India! \u00a0More like: Mumbai! \u00a0 I have been waiting for this for over a year since Micah first mentioned to me that his company will be sending him there. \u00a0For the past 2 or 3 months, every twentieth sentence included the word India. \u00a0Come to the past 2 weeks and that was reduced to every third sentence.<\/p>\n
This is my first international trip. \u00a0Unlike what Nordstrom Visa thinks, Puerto Rico does not count. \u00a0(They attempted to charge me fees while I was there, the nerve!) \u00a0Many people were impressed that the first overseas trip that I am taking is to Mumbai. \u00a0I have never even been to Canada or Mexico! \u00a0However, I have lived in major cities like Boston and New York City. \u00a0Not the suburbs mind you, in the city proper, including Manhattan. \u00a0That is an important distinction which I will get to later.<\/p>\n
The longest flight I have ever been on was a 12 hour flight to Hawaii from NYC with a stop-over in Dallas. \u00a0The first leg was not bad but the second leg was horrible. \u00a0The seats were so uncomfortable that I wanted a back and bum transplant straight away!<\/p>\n
The Mumbai flight started at 7:30 pm (EST) on October 31, 2014 at Newark Airport and ended at 23:14 (IST: Indian Standard Time for those who are familiar) on November 1, 2014. \u00a0It was probably a total of 20 hours with a two and a half hour layover in Brussels.<\/p>\n
On arrival to Newark, we were treated like rock stars by Jet Airways. \u00a0My husband was flying Premiere Class and I was in Economy. \u00a0(His company paid for his ticket.) \u00a0They gave me upgrades immediately including: Priority Boarding, Priority Security Check-in, Priority Luggage Pick-up in Mumbai, and access to the Virgin Club Lounge. \u00a0Nice!<\/p>\n
We hung out in the lounge until we had to board the flight. \u00a0Boarding was smooth. \u00a0No Southwest cattle-style drives here. \u00a0My seat partner was absolutely lovely! \u00a0She was born and raised in Mumbai and was telling me a little about the customs. \u00a0She thought my project was needed which was nice. \u00a0She was also helping me with my Hindi. \u00a0I learned the customary phrases (with hand movements) and then tested myself on the Berlitz program on the back of the plane seat in front of me. \u00a0Yes, they had Berlitz! \u00a0I was so excited!<\/p>\n
My seat mate’s experience in the US was interesting. \u00a0She stayed in NYC and Minneapolis and said that Minneapolis was very jarring. \u00a0She could not believe how slow the pace was and that people actually knew how to drive. \u00a0NYC, she said, is a lot like Mumbai. \u00a0I will have to see for myself.<\/p>\n
The movie I watched was a Bollywood film called the\u00a0“3 Idiots.” \u00a0I highly recommend it (especially for you education and engineering folk) and will be on the lookout for it in Bombay. \u00a0(Yes, many people still call Mumbai Bombay.) \u00a0It is a comedy and the main characters kissed at the end. \u00a0(It is unusual to see any sexual contact on a Bollywood film. \u00a0Normally, the characters will get to that point and then break into song and dance.) \u00a0It was made in 2009 and was very popular in India.<\/p>\n
Not much English was spoken on the plane. \u00a0I was immersed in 4 dominant languages: Hindi, French, Dutch, and German. \u00a0You would have never known that children were on the flight. \u00a0They were quiet and busy with their projects at their seats. \u00a0Yes, we were the minority on this flight. \u00a0Instructions were give in three languages. \u00a0The crew were all multi-lingual which made me feel real inadequate.<\/p>\n
The plane quickly landed in Brussels. \u00a0All of the blonds passed through immigration and only the brunettes were left in the terminal side of security to wait for the plane to be cleaned so that we could continue on our\u00a0journey to Mumbai. \u00a0I was so excited. \u00a0I remember applying for a job as a school teacher there in 2007 in an international school. \u00a0I got a phone interview but nothing more. \u00a0Terminal B is nothing to write home about but I will describe it to you in a few sentences anyway.<\/p>\n
