Bhaia Right Jao

Tears coming from a piece of paper

2007-11-21T20:53:00.001-08:00

Some of my favorite people in the world are in Oman right now. People who know these guys know they are just awesome. I can't really describe what it is to work with them and to know that they are just going to rock the world in the very near future.

I got the best letter from one of them today... that just.. ROCKED MY WORLD! It reminded me how little things can be huge things for other people. Anything can mean everything. To you and to others.

Maybe things that we do every day are worth something! And when you realize that.... you know you should keep doing them! Life is great.

Showing pictures to my aunt

2007-09-28T19:44:00.001-07:00

One night I'm sitting on my bed talking to my aunt and showing her pictures. It's when talking to others that I realize how lucky I've been with experiences I've lived, the places I've seen and the people I've met.

When showing her pictures I found myself saying, this friend lives in Egypt, this one is from Belgium, these two are in India and are from the US and the UK, I talked to people in 6 different countries just today. And then she asked me, how many countries have you visited? and I said 11. To many that might be nothing. But when I'm talking to people that have never left the country and that have given up many dreams, it means a lot.

Coming back to Venezuela was great opportunity to see what I left behind and appreciate where I have gone and how much I have grown. Sometimes we change and don't realize how much.

I no longer think that getting married is a requirment before getting to be 25. Oh yeah.. that's the first question I get when I see family and friends I haven't seen in a long time. To that I respond.. yeah I graduated from college last year, got a great job, live in NYC, have visited many countries, I'm happy. But they still hang up on the fact that I am not married haha. Not saying I won't get married but I had other things I wanted to experience before jumping into that! Well if you see me with a baby next year you'll say Venezuela changed me again hehe.

Two months later...

2007-09-28T19:33:00.000-07:00

While I was in India I was blogging almost every day. I got to Venezuela and I haven't said a thing. I think in India I was using it as a way out and I've been too relaxed at home? Well I have been busy.

Leaving India was a bunch of mixed feelings. I was glad to come back home after so long. But I got really sad to leave my awesome roommates there. I know I will see them sometime soon! Miss you guys!

Being in Venezuela has been great. Definitely different living with the parents again after 7 years. But I am no longer a teenager and being able to say "I want to take you on a vacation" and doing it is a step up! I have spent awesome moments with the family mostly. I'll be posting later about my adventures here, even if they are out of order.

For now, I am very excited to say that I got my work visa and I will be traveling back to the US in 29 hours. I think it'll be interesting to go back to the land of processes and having the feeling again that you can get what you want through customer services... even if you have to fight a little.

On Sunday I'll be in Miami and get to see a great friend. On Monday, I'll head back to NYC straight to the office. It'll be great to see many people after 4 months. There better be sushi and martinis that night!

Going back to "mi tierra natal"

2007-08-02T01:59:00.000-07:00

I'm going back to Venezuela!

I am having paper tickets shipped from the US. Yeah I know.. I had to buy my tickets there so I could get a deal. The best bid here was $3000 from Europe to Venezuela. I can't fly through the US since I don't have a visa but was lucky enough to find a cheaper option going through Europe. Those that have priviledged passports should appreciate them.

I will be leaving India on Thursday August 9th at 9:15am. My internary includes 4 countries. I will spend 1 night in Munich then head to Madrid to later arrive to Caracas later that Sunday. Still missing a flight to Valencia but thanks to those dollars out in the Venezuelan (black) market I should be getting a good deal.

It's a long overdue visit. I haven't been to Venezuela in 3 years and even back then I only spent 5 days with my family. I haven't seen my parents in over a year so they are very excited. I am also making it in time for my dad's birthday. First I'll spend with him in 7 years.

So anyone.. if you want to visit Venezuela while I'm there you have an invitation. I should be leaving at the end of September so you have plenty of time!

Arepas, Merengue and Rum... here I come!

Where will I be next Tuesday?

2007-07-31T00:11:00.000-07:00

This is the first post in 2 weeks when I was actually updating my blog even twice a day for a while. Yes, I’m not that much of a freak now. Things have been busy as I am trying to do many things with almost no access to the internets (yes they are plural).

A couple of weeks ago I went to Hyderabad and the best was getting to sleep on a very comfy bed (real mattresses are nice) and the worst was getting licked by a man when entering a monument. No I'm not kidding... it was his tongue on my shoulder.

