While visiting the Ghandi memorial park on our way back to the bus I saw this guy by the exit just sitting with a small basket and flute type thing. You always see snake charmers on tv, but I really didn't expect to see one in the flesh. It was my lucky day I guess. I apologize for the sideways video, but here you go.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Snake Charmer
Busy day and I'll be adding alot more pictures and posts this weekend or tonight when we get back in. Heading to the Taj Mahal on Saturday so that should provide plenty of photos/video for me to share along with the things I just haven't had time to get to as of yet. For now, check out this video.
While visiting the Ghandi memorial park on our way back to the bus I saw this guy by the exit just sitting with a small basket and flute type thing. You always see snake charmers on tv, but I really didn't expect to see one in the flesh. It was my lucky day I guess. I apologize for the sideways video, but here you go.
While visiting the Ghandi memorial park on our way back to the bus I saw this guy by the exit just sitting with a small basket and flute type thing. You always see snake charmers on tv, but I really didn't expect to see one in the flesh. It was my lucky day I guess. I apologize for the sideways video, but here you go.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Rickshaw Ride!!!
I finally got it work, here is the rickshaw ride video from Monday through one of the Delhi markets. It's a completely different world no doubt. Enjoy!
Day 3
Just got back in from another long day. We started the day by visiting Delhi's Minister of the Department of Environment. Delhi has alot of infrastructure opportunities and this department tackles these issues such as providing clean water, decreasing pollution, and providing electricy needs.
One of the interesting things about this visit was that we learned that the Department recycles office folders and then makes 300 new ones a day using manual paper making methods. This is all done by hand and is somewhat of a shocking operation to see in this day and age.
After the Department of Environment visit it was off to Gurgaon to meet with 3 Bharti-Walmart executives. Learning about how retail operates and the unique challenges faced by forgein companies trying to capture marketshare in India was an eye opener. It's definitely a stacked deck and much different from the U.S. retail market.
One of the interesting things about this visit was that we learned that the Department recycles office folders and then makes 300 new ones a day using manual paper making methods. This is all done by hand and is somewhat of a shocking operation to see in this day and age.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
This trip is definitely not one with much downtime. Had another long day yesterday not getting in until about 11 pm our time. Yesterday afternoon we met with the Delhi Metro, one of the 5 profitable metros in the world. Very interesting organization with what I anticipate has a very unique work environment. We also rode on the Delhi subway yesterday. Not quite as busy as New York, but amazingly clean for the shear number of people that use it daily which is over 1,000,000 people a day if memory serves me correctly. It was also interesting to watch a pick-pocket attempt on one of my classmates; I'm glad to report it es unsuccessful.
Later that night we met we owners and principals of a web start-up called Gaboli and had dinner at a swanky Indian restaurant called Panjabi By Nature. Very cool place and it was the first establishment where a budweiser was fairly priced.
That's probably obe of the biggest shockers to me, the prices. Granted most of our stops have been in the tourist area, but the sticker shock is still something I'm getting used to.
Well that's I have right now. Another busy day with meetings with the Indian Gov't and then Wal-Mart. Probably won't get in until around 11 pm tonight but I'll try to get a post in.
Later that night we met we owners and principals of a web start-up called Gaboli and had dinner at a swanky Indian restaurant called Panjabi By Nature. Very cool place and it was the first establishment where a budweiser was fairly priced.
That's probably obe of the biggest shockers to me, the prices. Granted most of our stops have been in the tourist area, but the sticker shock is still something I'm getting used to.
Well that's I have right now. Another busy day with meetings with the Indian Gov't and then Wal-Mart. Probably won't get in until around 11 pm tonight but I'll try to get a post in.
Just game back from our first session with an executive from NASSCOM and it was great learning opportunity. He was a former long time HP exec so it was nice to get that perspective.
Anyways, here are some of the photos from our free day in Delhi on Monday. Pretty eye opening exeperience and I'll say I'll never complain about how we have it in the US. Saw alot of historical sites and took a rickshaw ride through the heart of one of the markets. I've tried posting the video online, it's about 5 minutes long and is as good as a taste of Delhi besides being here, but the connection isn't the greatest in the hotel and it won't let me upload it.
So for now these pictures will have to do.
Anyways, here are some of the photos from our free day in Delhi on Monday. Pretty eye opening exeperience and I'll say I'll never complain about how we have it in the US. Saw alot of historical sites and took a rickshaw ride through the heart of one of the markets. I've tried posting the video online, it's about 5 minutes long and is as good as a taste of Delhi besides being here, but the connection isn't the greatest in the hotel and it won't let me upload it.
So for now these pictures will have to do.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Wow
Today was a very long day and the jet lag hit me somewhat hard. We spent the entire day visiting various historical sites and really getting a feel for Delhi. I'm beat and need to get sleep. I'll upload some pics before we take off the day tomorrow morning.
All I can say is that India is an amazing exerpience thus far.
All I can say is that India is an amazing exerpience thus far.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Hello Delhi
Landed last night and got settled into the hotel. Busy day of touring the city today. I'll post some video and pics when we get back in tonight.
15 hours on a plane isn't fun. However, met a bunch really cool single serving "friends". A lawyer who advises many NFL players, Boston university's assistant hockey coach, and another grad student coming to Delhi to work with an NGO. Also caught a few movies on the flight, The Social Network definitely is worth a watch.
More to come tonight.
