Picnic

For anyone who has attended the IS Picnic in Minneapolis, I just have to say, we don't have nearly as much fun as they do in India. This picnic was unlike any I have been to. There were team building activities, there was rock climbing, there was rappelling, there was balancing on a rope and that was only before lunch. After lunch there was swimming and a rain dance. Most of you, like me, have probably never experienced a rain dance. I expected dancing around some object in an effort to make it rain (as in from the sky). Further, I thought this a little pointless since the chance of rain in February is about nil. Boy was I wrong. There was a DJ who kept a stream of high energy music going while lots of sprinklers rained water down on us. It was great in the hot heat of the afternoon. The sprinklers were pool side so there was a lot of switching between swimming and rain dancing. You have to see the pictures to understand.

Are you smarter than a stove?

Well, the issues with the mice was not resolved and I have moved to a new apartment over the weekend. I'm 5 floors higher so hopefully the mice won't be able to follow. I returned to my old apartment after a night away to pick up a couple more things and my decision to move was confirmed after I saw what the mice did with free rein of the apartment for a night. I'm starting to think instead of mice, I had a pack of wild dogs. My new apartment has been more recently renovated than the old apartment and is very nice. I don't have as nice of view but that is a small price to pay. I was lucky to get a heads up from the other ex-pats that the new stove is different because the stove is easily smarter than I am. I figured out how to turn on the stove but the pans from my old apartment never got hot. I was thoroughly confused. My very helpful fellow ex-pats told that the stove works with special pans that when burner and pan link, only then does the pan get hot. After requesting and receiving pans from the front desk, I put this to the test because come on, no stove links with its pans does it??? Sure enough, the pan almost instantly got hot but the burner itself was hardly warm. This is an amazing invention! However, I don't even want to know how expensive these pans are or what happens if/when I scorch one.

Super Mouse Update

I just got word from the hotel that the super mouse has been found attached to the sticky trap hiding under the dishwasher. I actually feel bad for the mouse, it must have been terrified all day. Anyway, I'm assured the problem has been taken care of and all further holes have been patched. Also they completely cleaned the apartment and shampooed the carpet. I'm giving it another go but I have another apartment available to switch to if this fix fails.

Super Mouse and Normalcy

So much to write about today. I have another chapter to share in the rodent drama that has become my life. The hotel has gotten involved in trying to evict the rodent from my apartment. They boarded up where they thought he was getting in but that didn't seem to stop him. Then last night, they put large sticky traps down to try to catch him in the act. This concerned me because if it was successful and we caught the rodent, I would have to face him in the morning and I didn't relish staring down one angry rodent. Fast forward to this morning. I heard him last night so I knew he had been there. I cracked the door but didn't see anything. I snuck out slowly but still nothing. The rodent had taken the whole trap with him! There was evidence of his passing, some eaten bananas, a wrapper, rodent droppings, but no rodent and no trap. Well, this was the last straw for me. I requested a new apartment this morning. He's given me good blog material but I give up, he won.

My other story for the day happened shortly after I arrived at work. I went down to get some coffee at the local coffee shop. After navigating the road successfully and on my own I might add. The coffee shop could have been from the US, it is just like any Starbucks or Caribou. After spending time inside it was almost like being back in the US. But then I walked outside and on the sidewalk on a busy Mumbai street walked a large cow with a dog following right behind. They walked the whole way down the sidewalk while I watched. That site absolutely, without question, reminded me where I was and I know I'll miss events like that when I come home.

Bank

Today I visited an Indian bank for the first time. My task, changing large ATM bills into smaller usable ones. I have been on a quest for 50 rupee bills to use for tips. I had already asked at the exchange counter at the airport and the hotel. Anyway, back to the story. Upon walking in the door, I was startled by the man standing there with the very large gun. I wouldn't want to rob a bank here when the guards carry that fire power. Not knowing where to go, I asked at the "Can I help you" sign. They directed me to the "Cash" counter which made a lot of sense but was one I was hoping to avoid since right by the counter was, you guessed it, another man holding a very large gun. While standing in line, I tried not to make eye contact with the guard in case I looked guilty. After getting to the counter, I handed over my bills which were then counted by a machine that basically flips them. It was pretty cool actually. He then gave me the smallest bills he had, 100 rupees. My hunt for the elusive 50 continues.

Confirmation

Ok, I am definitely not alone. Now I just have to figure out what species my roommate is. I've started sleeping with my bedroom door closed and locked. Any guesses on what is eating my fruit? I'm guessing mouse (please don't be a rat) or bugs. Out of those, I would definitely prefer a cute little mouse. Please comment with your votes!

On top of the world

I've been missing home and loved ones this week. This is the longest Dave and I have been apart and communication is more difficult than I anticipated. Sometimes when you're feeling low, something happens to pick you up. Another colleague from work, Jack, was visiting this week and last night we did a little touristing. At the end of the night, we visited InterContinental hotel in South Mumbai. The timing ended up just right to view the sunset over the Arabian Sea. It was wonderful and the open air restaurant was so relaxing. I was reminded of how much I have learned about the area and people since I arrived. It's amazing the subtleties you pick up by co-existing and not just talking on the phone. I know this experience will make me a better person and employee. That purpose really makes the homesickness worth it. I know the pictures don't do it justice but it will give you an idea!