Toe Truck?

In Ontario, it is illegal for drivers to talk or text using a hand-held cell phone.  You could have a fine of up to $500.  In Bangalore, cell phone use is prolific.  I took a picture of this driver who was talking on the phone.

As he passed by, I realized "oh...it's okay, he's not even driving".  The tow truck was assisting him because he didn't have power. :D

 

 

 

Here comes the rain...

Saturday night between 5:30 pm and 8:30pm, the city was lashed with 35.6 mm of rain.  In perspective, the average rainfall for the month is just around 40mm.  It created chaos in the city.  The rain uprooted trees, traffic jams and power failures.

I didn't want to get out of the car because the water was so deep (and not the cleanest looking water).  And of course Murphy's Law...when I left the hotel at 4:45pm it was bright and sunny without a cloud in the sky, so my umbrella stayed nice and dry in the hotel room.

 

Life Made Simple

Just like other hotels, the daily newspaper was delivered to the room. The paper is called 'The Hindu'.  India's national newspaper since 1878.   As a good Canadian, I turned to the sports section to see if there might be a small update on the hockey playoffs. Would it surprise you when I say, "Nope!" :D

I did find a section of the paper quite interesting to read. The classifieds - life made simple. The advertising on one of the pages caught my eye.

Out of an 18 page paper, three pages of the paper were dedicated to these particular adds...

 

Mostly the comments in the adds were:

• Fair, handsome, good looking
• Well settled family
• Professionally qualified
• Good income
• Clean habits
• Good natured who respects family

It appears that parents want the same things for their kids regardless of culture.  I wonder how you make an inquiry about the veracity of the advertisement when you see comments like this, 'earlier marriage lasted less than 120 days'.

Fly with me

I love taking pictures out of the window every flight I go on.  I don't know why 'cause they usually look the same but with different cloud shapes :D  What you can't tell from this photo is that it's about a 30ft drop from my window to the wing.

 

Smooth take off, not the typicall roar and lift off experience. Once up in the air, food service was started right away.  Ermirates definitely spoil you food wise.  I had smoked salmon served with a mustard dill dressing and potato caper salad.  Followed by grilled fillet, potato gratin and seasoned veggies.  All served on Royal Doulton.  Reminded me of the Ward Air days (yes dating myself here with that reference).

 

After that, most people tried to sleep.  I guess a big meal like that at midnight can put you out.  Watched a couple of movies and then tried to sleep.  I should have tried it sooner, because I didn't realize how many people snore.  A few people were hanging out a the bar (plus they have the late night snacks).  Went back to take a picture and couldn't help myself, I start chatting with a couple of people and before you know it, I am behind the bar.

I almost spilled the wine down myself because I was told to shake the shaker while pretending to drink from the wine bottle.  We were laughing so hard at times this was the only picture not blurry.  The staff are so friendly.

Dubai

Toronto to Dubai for the first part of the trip.  11,669 km in 12 hours 19 minutes.  There were three cool views of the airplane that you could watch a live feed.  From the tail of the plane, from underneath the plane (which had a vertiginous effect the closer to land) and my favourite view - the front of the plane.  It felt like you were seeing what the pilots see.  The runway becomes a blur after touchdown.





 

Taken just before landing.

 
The welcome to Dubai sign was unique.  It was a 3D projected man talking about information regarding Dubai and the airport.  As you walk by it appears to turn in your direction. When I went to back to take a picture, it stopped and smiled.  That really freaked me out until I realized that the timing was just a coincidence. :D

Again, sat in the lounge while I waited for my connecting flight.  I tried sending emails and making calls using VoIP with no success - very frustrating and I couldn't figure out why.  Apparently, Dubai restricts internet access of VPN and VoIP....mystery solved.

 

Had a romantic snack with myself.  The chocolate lava muffin was awesome.

 

On the plane to go

Checked in at YYZ at the plane was already there.  It doesn't look very big in this picture, but it was.

No lineups for luggage check in or for security.  Go figure...lol...when you have the time you don't need it, so I sat in the Plaza Premium Lounge until boarding (might sound good but it made me wish I was sitting in the Maple Leaf Lounge).    Boarded the plane and got settled in my cubbie.  I was welcomed with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne.

 

Don't let the smile fool you.  It was harder getting on the plane than I thought it would be.  You can never get enough hugs in before you go.  At least there was a lot of storage space and the bonus of my own mini bar too.

One day to go

Need to fit all this...

 

into this!

 

 

 

And yes, the Mars bars are a necessity :D

Bangalore, officially known as Bengaluru

So...getting ready for this trip has been on my mind for a few weeks now.  Mostly focused on getting the work done, and sometimes thinking of the personal side of getting ready to go.

Every chance I get, when someone mentions they have been to India I ask, "What's it like - the weather? the people? things to do?"

For example; I was ordering India Rupee's from my banks call centre.  While the transaction was taking place, a few questions were asked like: "Your first time to India?", "Are you going for business or pleasure?", and "North or South India?".  At first I thought it was polite small talk, so I asked if he was familiar with Bangalore.  In fact he did, because that was where he lives.

I made a new friend!  After the transaction was complete, we talked about the city for awhile.  So, if you were trying to do some banking by phone and had a extra long wait time - sorry :D

This week a lot of the "work stuff" for the trip is almost finalized - yeah!  And, my thoughts turned to the personal side of the trip.  What am I going to do when I am not working?  5 weeks is going to feel like a long time.

If you are familiar with Bangalore/Bengaluru, what 'must do' suggestions do you have?

One week to go

One week before my departure on a 5 week trip to India.  I have set up the blog for those that have expressed interest in my trip.

Be warned...lol...it is a work trip so you will have to wait and see what excitement I create while on my own! :D