Boring! \u00a0I was expecting lavish shops and better chocolates to be sold in the Duty Free store. \u00a0I could get all of this in NYC. \u00a0Security was also high. \u00a0Micah’s bag set off the store detector and it took a 5 minute search to see that there was nothing in it from the store. \u00a0The nice thing was that most of the stores took USD and they did not charge you an extra fee for the exchange rate. \u00a0We got back EUR from USD purchases. \u00a0Another disappointing thing was that the only large coffee shop was a Starbucks! \u00a0Starbucks? \u00a0I wanted out of America not back in it! \u00a0Boy it was full too. \u00a0Oh well. \u00a0Thanks for contributing to the US economy folks.<\/p>\n
The next leg was a seat change for me because I wanted an aisle seat. \u00a0Insert much needed but not received bum and back transplants. \u00a0To distract myself, I played “Ticket to Ride” on my iPad and “Bejeweled 2” on the back of the seat. \u00a0“Bejeweled 2” does not float my boat.<\/p>\n
My seat mate was also Indian but was male. \u00a0There was not much verbal exchange because he was middle aged. \u00a0According to my Indian customs book, Indian men tend not to interact with women they do not know or are not in business with and I was not offended.<\/p>\n
I was treated well on the plane getting additional food and treats from the staff. \u00a0I found out later that they thought I was an ex-Pat because I was wearing traditional Indian clothing.<\/p>\n
The bathrooms on the plane were immaculate for the entire trip. \u00a0I guess I have a fascination because women’s bathrooms in the US tend to be disgusting in public places.<\/p>\n
Micah’s plane experience was different than mine. \u00a0He was served first class food, could stretch out horizontally and sleep, and was given pajamas! \u00a0Jealous! \u00a0However, no one talked to each other. \u00a0I would gladly have the back pain for stimulating conversation with other people. \u00a0I wonder if this is a parallel to the social statuses in Mumbai.<\/p>\n
Before you ask, why was I in Economy and Micah in Premiere, remember that Micah’s company paid for his trip. \u00a0We had to pay for my airline ticket. \u00a0Micah’s was $8000 roundtrip and mine was $1500 roundtrip. \u00a0We would get there at the same time and in a very slightly different manner (accommodation-wise only). \u00a0Hmmm. \u00a0You do the math. \u00a0Apparently, this arrangement is popular and was the reason why I received all of Micah’s perks.<\/p>\n
We finally landed! \u00a0It was one LONG walk to immigration. \u00a0I live in Manhattan and love to walk so trust me when I say that it was LONG. \u00a0Micah and I were escorted on a golf cart. \u00a0The airport is gorgeous! \u00a0The public art along the walls is something to be mentioned. \u00a0I wish I would have had my camera out. \u00a0I will try to take pictures on my way back. \u00a0Some of it was politically charged as in the slum and pollution problems that Mumbai suffers from. \u00a0It was done in a tasteful and artistic fashion.<\/p>\n
BTW…yes, I said slums. \u00a0I am not condemning. \u00a0The people of Mumbai call it that too. \u00a0Watch YouTube.<\/p>\n
Immigration and customs were a breeze as was luggage collection. \u00a0Our driver was waiting for us. \u00a0We stepped outside the doors and smoke hit us in the face. \u00a0So the Weather Channel was not lying! \u00a0When it says 96 degrees Fahrenheit and Smoke for the forecast, they are not kidding. \u00a0So this is what pollution is like. \u00a0No, NYC is not polluted like this! \u00a0It was surreal. \u00a0The smell was not as bad as I was expecting. \u00a0I have a keen sense of smell too, like a Bloodhound.<\/p>\n
It is about 00:01 at this point. \u00a0The light pollution was high but nothing to record on the camera. \u00a0There are plenty of YouTube videos that you can see about that. \u00a0I was not expecting the copious amount of palm trees lining the highway. \u00a0They soon gave way to a scene that looked like a cross between the Bronx and LA. \u00a0Old and new. \u00a0Shabby and wealthy. \u00a0The highway was almost pothole free, much better than the BQE where you can get whiplash.<\/p>\n
We turned into the hotel and our car was searched via post-9\/11 standards where the airports were doing this for a while . \u00a0They looked under the hood and in the trunk and scanned the van with a wand. \u00a0The security was hired by the hotel. \u00a0We passed through the gates and proceeded up a long, winding road to the Westin. \u00a0We were to do nothing. \u00a0Everything was handled by the staff. \u00a0We passed through a metal detector and checked in.<\/p>\n