15 hours on a plane isn't fun. However, met a bunch really cool single serving "friends". A lawyer who advises many NFL players, Boston university's assistant hockey coach, and another grad student coming to Delhi to work with an NGO. Also caught a few movies on the flight, The Social Network definitely is worth a watch.
More to come tonight.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
यहाँ हम जाओ (Here we go)
Off to the airport for 29 hour of traveling bliss. Going to try everything I can to get an upgrade from Chicago to Delhi. Seriously, what looks better....
this......
or this?
I'm going to go with Dorothy Boyd from Jerry Maguire on this one and agree that "first class isn't just a better meal, it's a better life."
And of course, ON WISCONSIN!!!!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
उम्मीदों ("um'mīdōṁ" - expectations)
48 hours from the time this entry is posted I should be leaving O'Hare on my way to Delhi (ideally enjoying 1 or 2 celebratory beverages to christen the 2011 Rose Bowl Champion Wisconsin Badgers).
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| Wisconsin +3? Yes please. |
I have my topic picked out for the blog tomorrow but I struggled with what I should fill today with. While I really am not sure what to expect, I wanted to record the few expectations I do have and then revisit them when I come back just to see how far off I will likely be.
The number one thing I'm trying to prepare for is the poverty. While I'll consider myself rather emotionally reserved and possibly somewhat cold, I have to admit I'm slightly concerned about what images I may see in this trip. This past week I spent some time discussing the experiences one of my best friends had while in India during a semester at sea in his undergrad. He reassured me that everything you hear really can't prepare you and that some images will be burned into your memory for life. Awesome. Needless to say I'm expecting to receive a reality check on just how good we have things here in the States.
I can't wait to interact with the people also. I've had nothing but positive experiences with co-workers and friends from the area. The energy, optimism, wit and intelligence I've seen is something to be desired. Recently I've been helping to train an HR team based in Gurgaon and it's been an awesome experience. So thanks again Chaks, Pushpa, Faruk, Aanchal, Gagan, and Amit for making my job so easy. Drinks are on me at F-Bar in Gurgaon, you've earned it.
Lastly, on a lighter note, I'm surprisingly looking forward to the uniqueness of traveling in the country. From the taxi drivers on their own agenda to a metro transit that is sporadic at best, I'm sure my patience and desire for punctuality will be tested on this trip. I'm guessing this guy probably couldn't handle it.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
स्वागत ("Swaagat", Welcome)
Well here goes nothing. I'm dipping my toes into the proverbial blogging world. Joining the masses of broke, lazy, males that dominate the blogosphere. Thank you to Annie for showing me the ropes on how to blog. Please be kind as this is certainly an experiment as much as it will be my attempt to share my experience. Why the blog? It's pretty simple : I'm going to India, the few friends and family I have want to keep in touch, and I'm always open to new technology. Blogging this 16 day adventure to India seemed like the solution.
To give you some filler, one of my biggest regrets was having not traveled abroad during my undergrad years and one of the main draws for me to the University of Minnesota and their HR graduate program was the chance to go abroad. There were plenty of options from full semeters abroad in all sorts of locations. I picked India for many reasons. First, the culture is one of the most fascinating to me. Second, it's going to put me out of my comfort zone more so than China or Brazil would. Lastly, I believe the business and personal connection to India is strong with the career path I have chosen.
I really don't know what to expect from this trip. To give you an idea, the academic portion consists of our group visiting and speaking with business leaders of companies such as Lenovo, United Health Group, Ameriprise Financial, and Target to name a few. We've been instructed on the seriousness and confidentiality concerns of these meetings so I will likely not be able to share any details of these experiences. These visits will take up most of our time during the days leaving us the night to roam about.
The meetings and academic portion I'm really looking forward, but the most excitment lies in the unknown and unstructured evenings we will have free to explore. This is what I hope to share extensively through this blog. I am aiming to recreate my experience as much as possible through this blog so my goal will be to share as many photos, video, audio and whatever other media I can think of with you as possible.
So welcome to the blog. I hope it satisfies and some of you find it entertaining yet informative. I hope I don't get attacked by a leopard while I'm over there.
- D
To give you some filler, one of my biggest regrets was having not traveled abroad during my undergrad years and one of the main draws for me to the University of Minnesota and their HR graduate program was the chance to go abroad. There were plenty of options from full semeters abroad in all sorts of locations. I picked India for many reasons. First, the culture is one of the most fascinating to me. Second, it's going to put me out of my comfort zone more so than China or Brazil would. Lastly, I believe the business and personal connection to India is strong with the career path I have chosen.
I really don't know what to expect from this trip. To give you an idea, the academic portion consists of our group visiting and speaking with business leaders of companies such as Lenovo, United Health Group, Ameriprise Financial, and Target to name a few. We've been instructed on the seriousness and confidentiality concerns of these meetings so I will likely not be able to share any details of these experiences. These visits will take up most of our time during the days leaving us the night to roam about.
The meetings and academic portion I'm really looking forward, but the most excitment lies in the unknown and unstructured evenings we will have free to explore. This is what I hope to share extensively through this blog. I am aiming to recreate my experience as much as possible through this blog so my goal will be to share as many photos, video, audio and whatever other media I can think of with you as possible.
So welcome to the blog. I hope it satisfies and some of you find it entertaining yet informative. I hope I don't get attacked by a leopard while I'm over there.
- D
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