Friday in Pune

Leadership training completed, we were ready to relax before coming home on Saturday. We knew it would be a short night (having to get up at 1:30am the next morning to fly home), so Bob, Allen and I decided to go to the new Hard Rock Cafe in Pune for an early dinner. The restaurant was empty at 6:00pm - so we were fed pretty quickly. Atmosphere was the same as other Hard Rocks...lots of musical instruments on the walls, and music playing. Nice way to spend our last night in Pune.

Teaching in India

I held two training sessions on Wednesday with different groups of people - and a leadership training class on Thursday and Friday with the top leadership team. Unlike holding training classes in the US where people may/may not be attentive, I found attendees very engaged in conversation within the training programs - full of questions and conversation around the various topics. It was refreshing. We had a dinner on Thursday night for the leadership team, and had a chance to visit with friend Ranjan.

Catching up with friends

I went to the Technology Center on Wednesday for meetings. I didn't have much visiting time while there, but tried to get opportunity to catch up with several friends. Snuck in a lunch with Varsha and Sonali, stopped by to visit Devdoot and Kavita, and enjoyed looking out at the view off the balcony of the cafeteria to marvel at all of the new construction. Had a few good opportunities to talk about work projects with a women's networking group called REACH, as well as providing training to individuals who are becoming Teaming Coaches for me. Bob, Allen and I had a dinner with Ullhas, his wife Hema, daughter Vaidehi and son Vedang at a vegetarian italian restaurant.

Republic Day

Tuesday was Republic Day here in India...you would see carts of small India flags and pinwheels for children. Jayanti took me to Laxmi Road which is in the older part of town. We went to the markets (imagine booth after booth of different types of products - I was searching for the earring area), a jewelry store called Ranka, and some saree stores to look around. I bought some earrings, some bracelets and enjoyed the time with Jayanti. It was a great day.

Music in India

I am a huge music fan - all kinds (except country ) so I enjoy watching the music videos here in India. I have worked out each morning and within the fitness center, there are TVs on each piece of equipment - as I have worked out, I've watched several of these videos. I captured these on my camera - so you may need to turn up the sound. Wanted to give you a taste of variety....enjoy!

Seeing Pune on Sunday

After eating lunch at LeMeridien, we went to a few shops - Crossword (look for the sign behind the tree) which is a bookstore/music shop where I got a few Karshana CDs; Heritage - where we looked at pashminas and craft goods before returning back to the Royal Orchid hotel. The hotel is in an area called Koreagan Park, which has a lot of shops and apartment complexes.

Back in India

After many years, I am back in India. I arrived at 3AM and got a few hours of sleep before heading out to go over to the LeMeridien hotel for lunch. It was great to run into a few of the staff in the restaurant...one manager literally ran down the stairs and came over to me to shake my hand and greet me "Ms. Paula - where have you been?"....along with one of the chefs...who also asked where Jimmy was. So amazing to see that they still remembered my name.

The LeMeridien is such a beautiful hotel - so it was great to visit. I am staying at a place called the Royal Orchid. The hotel is very nice...will post more pics later...here are a few pictures from LeMeridien today...

Final thoughts

As I reflect on the assignment to India, I wanted to summarize my feelings. I read a quote in a magazine while on one of my trips relating to travel that really resonated with me. "Travel pushes our boundaries. When we travel we become invisible, if we want. We like to be observers and ask questions like "What makes people who they are? Could I feel at home here?" When traveling, you have a delectable possibility of not understanding a word of what is said to you. Language becomes simply a musical background for watching bicycles zoom alongside a canal, calling for nothing from you. Travel releases spontanaeity."

It made me think that there is truly a sense of magic when you travel. To have the time alone - to reflect on who you are and what you care about. Your eyes open to see life and humanity - as you breathe in the culture and take it all in - making pictures in your mind and heart that you will always remember. India has been a great adventure. Thank you for sharing it with me in my blog and I hope you felt you were with me on this journey. - Paula =8-)

Waiting for our flight

We flew on Sunday morning to Delhi and arrived around noon. Our flight to Chicago was around midnight. Instead of staying at a hotel room all day, we went sightseeing and shopping. We drove by the Lotus Temple and took a few pictures (Bahai faith); because it was a Sunday, the lines to get into the building were very long. We drove to the city center to see the India Gate, Parliament buildings and President's House. From the President's House, you can look down the street and see the India Gate. We went shopping at a place called CCIE - Central Cottage Industries Emporium. We had some children greeting us at the entrance in traditional costume. Imagine several floors of Indian handicrafts - clothing, wood and stone carvings, home interiors, purses, jewelry, furniture - all amazing. I took a picture of one of the mannequins of clothing - click on the picture to see the detail of the stitching on the man's outfit. As we headed back to the hotel to eat a meal before leaving Delhi, we saw a lot of monkeys - you'll see a few pictures of monkeys - one eating, and one carrying a baby in its pouch.

Saying Goodbyes

I'm terrible at goodbyes as I am extremely sentimental. When I think of India, I will always remember the people who have been so extremely kind to me. All of the staff at the hotel, people who have lived there for much longer than I, and all of the people in the office. I remember a conversation with Suprakash one evening, he commented "Oh Paula, she is one of us" - that will always stay with me. India will always have a place in my heart - I know I have many friends there - and I'm so glad Jim got to share the experience with me.