These past two weeks have been insane at work because the internet in our office here has been down, up for two days during which the VPN in the US office was down (which means I could not connect or do any work) and then after getting the VPN fixed I was informed by the IT people that our wireless in the office here was completely down again (but this time it meant that they were not fixing it). Betsy is fighting with them to see if we can get set up but of course they won’t do it quickly. Everything has to take two weeks to get done. In the meantime I'm working from home (when the power cuts allow me to).

Why am I getting into so many details? Well.., these two weeks I've done a lot of thinking. And it has come to two options: 1. I stay and live the cultural experience while doing some traveling and prove that I can face the many many challenges I’ve faced while being here OR 2. I decide for my job and make a move where I have the infrastructure and stability I need to fulfill my responsibilities (which means not leaving Paul with the weight of them and sacrifice his sanity). If you guys know me you know I chose number two.

I will be leaving India as soon as possible… probably will make it to Venezuela within the next week (granted I get an appointment with the US embassy there). If not, I will be going somewhere in Europe. If these options fail, I have an appointment with the embassy in India at the end of August but then I’ll think about moving to a resort in the South while I wait. That’s it… I only have 3 continents to choose from (unless someone tells me they have someone in Australia that wants to help me).

I’ll update everyone soon once I know where I will be next Tuesday.

Being Thrown Off A Rickshaw: CHECK

2007-07-17T13:44:00.000-07:00

OK... got the checkmark on that one.

Ben and I were on a rickshaw when i see a motorcycle coming on the left but did not see the bike on the right when trying to get away from the former we crash with the latter and next thing I feel is the ground under me. Yeap... hand and ankle got the hit... but the first thing i checked was my laptop of course. No damage there. I turned left and Ben had been thrown off too. I knew that the thing hadn't been the typical thing of a foreigner being thrown off a rickshaw when nobody around us laughed.

We are both fine. Now definitely remembering it as yet another experience in India.

Btw.. this was the same rickshaw driver from "ten points if you take that man down" (see below). I guess he got 50 points for this one.

Hyderabad Here I Come... and There Comes My Money!

2007-07-17T01:54:00.000-07:00

So after some very tough weeks I get to take a break and travel. There is a board meeting this weekend (on a boat btw.. I'll even make the finance update to get on that boat... no Betsy, I'm not serious) and I'm tagging along. I will be away from Friday afternoon through Sunday. No idea what I'll be doing there but who cares!!!!!!! What matters is that I'll be away from Gurgaon for more than 60 hours.... 60 long hours. I simply can't wait.

AND... it seems like I'll finally get paid this week... two months of draining my savings and my brother.. but finally I get my own money (monkey money ma'am monkey money!). I'll def be doing some traveling. What's the point of taking rupees back to the US? Now I just need to convince some people that I need 30 days of vacation... anyone have some really good convincing tactics (torturing is not accepted as I am not in the same geographical location)? If you know who I work with blackmailing information is welcome.

Welcome to India, Sucker!

2007-07-16T02:24:00.000-07:00

A week ago we got a new addition to the family. Our pimp Ben is here!

Once again I learn not to say good-bye. At a conference in South Carolina earlier this year I had said bye to Ben as he was going back to the UK. I didn't know I was going to see him again, so soon and in India. Pretty cool ah?

Betsy is super excited to have someone else to help her take the orgainzation to the next level and I'm super happy to have two cool cubicle neighbors that will make my days brighter. And to be honest, Betsy and I are also excited because we have a guy that will accompany us in the streets (pimp). You have no idea how important it is here for girls to not walk around by themselves, especially at night. So sorry Ben but get ready to be used!

Ben, welcome to India! The beginnings are hard but you are in for an experience!

Ten points if you take that man down

2007-07-11T03:19:00.000-07:00

Score!!!!
A man backed up into our rickshaw yesterday, the rickshaw took him down and the back wheel went over him. Him and the driver almost got into a fight with us in the middle but at last we just kept going. The man seemed fine but I bet he woke up with a sore behind.

Reverse Cultural Shock

2007-07-10T02:23:00.000-07:00

While in India?

I called the US Embassy to get some help and I was greeted by a "Hello".. hello!!!!!!. When I asked the lady "how are you?" she actually responded: "I am fine ma'am, how are you?". Did she just ask me how I was? Then.. the most surprising thing happened. When I told what I was calling about she was able to find what the problem was. Not only that, she gave me a solution. And it took her a total of 10 seconds! TEN SECONDS! That's efficiency. The US Embassy definitely has its employees under US policies.