I did not eat since we left Belgium more than a half a day ago. \u00a0The food in the “luggage class” was horrible. \u00a0Even the native Indians did not eat it sending it back and calling it crap. \u00a0That made me feel better. \u00a0It was not me and my aversion to spicy food. \u00a0I also learned that Indians are very particular about their vegetarian diets and get a little spicy if served something non-vegetarian.<\/p>\n
There was a 24 hour restaurant open in our hotel. \u00a0It is 3:00 at this point (I switched to non-US time just so you know). \u00a0I was surprised to see beef burger on the menu and had to order it! \u00a0Wow! \u00a0A beef product in Mumbai? \u00a0I questioned it and our server looked away bashfully. \u00a0It was OK. \u00a0Then I was worried that I was going to have a stomach issue for eating fried food so late before bed. \u00a0No. \u00a0It must be a NYC and Baltimore issue where they do not change the oil. \u00a0I have yet to have any indigestion problems so far knock on wood. \u00a0No Delhi Belly yet.<\/p>\n
I fell asleep straight away having only taking a couple of naps on the plane. \u00a0I did not suffer from jet lag at all. \u00a0It also helps that I have loads of trouble sleeping anyway so I feel quite normal!<\/p>\n
On Sunday, we had a wonderful brunch buffet and headed out to do a little sight-seeing and shopping with our hired driver. \u00a0He was excellent!<\/p>\n
The shop keepers treated us well and the treatment that we received in Jackson Heights was identical in Bombay: first class all the way including food and drink offered on a tray as you shopped! \u00a0Is this normal? \u00a0I must ask. \u00a0I thought by dressing as an American tourist (shirt with sleeves, jeans, and shoes) that the store keepers would ignore us. \u00a0No sense in that! \u00a0We were wined, dined, and hounded. \u00a0No, I do not want the $2000 ring. \u00a0Yes, I know that you will not charge us taxes or fees on our credit card but I can get this type of ring in the US.<\/p>\n
I guess it helped that I used all 20 Hindi words that I know. \u00a0I enjoyed listening to the workers speak in Hindi. \u00a0There are so many cognates thanks to the British occupation that I could understand tiny bits of their conversations. \u00a0The Latin in Spanish also helped since there are Portuguese words and influences from when they occupied Mumbai a few hundred years ago. \u00a0Reading Hindi script? \u00a0Probably not in this lifetime for me. \u00a0It is pretty to look at though. \u00a0The shop keepers also helped me with my Hindi while we waited for things to be brought to us.<\/p>\n
(A side thought: for some reason, I keep translating everything I hear into Spanish and spoke in Spanish a couple of times. \u00a0What is wrong with me? \u00a0Wait, don’t answer that.)<\/p>\n
The fashions are gorgeous! \u00a0The magpie in me was salivating but I kept it under control. \u00a0I am having a skirt and shirt made to me. \u00a0More in the Fashion section of India blog.<\/p>\n
Of course, the bathroom photos that I posted on Facebook were taken in one of the shops. \u00a0What got me about the photos was not the actual toilet but the use of the words “Indian Restroom” and “Western Restroom.” \u00a0If perceived incorrectly and looked at very quickly from just the door signs, it could remind (especially) an American of “White Restroom” and “Colored Restroom.” \u00a0No, it was just the type of toilet system. \u00a0I am out to lunch on what I think of the “gravity toilet.” \u00a0No, I did not try it as the next available restroom was the “Western Restroom” and I did not “save any” for the “Indian Restroom.” \u00a0I did wait in line to take its picture.<\/p>\n
Back at the hotel, I found out that there are no pharmaceutical products sold. \u00a0There is a short path to the mall. \u00a0Crossing the street is like playing Frogger. \u00a0Again, the heightened security through metal detectors to gain entrance. \u00a0We emerged from the hallways and entered the mall. \u00a0It was warm. \u00a0I looked to the left and found McDonald’s. \u00a0Yes, I had to have it. \u00a0Please see the attached picture. \u00a0The portion sizes are small. \u00a0There are no medium and large sizes. \u00a0I have been eating so much less and not missing it at all on this trip. \u00a0Of course, no beef or beef products are served. \u00a0The french fries were good but the chicken nuggets were soggy. \u00a0There was no sweet and sour sauce either as the guy looked at me like I was an alien for asking for it. \u00a0I tried three different sets of words but none were successful. \u00a0We shared the table with another couple. \u00a0Table sharing is the culture in this country.<\/p>\n
