeks to complete components on the system, so we’re trying to “flat-out run” to get as much accomplished as we can by mid-January. Biggest problems: three India programmers waiting on one person (me) to define, as well as review, all their work, and a user (responsible for giving me direction in what they need) who lives in Dallas and basically sleeps while we work and works while we sleep. But it’s coming along, and it’s fun.

However, it’s Christmas time! Since Mary, Steve, and I are obviously not getting home to celebrate with family and friends, we were invited to spend the time with some fellow workers in Bangalore, about 200 miles away. So, enough of work, it’s time to celebrate!

First, of course, was the matter of getting to Bangalore. Steve bought train tickets weeks ago; our round trip cost each of us about $30. Yesterday morning I got up just after 4:00 AM, to be at the station by 6:00 AM. (We were actually there before 5:30 AM, so you know I wasn’t setting the schedule.) We took an express—no stops between the two cities—that I am told is the second fastest in India. I believe it; we were at the Bangalore station meeting our friends before 11:00 AM. And though we took a second-class coach, we traveled in very pleasant style. Even before leaving the station, I think, we were handed large bottles of water, along with an English newspaper .That was soon followed with a snack of plain cookies and coffee or tea. (South Indian coffee or tea, which means it was loaded with milk and sugar—which also means that I was happy to have it.) A little later they brought breakfast, consisting of a type of Indian bread that’s something like pancakes with onion, sauces to dip it in, and regular bread with butter and jam. This was follow by our choice of coffee or tea. All together it made for a very nice and comfortable trip.

So, we’re here for about ten days with our friends who have lived in India for close to two years. They have a lovely three-bedroom apartment that’s decorated beautifully for Christmas. And I’m already quite sure they have the gift of hospitality. Oh, and how could I forget to mention that the weather in Bangalore is significantly cooler than in Chennai! In fact, it had been downright cold—from what I hear—earlier in the week. Now it’s just plain lovely.

Yes, I’m still here suffering in India!