Cultural Shock

2007-07-08T22:36:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to write this post for a while but hadn't gotten around to.

Here are a few things that have been different from what I am used to:

Men holding hands (fingers laced). It's really normal for friends to walk around holding hands. Even brothers and sisters. I guess it's the only human contact they get before getting married.

Dress code for women. A different perspective. You should not show your shoulders but the tummy is fine. For me the waist and belly are far more sensual than the shoulders. Totally the opposite here. No spaguetti straps but go ahead and wear the shirt just below your chest. Oh and show your whole back as well.

Cows in the street. They are more respected than people and will not get killed by a car (we would be)

Marriages and the treatment of women. I can't definitely write all about this so reading other sources is best. I just know that I am far too liberal to accept those conditions.

Language. Before coming people told me everyone spoke English. Yes at the work place. But not on your everyday life. To get anything done here I have had to have other friends help since I don't speak Hindi. Great dependence there!

The shock is not as great now. Definitely getting used to the surroundings.

Better Times

2007-07-08T22:26:00.000-07:00

I got many comments, emails, messages, etc from friends and family encouraging me. It's so rewarding to feel support of those around me (and those a little farther from me). Thank y'all (yes I'm still from Texas)!

I almost slapped myself last week. I needed to see the great opportunity I have here and stop complaining. And it seems like I did. I definitely had a good weekend. I relaxed. Yes I actually did! I got some work done, watched movies, went grocery shopping, talked to family for a long time, caught up with an old roommate, got a package from the US (with lots of lady stuff I can't find here... thanks Nata!) and a sweet bday card (a bit delayed).

Today is a good day... I finally tracked down the Venezuelan Embassy (not getting deported yet) and will be getting my new passport soon. I'm having a fairly productive work day (which Paul will appreaciate) and should be looking into some trips (to the South!) in the coming weekends.

I can't strech myself too thin. I need to go through challenges, enjoy them and learn from them. Nothing new but it has taken a lot to really get there.

Enough of boring entries... hopefully I will have some more adventures (that don't involve flooding) and will be writing about those soon. Stay tunned!

Highlights of my July 5th

2007-07-04T22:47:00.000-07:00

- Venezuela's Independence Day
- Wake up with a pool of water running down by my bed (yes again)
- Get to work.. positive thinking... productive day in mind... Adapter is not attached to my computer charger... arrrgghhhh frustration. Need to get back home. Pick it up. Back to the office. Rs. 300 later I have my adapter.
- Ready to dive into another BankRec when I realize that the server crash a few weeks ago actually deleted that as well. Around 25 hours of work added to my loss. Gotta start all over again!

But then.. good stuff:
- Had quite a productive day
- Got dinner from Moets (wonderful Cherry Honey Chicken)
- Watched a movie with the awesome roommates.

I have been wondering if I should go back home. I'm craving some stability that seems to be slipping away from me here. But I just need to be patient and strive for it! Things feel a lot better today. I am in India!! I might as well enjoy it right?

Waterfalls inside

2007-07-04T04:52:00.001-07:00

No, I'm not talking about how I'm feeling. I'm literally talking about waterfalls inside our aptarment... the water flooding our second floor last night. I head upstairs with my warm dinner in my hands and what do i see? water in the hallway. "oh oh i think.. it's been raining for like 5 minutes". Well that was enough for a stream of water to come in through my balcony and reach all the way to my roommate's room and the bathroom. Water was up to 2in high by my room.

A friend's call, a plumber and Rs. 500 later we are all good. We are up to the test as it seems like it will be rain lots again tonight.

Highlights of the event:
1. Opening my balcony door and water rushing in as a waterfall. It felt good on my feet for sure.
2. After all is settled I want to close the shutters so I can turn on the AC. I open the screen door when around 100 bugs fly into my room! I locked my room and ran screaming. Checked this morning and they were all dead on the floor. I should have taken a picture of that!

Phase II

2007-07-03T03:50:00.000-07:00

Monday:

- At home. Power failure… my computer dies while doing work

- I have a meeting. I need to take a rickshaw to a place where there is reliable infrastructure (office). None anywhere close. I find one. He says no. I want to kick him (violence sign). Ok look for another one. He says yes! Get on. Slow. Very slow. It would have been faster to run to the office. Rush downstairs to my cubicle. Set up my computer. No internet.

