india

I'm on my second day where I feel relatively jet-lag free.  This is as good a time as any, to mention what is different about Traffic in Bangalore.  There seems to be a whole new (but not all new to my experience) rules for traffic navigation. Despite what the numerous signs and dotted lines suggest, lanes are defined by the width of the vehicles next to you right now. Traffic signal lights are suggestions, that you follow only so far as someone in the other direction is tired of waiting for a green and is willing to put the front of their vehicle in front of your movement....

So, I have been in Bangalore now for five days, but something happened two days ago, that I was a bit surprised by... I've eaten at several places since I've been here, though, only one place would I consider having what I'm guessing is actual Indian food.  Which is to say, I've mostly eaten at hotels, or foreign Restaurants.  My room rate, at the hotel I'm staying in, comes with free Breakfast, so that's the one meal I will always eat at the hotel....

Went for a walk (more on that after the jump).  So, back in the hotel... watching TV.  There's an advertisement for a women's beauty product that seems to promise itself as a skin lightener.  I thought of this as crazy (even though Indian friends of mine have mentioned this before), so while writing this paragraph, I found a blog describing skin lightening products for men.  Of course, products that market to a 'better self-esteem' are popular everywhere, but ....

For the first time, I'll be going to India soon.  I leave at the end of this week, and I'll be back just before Thanksgiving.  I'm very excited and very nervous about this trip.  It seems that this will be a major part of my career development.  It will also be chaotic working hours, as I'll be meeting with different departments that work all different hours of the day.  Many are suggesting that I try to work UK hours, due to the natural overlap that GMT possesses, but alas, I'm already in meetings that will start at 9:30 local time, so ....