3/08/08 Saturday Traffic.....

On my way to Pondy Bizarre we entered this intersection where everyone was entering it at the same time....... It was the first time I have ever not been able to move. It took about 15 min. before the traffic released itself......... WOW!

I finally made it to the store to find some pots and pans..... Boy, did I have a selection.

Every kind, shape and size in the world was there..... I wanted to push this large stack over, but I thought I'd better not......

Enjoy these video's....... Sometimes you just need a little sound for it all to make sense........

3/06/08 Cleaning the side of our building

If you think you have a tough job, check these guys out........

I took these pictures right outside my window. They stopped cleaning to have their picture taken...... Don't they look like their having fun!

By the way, if I didn't tell you...... I'm on the 11th floor of a 13 story building! WOW!

3/2/08 New Facility "POOJA"

The day before our facility opened up we had some spiritual people come in and perform a "pooja". Basically, we had our facility blessed Indian style...... Man, was it different!

You have to hear it...... pictures don't do it justice.

Enjoy!

2/28/08 - Traditional Indian Wedding

Where do I begin........ I will try to explain as much as I can, But if you ever get a chance to experience this, don't pass it up...... WOW! 

First of all, all the men meet in one place and all the women meet in another and they eat.... At some point, the band starts a procession, all the men lead the way, all wearing these hats (not sure of the name),  then the groom rides along on his horse, all the while, separating the women from the men..... The women follow behind the horse......

We finally end up at the wedding hall where the groom meets the mother and other ladies... They place dots on his forehead and they also try to pinch his nose.... This is suppose to mean something - as to whether he's going to be hen picked or in control of his house..... He actually keeps them from pinching his nose by covering it with a handkerchief.... 

Then at some point the bride comes out to meet him. After a few ceremonial things happen, they make their way inside..... Understand, while all this is going on, the family is inside on stage meeting and greeting the other family...... You see, these people don't know each other at all..... The bride and groom may have met maybe once or twice before this ceremony takes place..... This is what they call a planned wedding. If you look real close, the bride and groom don't look very happy... Actually they're quite scared.

After a little break, the bride and groom settle into this little area for the ceremony..... Not that many people witness this, as everyone is in another hall eating and talking.... You see, during this whole event there are all these different things going on.... In our world everyone is focused on the bride and groom..... Here, they're eating talking and barely paying attention..... During this part especially, I was even pulled away to go to some other function. So, I never saw the ending.... Who cares? Was the feeling I got..... But then for the next 3 days, they have different receptions and parties... Then everything is back to normal....... By the way, this wedding took place on a Thursday morning. It started around 11am...

This is some sights and sounds of when the groom meets the mother and the other ladies as he comes up to the hall......

2/25/08 Traveling The Countryside of Chennai

On this day, I went and bought some pots and pans in a section of town call Pondy Bizarre.....

Then, I went and picked out some fabric to have some curtains made........ For the whole Apt. it cost less than $250 (including the cost of the fabric). I think thats pretty cheap!

Later in the day, we rode out to the old facility for a meeting....... It's 45min. out of town.

 And along the way I just couldn't pass up some of the country side...... And this was nothing..... I'm not sure why water jugs were hanging along the road..... If I find out, I'll let you know. It was just weird.....

2/21/08 Found Apt.

Here's my apt (minus furniture)...... The apt. is in an area called the Boat Club...... It's also within walking distance to the Park Sheraton Hotel. Where you can get American food!

It has a little patio, 3 bedrooms, dining room, living room and of course a kitchen..... Notice all the green trees when you look out of each window........


It feels really Great!

2/20/08 Railways Day

On this day, one of the many things I did was to go to the railway station..... This station is called Chennai Central..... You can either buy your tickets online or stand behind the screen..... As you can see, Deepak is showing me where to go........ This railway station for traveling within the country of India. Across the street there was another station for the local Chennai trains....... ALL ABOARD!

If you left your water at home, there were these troughs to fill up your water bottles...... If I were you, don't leave your water bottles at home!

If you want you can get someone to help you with your bags..... This is a scene is out of a movie. Notice the old guy in the background, the guys in the foreground are carrying his bags..... 



This huge building holds 2 huge waiting areas. This is where you wait for your train to arrive. Some people actually sit on the floors while they wait.

This guy is saying good by to his wife through the window and I'm pretending to go for  a ride.....

I also had the opportunity to board the engine to see all controls and how the engineers work the train..... It's not the kind of job you'd want. I'd rather be a pilot!


All the trains are electric. 

Before your travels, you can buy your Indian Sweets. They even make fast food Indian if your in a hurry.....

Here's the basic magazine stand and if you brought a bomb with you, they also have a bomb dept. to detect them....... WOW!

And of course, they have scales to check your weight and to give out predictions....... Sorry I can't tell you my prediction!

Play this movie to see how close you can come to missing you train!

Enjoy!