Man was the mall crowded but well-managed with a rhythm that flowed. \u00a0The service was quick and accurate. \u00a0English was spoken with great clarity. \u00a0Security in the mall was also high. \u00a0I am wondering if this had anything to do with the Taj bombing a few years ago.<\/p>\n
I was looking for better shampoo and conditioner which I found at the body shop. \u00a0Whoa! \u00a0High prices for that and wonderful quality to justify it. \u00a0It is much better than the hotel shampoo and conditioners. \u00a0I am not spending 22 days using that crap.<\/p>\n
I went straight to work and made it my duty to start the blogs the next day. \u00a0I had loads of emails to write and phone calls to respond to.<\/p>\n
I was excited when I got a text from the president of Mehli Mehta, one of the non-profit music organizations that I will be observing. \u00a0She wanted me to play the clarinet for a couple of minutes to help the kids take their nap. \u00a0Mozart Clarinet Concerto No. 2<\/em>, second movement will be used for that task. \u00a0I wish, wish, wish I could record it but the permissions were not obtained. \u00a0I had to go easy on asking for permissions for recording. \u00a0I will be recording that organization next week and hopefully will be able to repeat it again.<\/p>\n Thanks to my husband’s wonderful co-workers, I was able to easily obtain a SIM card which makes calling in India so much easier and much cheaper. \u00a0I was also invited to dinner with one of them on Tuesday night at his house! \u00a0I am so excited!<\/p>\n In general, people are dressed in a conservative manner. \u00a0Please see my FashionBlog \u00a0section for more of this.<\/p>\n Did I mention how polite everyone is? \u00a0It is a little jarring. \u00a0I am used to the entitlement culture in the US. \u00a0Yes, it is that big of a difference and you need to visit Mumbai to see for yourself. \u00a0Everything is “Yes, Ma’am, no ma’am. \u00a0Please let me get that for you ma’am.” \u00a0Whoa! \u00a0I wonder after being in the US for so long, if I could actually get used to this. \u00a0However, if I did not seem to be a rich American, would I get this treatment? \u00a0I would tend to think yes but I am not sure.<\/p>\n British chick lit(erature) also helped me with my transition. \u00a0I use British idioms a lot in Mumbai. The way people say no and yes is completely different. \u00a0They mean what they mean but are used in a Indian-British way. \u00a0It is hard to describe. \u00a0I will refer to you my Indian culture book later.<\/p>\n I tend to do well with understanding non-American accents so that is not a problem for me. \u00a0I love the Mumbai accent. \u00a0It is a musical variation of the British accent. \u00a0Both are pleasing to the ear.<\/p>\n One last comment, even though security is high, it is not annoying like it is in places in the US where security is high. \u00a0They are efficient. \u00a0I cannot comment if it is more effective though.<\/p>\n I am getting errors for uploading photos. \u00a0When Micah comes back, they will be uploaded.<\/p>\n Off to my first preliminary interview\/visitation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" India! \u00a0More like: Mumbai! \u00a0 I have been waiting for this for over a year since Micah first mentioned to me that his company will be sending him there. \u00a0For the past 2 or 3 months, every twentieth sentence included the word India. \u00a0Come to the past 2 weeks and that was reduced to every […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-india"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog.melissachalmer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog.melissachalmer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog.melissachalmer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog.melissachalmer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog.melissachalmer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/blog.melissachalmer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20,"href":"http:\/\/blog.melissachalmer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15\/revisions\/20"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog.melissachalmer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog.melissachalmer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog.melissachalmer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}