Now that its been a while the frustration begins to kick in. The first few weeks were great with mini sphiphanies every second. Seeing a different way of doing business, exploring another culture, meeting people, learning new things, finding my feet.
But with it comes some things that just don't seem to be sorting itself out. I feel like i come from a clock work society and at times its a shock to the system when some things just don't get done.
The culture and fitting in, questions as to how much i should be me and how much i should adapt. The differences between men and women and the way they interact. Being here it really makes me realise the assumptions i make in my daily life as they no longer hold up.
Today its another day at the office and the details of my project and why i am here are still unclear. At first i thought they had it under control, they always had something for me to do. Study this, learn this, go on a customer visit and it was great and they were friendly and encouraging. I am beginning to think that its all somewhat of a distraction because there is no project. Either that or they don't want me to work on it.
My attempts to ask for something and draw up a plan once again got a wait. Sometimes with the Indians it seems that you just need to be patient and they will sort it ou. Yet some things seem to just drag on and on.
So why am i here away from the comforts of home?
Friday, June 22, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Mumbai (Bombay) - A never ending city
Mumbai (or Bombay if you prefer) is a large city. By large i mean so large the meaning of "large takes on a new meaning.
Take the CBD of melbourne, create about 50 replicas, age them by about 100 years, add some random bridges to connect the replicas, fill with ocean, Add 4-5 beautiful modern building in unexpected places and fill every other place with people and slums. Then you have Bombay!
This is a bustling city which never ends and makes Sydney's traffic problems a dream come through.
Flying in it was a never ending plethora of buildings and slums - walking around the whole concept of privacy and personal space disapears. Yet there's beauty in the simplicity of life, in the friendliness of people in helping one another.
Having been in India for about a month now i think i am almost used to it. Its lovely and frustrating and rich and poor and luxurious and poverty stricken all at the same time. Completely in your face with ups and downs.
At times i love it, the experience of being here, figuring out how to get around and get things done, the work, my project, the opportunities this will bring in the future, being paid to travel.
Other times i just feel like crying, being away from creature comforts, every experience turning into a challenge at the best of times, the endless waiting which seems to be an integral part of life here, the fact that most things work some of the time and that its ok like that.
Take the CBD of melbourne, create about 50 replicas, age them by about 100 years, add some random bridges to connect the replicas, fill with ocean, Add 4-5 beautiful modern building in unexpected places and fill every other place with people and slums. Then you have Bombay!
This is a bustling city which never ends and makes Sydney's traffic problems a dream come through.
Flying in it was a never ending plethora of buildings and slums - walking around the whole concept of privacy and personal space disapears. Yet there's beauty in the simplicity of life, in the friendliness of people in helping one another.
Having been in India for about a month now i think i am almost used to it. Its lovely and frustrating and rich and poor and luxurious and poverty stricken all at the same time. Completely in your face with ups and downs.
At times i love it, the experience of being here, figuring out how to get around and get things done, the work, my project, the opportunities this will bring in the future, being paid to travel.
Other times i just feel like crying, being away from creature comforts, every experience turning into a challenge at the best of times, the endless waiting which seems to be an integral part of life here, the fact that most things work some of the time and that its ok like that.
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