- Two hours later. Still no internet. Read a book. Finish Kite Runner (thanks Jen)

- Finally internet gets back on. Try to get some work done.

- After 11 hours at the office I leave

- Get home. Outside door is locked. Problem: I have no key. Call the roommates. One is in Delhi. The other one is gone to a dinner far far away. Picture: I’m standing outside, ants everywhere, it’s getting dark, men passing by are just starring, no book (see pt about finishing Kite Runner earlier in the day), and no water in the heat.

- I’m going to freak out. Neighbor comes out. She has a key. She opens the door for me.

- I’m safely inside after 45 min of getting home.

- Dinner time, leftovers time. Leftovers have gone bad (power cuts 3 times a days don’t help keep food fresh). Creative time.

- Turn stove on= heat. Sweat. Turn fans on. Still sweat as if I was in the shower.

- The poor puppy has diarrhea.

- Go to my room. Work some more.

- Call and surprise the team during a call. Power cut. Computer dies. Dropped call.

- Try to go to sleep. Still no electricity. No electricity = no AC, no fan. Hot. Very hot. I want to read. Too dark. Try to fall sleep again. Too hot. Power is back. Finally sleep.

- The day is over.

To me these used to be small things. Not anymore. These things make my eyes water. They make me wonder if I am indeed the strong person I believed myself to be. These are signs of the second phase of cultural shock: you can’t complete small tasks and you are too hard on yourself.

It’s official… phase II started last week. The honeymoon stage is gone after only 10 days.

I feel like I’m losing focus. Apparently it’s really easy here. But things are coming together. It just takes time. Now it’s all about being patient and letting these experiences change me for the better.

Bhaia Right Jao?

2007-07-03T03:41:00.000-07:00

Some people have asked me what that means and why I named my blog that.
It means "Brother right turn". It was the first thing I learned here: giving directions to a rickshaw driver.
It being the first thing makes it special. But I also thought that this experience was also a huge turn in my life. An unexpected one. I never imagined I would spend almost 4 months in India. It was also a decision. But one in another direction. Now all i need to figure out is if this turn was the right one to make.

Monkey Money!

2007-06-29T12:27:00.001-07:00

On the way to Agra I got to see my first monkeys. Made the mistake of taking a picture and then was asked for "monkey money". After being asked for way too much money and crushing some fingers with my window we got surrounded by even more people. The cool thing was that we actually saw a real cobra! No picture because I don't think I could take the harassment of cobra money too. We were lucky because after a few minutes Betsy and I realized that the doors were not locked. Oops!

We arrived to Agra and visited the Taj Mahal. Lucky to have visited after only 10 days here. It was an awesome experience that was in danger of being ruined by an annoying tourist guide (that Betsy bargained down to Rs. 20 (50 cents for an hour and a half) and the exhausting heat that the month of June in India brings us. Still... we can say... WE SAW THE TAJ!!

Ah.. and of course... I went to an AIESEC Conference... couldn't break tradition! Saw excellent dancing, lots of LC pride, bottles exploding and spraying Coke all over the ceiling while 300 people drank massive amounts (and they were no cuba libres). Kinda of sad I missed Skolling (huge tradition here) but hopefully some other time.

Indian flies= Venezuelan flies + American Flies

2007-06-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

Same amount as in Venezuela.
Same speed as in the US.

They come by the lots, they are everywhere, and are super slow.

At least they are easier to get rid off than bed bugs (missing the good old JC).

India!

2007-06-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

I finally decided to get a blog after many many requests. Let the experience begin!

I arrived safely. Betsy has taken great care of me. I can't even describe how thankful I am. We have an awesome apartment, another great roommate, i have office space and after two weeks i finally got an AC!

I feel like a kid that is learning everything for the first time. I felt like i had accomplished one of the greatest goals in my life when I took a rickshaw by myself and actually made it to my destination. I had a flashback to when I used to live in Venezuela when I was crossing the streets (except for the cows that stop the traffic and never get hit but I know cars won't stop for me).

It's interesting... I feel like I'm back home with no systems, bureacracy, taking days or weeks to get one thing done, frustration but also great food, nice people, lovely music and adventures every day. But it's not my country. I don't speak the language and no one has my shade of brown.

It's cultural shock all over again after 7 years of being out of my country... all over again and yet another level.

Outsourced

2007-06-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

I was supposed to be here

And ended up here

Vueltas que da la vida... I made a turn. Let's see if it was the right one.