Commercial Street

Sorry for the lack of blog posts, but its been an extremely busy trip. I have been working around the clock, in the office working local hours, then up late every night working Seattle hours. By Friday I was completely burned out by about 3pm, but we were trying to get some software builds and launch plans ready so I kept pushing through until our car came at 7. I have never been so happy to sleep after dinner... I put in my headphones and was dead to the world before the second song had finished...

On Saturday, we went to Commercial Street in Bangalore to do some shopping.

From Bangalore 2009.06.19

From Bangalore 2009.06.19

The first store we went too was a complete ripoff. Unfortunately I cannot do the currency conversion in my head so I didn't figure that out until it was too late. Luckily I was able to find some decent deals wandering the shops, especially this tiny little curiosity shop that was barely big enough for a single person to squeeze in, every square inch filled with statues of buddhas, Ganeshas, cruxifixes, etc. This was more the kind of shopping I expected in Bangalore.

From Bangalore 2009.06.19

From Bangalore 2009.06.19

From Bangalore 2009.06.19

BTW I took my first ride in an autorickshaw yesterday.

From Bangalore 2009.06.19

Honestly I didn't even have time to consider what was happening, I was on my way to lunch with some of the developers and they just hailed one and we jumped in. Its pretty crazy to be hanging out the side of one of these things in busy traffic, on what amounts to a minor highway. But it was fun... I wish I could get one for zipping around town back home ;^)

This pic demonstrates a common urban problem here:

From Bangalore 2009.06.19

Tomorrow Arun and I are off on a road trip, so I expect to have many pictures to share and a new post. Until then, peace.

Valentines Day

** UPDATED**

The big controversy here right now is about Valentine's Day.

Apparently there is a Hindu fundamentalist group here that is concerned with the influence of Western culture on traditional Indian/Hindu culture. They oppose all of the 'Days'-- Fathers Day, Mothers day, Valentines Day, etc -- on the grounds that they are just an excuse to market and sell western products, and that love and family should really be celebrated throughout the year. Frankly in principle I agree with them... however they took it a bit too far.

The group's leader publicly announced that they would have groups roaming the streets of Bangalore on VDay, scouting for your couples expressing public displays of affection, and force them to get married on the spot! There was of course an outcry and scandals in the paper.

What really amused me however was the fact that a group formed, thanks to social networking websites, named the 'consortium of loose and pub-going women' to protest this group. And their protest consisted of encouraging women to send the leader of this group pink 'chaddis' (panties!)

Its the same thing you see all over the place. In a democratic society, you have the right to live pretty much how you choose to, until your actions infringe on the rights of others. The problem comes when people get the misguided notion that they have the right to control every aspect of their society, by controlling the actions of others. The funny thing is that the will of the people will always win out in the end. And these guys, by making such a big stink about nothing, have ended up catalyzing not only people who were on the fence about their cause, but people who at first did not care one way or another. Now there is a huge organized resistance to them, and its not going to go away anytime soon. Power to the Chaddis!

This controversy made it on MSNBC

Also I was interested to note that the office I am working in made a point of decorating for Valentine's day, to make a statement in support of freedom of expression. Rock on.

Speed Bumps

On our way to Mysore, I became acutely aware of the plethora of speed bumps in India. Based on what I have observed, this (along with portable metal gates randomly placed on the roads) is the primary means of controllling speed and flow of traffic. Poor Rohith kept wincing as he slowly eased his low-riding Honda over (or around, when possible) the larger of these speed bumps, often with a horrible scraping sound coming from the undercarriage.

On the way back to Bangalore after dark, it was particularly difficult to see the bumps coming up, as I did not notice that there were signs or markers of any sort. When I commented on this the next day in the office, I was told that there is not really any central authority that handles creation or regulation of these speed bumps. In other words, it seems that individuals or neighborhoods put them in as they see fit, if they feel the traffic is too much or too fast! I seem to recall a Malcolm in the Middle episode about this ;^)

The Air India show is this week. This appears to be similar to Seafair back in Seattle (except much bigger.) The festivities are taking place at the new Bangalore International Airport... the offices I am working in are on the main road to the airport. This morning I noticed a distinct change... my once sleepy hotel was bustling with activity and guests down for breakfast (prior to this, often I was the only guest eating at the buffet.) The road and traffic was even more crazy if thats possible. I'm not sure if I will get a chance to see any of the airshow. There is a rooftop cafeteria with a grand view of the outskirts of Bangalore, possibly I can catch some aerial acrobatics from there. Despite being a pacifist, I have always loved a good airshow... too bad those jets are designed to kill people. :^(

Again, back to work. Things are pretty crazy here, not to mention I am trying to keep up with developments back in Seattle. No rest for the wicked!

The other side of the world...

It continues to amaze me that almost all of my friends and family (excluding of course all of my new friends in Bangalore) are on the other side of the world from me. When I call my girlfriend when I get home at night, its first thing in the morning for her. When I wake up in the morning, folks in Seattle are just wrapping up work for the day.

I've been working with a team in India for over a year and a half now and I have gotten used to the logistics of it all. But its still a mindbending experience.

My commute to work is pretty short and not incredibly interesting but I'm still capturing shots of some of the sights. Here's a minaret from a mosque:

From Bangalore Day Seven

Despite some unrest and difficulties, its inspirational to me to know that India is a land of Hindus, Christians and Muslims all living together in relative harmony. If you think there is diversity in America you are way wrong, we would face real challenges trying to bridge as large of gaps of language, religion and culture (and even of diet, the first thing you are asked in every restaurant is whether you are veg or non-veg.) I guess these guys have had a few thousand years to work out how to get along. And it was pointed out to me that India is the worlds largest democracy, a feature worthy of respect. The public discourse is vigorous and healthy here!


This morning, Vikas showed me the worlds smallest coconut.

From Bangalore Day Seven

Also I never tire of the brightly painted trucks here. These are everywhere, the equivalent of US 18 wheelers from what I can tell.

From Bangalore Day Seven

sure beats the hell out of sillouhettes of bikini girls, or 'no fear' stickers.

back to work... peace, out!

Polio, Typhoid and Malaria, o my!

Shots: so many shots I needed before my trip. Though I suppose if this is the most unpleasant part of the whole experience, its maybe not so bad. The nurse at the travel clinic did a good job of scaring me shitless though (probably worse for my honey, she is so worried about this trip!)

Hep A + B, tetanus, polio, Measles, typhoid, oh my!

I felt pretty awful for 3-4 days following all these innoculations. but I suppose the cure is better than the disease. however 1 lasting side effect that has been a real pain in the ass is what the doctor diagnosed as "benign positional vertigo." When I tilt my head any direction, for example getting up out of bed, up from a reclining chair, or just shaking my head around too much, the world starts to spin. I've actually fallen over a few times. this is going to be fun.

Getting Ready...

This morning I am going to the UW Travel Clinic to get my shots for my trip to Bangalore. eigh... this makes it pretty real. It's still sinking in, probably won't hit me until I'm on the plane halfway around the world...