ARRIVED!
As of 2 am local time, I am in my hotel room in Bangalore.
First, praise God that I was able to make the trip. Starting with God providing the opportunity to come here at all by providing a work funded trip to the most recent miracle of getting my visa approved in time for flight (provided two days quicker than normal)
Second, wow! The trip from airport to hotel was EXCITING, and I mean that in the adrenaline way. I thought I was somewhat prepared for wild traffic situations but what I experienced had me thinking how glad the folks back home were praying. To give an accurate picture is very difficult, but imagine the combination of high speeds, rapid lane changes, weaving between buses, trucks and motorcycles, ignoring traffic lights, horn beeping constantly, and many many near collisions, you may be close to understanding what it was like. Getting in a cab in the US, I may not think to put my seatbelt on, but it only took about 10 seconds out of the airport and I began looking for the safety belt and running through a mental checklist of where my medical insurance card was, the number to call if I was injured, and debating what would happen if I was injured enough that I could not speak on my own behalf. I think you get the picture. Enough said.
I got to hotel and was impressed with the security. The hotel is gated and has security personnel 24x7, and scanners for both bags and people which was comforting except when I started wondering why all that security was needed. In any case, I was glad it was there, even though it delayed me getting to bed and it was already 2am. But even then did not get to bed right away because as soon as I turned my phone on, urgent US issues came in. I did not wind up getting to sleep until 4am.
By the way, on the way to hotel, as I mentioned the driver beeped his horn constantly. Most of the time he was warding off a car or truck encroaching his lanes, but sometimes he appeared to beep for no reason that I could see. At first, I thought he had confused his turn signal with his horn, but I began to notice that there were dogs EVERYWHERE. They were on every corner and lounging in doorways, etc. He would have to beep everyone once in a while to keep from running into them. Fortunately the dogs seemed pretty car savvy and stayed clear.
Today was my first day at the office. I did not have a full itinerary so set my alarm for 9:30 (a short night considering not getting to bed until 4am). Surprisingly had no trouble getting up when the alarm went off, but my email included an agenda that started at 10am at a location 15 minutes away, so I started out running late. Overall today was a good day of meetings with the GE team here. They showed me also where I can run safely so that I can continue my marathon training. They did look very shocked expression when I told them I needed a 25k route
Tomorrow morning I am going to the IJM office in Bangalore and I am really excited about it. I have been asked to lead the staff devotions that morning. I am a little nervous about that and appreciate your prayers. On Sunday I will have the opportunity to meet some of the clients as they will be having a monthly client support meeting. Bangalore IJM office focuses on bonded labor issues and so clients are former slaves in brick kilns and rock quarries. So aftercare for these clients focuses on dealing with their new independence and finding a proper job. Some were born to parents who are slaves so they know nothing about the outside world or how to go about doing regular everyday activities.
Briefly again, here is the schedule of events
Friday, Bangalore IJM office in am, GE work in afternoon
Saturday ???
Sunday, monthly support meeting of IJM clients
Monday, back to GE, then fly to Chennai in evening, stay at HBI
Tuesday, IJM office in am, HBI staff meeting in afternoon
Wednesday - HBI staff mtg continued, fly to Mumbai in evening
Thursday, spend day with IJM staff in Mumbai (sex trafficking), possibly visit red light area or aftercare facilities)
Friday, GE work day
Saturday early am, start the flight home
One closing thought. I have been in India less than 24 hours, but I have to say I have deep feelings already for the people of India. Their problems are large and difficult but their spirit is warm and outlook is positive. I have a lot to learn from them. I know I am going to be sorry to leave.
Thanks for your interest. I am very excited about this opportunity. More to come on this blog.
Tim
As of 2 am local time, I am in my hotel room in Bangalore.
First, praise God that I was able to make the trip. Starting with God providing the opportunity to come here at all by providing a work funded trip to the most recent miracle of getting my visa approved in time for flight (provided two days quicker than normal)
Second, wow! The trip from airport to hotel was EXCITING, and I mean that in the adrenaline way. I thought I was somewhat prepared for wild traffic situations but what I experienced had me thinking how glad the folks back home were praying. To give an accurate picture is very difficult, but imagine the combination of high speeds, rapid lane changes, weaving between buses, trucks and motorcycles, ignoring traffic lights, horn beeping constantly, and many many near collisions, you may be close to understanding what it was like. Getting in a cab in the US, I may not think to put my seatbelt on, but it only took about 10 seconds out of the airport and I began looking for the safety belt and running through a mental checklist of where my medical insurance card was, the number to call if I was injured, and debating what would happen if I was injured enough that I could not speak on my own behalf. I think you get the picture. Enough said.
I got to hotel and was impressed with the security. The hotel is gated and has security personnel 24x7, and scanners for both bags and people which was comforting except when I started wondering why all that security was needed. In any case, I was glad it was there, even though it delayed me getting to bed and it was already 2am. But even then did not get to bed right away because as soon as I turned my phone on, urgent US issues came in. I did not wind up getting to sleep until 4am.
By the way, on the way to hotel, as I mentioned the driver beeped his horn constantly. Most of the time he was warding off a car or truck encroaching his lanes, but sometimes he appeared to beep for no reason that I could see. At first, I thought he had confused his turn signal with his horn, but I began to notice that there were dogs EVERYWHERE. They were on every corner and lounging in doorways, etc. He would have to beep everyone once in a while to keep from running into them. Fortunately the dogs seemed pretty car savvy and stayed clear.
Today was my first day at the office. I did not have a full itinerary so set my alarm for 9:30 (a short night considering not getting to bed until 4am). Surprisingly had no trouble getting up when the alarm went off, but my email included an agenda that started at 10am at a location 15 minutes away, so I started out running late. Overall today was a good day of meetings with the GE team here. They showed me also where I can run safely so that I can continue my marathon training. They did look very shocked expression when I told them I needed a 25k route
Tomorrow morning I am going to the IJM office in Bangalore and I am really excited about it. I have been asked to lead the staff devotions that morning. I am a little nervous about that and appreciate your prayers. On Sunday I will have the opportunity to meet some of the clients as they will be having a monthly client support meeting. Bangalore IJM office focuses on bonded labor issues and so clients are former slaves in brick kilns and rock quarries. So aftercare for these clients focuses on dealing with their new independence and finding a proper job. Some were born to parents who are slaves so they know nothing about the outside world or how to go about doing regular everyday activities.
Briefly again, here is the schedule of events
Friday, Bangalore IJM office in am, GE work in afternoon
Saturday ???
Sunday, monthly support meeting of IJM clients
Monday, back to GE, then fly to Chennai in evening, stay at HBI
Tuesday, IJM office in am, HBI staff meeting in afternoon
Wednesday - HBI staff mtg continued, fly to Mumbai in evening
Thursday, spend day with IJM staff in Mumbai (sex trafficking), possibly visit red light area or aftercare facilities)
Friday, GE work day
Saturday early am, start the flight home
One closing thought. I have been in India less than 24 hours, but I have to say I have deep feelings already for the people of India. Their problems are large and difficult but their spirit is warm and outlook is positive. I have a lot to learn from them. I know I am going to be sorry to leave.
Thanks for your interest. I am very excited about this opportunity. More to come on this blog.
Tim
thanks for the updates, looks like a really intense but cool schedule
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