French Quarter

These pictures are from my room at the Beatle motel in beautiful downtown Mumbai. This area was to mimic a French Quarter, however I have not seen a poodle and the women here shave their legs. This hotel is not as luxurious as the Leela, but it's location and lack of pretension has drawn me in. The first morning I walked out of the hotel there was no surrounding gate to 'protect' us from the culture. When we put up walls we beckon all in....There is a coffee shop, several ATMs in about a 100 feet, about a quarter to half mile down the road is a huge mall . I believe it is the Caladia(SP) Mall, but is supposed to have EVERYTHING, and several really nice restaurants near by. The Beatle has 3 restaurants, I have only had the pleasure of dining at one..so far. The people that work at the Hotel are very nice and accommodating. I ended up taking a taxi this week as the return trip is very hard for the auto rickshaws, but I may try that next week. Walking is not going to be an option, the route is as busy 9:00 pm at night as it is at 10:30 am. My being overwhelmed on my last visit had me anxious on this one. But I am in a better place this visit mentally and more accepting of what Mumbai has to offer, because Mumbai offers life from the richness of it's Bollywood to the raw humanity of the indigent, and that is OK. That is life, we accept and move on at any level and the measure of the richness can be found in a mud puddle as well in a pool in a palace.
I am intrigued every time I step out of my shell. I am currently seeking a guide for meditation and one of my colleagues has a relative who is working on it. Living in the current, in the now. Sounds daunting to me, but worth the effort if I can become more aligned.
Today I got up, made out my laundry list threw all my clothes that I could wear here in Mumbai into a bag. They have a DO NOT DISTURB and on the back of that sign they have a DO DISTURB (this is a first or me), so I hung the DO DISTURB on the knob facing out, so you know they read the DO NOT DISTURB and I came home to dirty towels and laundry. lol. I am sure they think I am one of those filthy American bohemians. Lesson Learned, don't put anything on the door especially if you are already disturbed, and trust me, most of you are or you would not be reading this blog.
Ted and Judy, hello in L.A. Patty, keep up the good work, I think what you are doing is within the realm of a compassionate warrior. She will come to reason or she will not come.
Oh, news of the press, Maria Hackenson is retiring. I have tears running down my face. I have met many people in my short time here, but I must say, I have not met a more witty charming and devilish person I find fun to be around. I am not alone. Maria..........damn.

I'm not in love

"I'm not in love, so don't forget itIt's just a silly phase I'm going throughAnd just because I call you upDon't get me wrong, don't think you've got it madeI'm not in love, no-no(It's because...)"
LOL. 10cc, anyone remember that one? Well that plays in the elevator and halls ALL the time, I mean all the time. When I took my walk and weaving around the sleeping dogs on the sidewalk,I kept humming it. LOl. Well I am in love, with me...........Michele knows better.
I'm taking an auto rickshaw to work this week. Costs about 50-70 Rupees. Look for some pictures of that experience. That is about a $1 to$1.50 for the ride. Can arrange that anytime 10 minutes before the journey to the Accenture building. The roads are very populated and it is an ocean of humanity.
To any Accenture employees online, "I 'm here, I'm queer, deal with it". Hopefully the ice cream bin at the Accenture building is well stocked, I think there might be another contest tomorrow just to see who is 'bull of the woods', LOL. Rene you know.. Buill.......I heard from David Hebert so his smiling face will be back at RTP on Monday. Mike is on his way to Belgium to stand alongside the "peeing boy"...LOL.
Sascha, hope all is well at Monheim tomorrow. Feel free to wear anything I left in the suitcase, I had a nice pink chiffon number you could wear while watching King Kong on your beamer. Give me the address of the UCB building and I will send some pastry money so the initial absence of me won't be so traumatic,,lol. I'm off to buy clothes, makeup and hopefully some malaria pills until my luggage arrives.

Beatlemania

Ok, finally in Mumbai. Got switched a few times on the flight but arrived at 1:45 am. My luggage is somewhere in the Mimbai airport and seems like the luggage is happy because it has not arrived as yet, I was told the Lufthansa "lost and found" is closed on Sunday so hopefully Monday. No big deal, I have one shirt and a pair of slacks, that could last for months....Am awaiting Bhavesh's call and maybe I will go buy a shirt and some sneakers. The weather is great, balmy 80 degrees at the moment, was around 70 when I got up at 9:30 from rooms ervice...I arrived at the hotel at 5:00 am. Took 3 hours to fill out lost luggage forms.....Does not warrant an explanation unless I can actually tell you in person. lol. Took a walk in my spiffy trousers, short sleeve shirt and cordovan wing-tips, got a blister on my foot. That is fine because it reminds me I am human and alive,...well alive anyway. Below is my room, Rm 2007 ( a good year) if you want to send a ribeye overnite to me...The bed has real pillows and a man's blanket. Those 4 hours of sleep were like heaven. Internet is free and with a cable. Skype was not so good when I talked to my son Brent and the singing/dancing duo machine, Bryce and Chase, fortunately they have Ashleys rhythm and not that Elaine thing I have.....also talked to Megan, my daughter, and that was somewhat clearer, may try buying a wireless card, Tata is big over here and see if that helps. Monday I go to the Accenture office, I assume Bhavesh will show me wheer I am located, my luggage has my walking and teenis shoes so will probably take a taxi or auto rickshaw( schpaaz) to the office. Had breakfast in the dining room, was nice and friendly. Mike, I ate a tomato and had coffee before asking if they used bottle water.......trouble could be on the way...
They have 3 restaurants, a gym full of crazy weight lifting Indians that look like they might be on parole..LOL...There is a pool here somewhere, but I don't think it is outside. Anyway, it looks to safe. Its not the Leela but this is perfect for me and a lengthy stay and gives me a better view of the culture. Y'all are just getting up or still sleeping but its 1:00pm here so I will sign off.

Joerg and Claudia

Below is my friend and former colleague, Joerg and his wife Claudia who entertained me this week. Joerg played an important part in my first trip to Mumbai and last year officially on December 31st, was Rama Rama Joerg Day in Mumbai. Joerg has two handsome twins, Sebastian and Michael. Michael, I loved that tie, but I was not happy that you did not want to replace me at work today, as I am very tired and could use a nap. Below is a small meal that Claudia had prepared. I had all I could do to fit thru the hotel door at the Achat when I was done...I wanted to sneak that Tiramasu in my brief case when I left but Sebastian and Michael would have nothing to do with that!! ..ORCHID: Joerg has given me sweets to bring to you and they are in my suitcase and ready for the trip. The German people are very friendly, even the ones that know me.......Thanks Joerg and Claudia for inviting me, I will send you the bill for a new wardobe as now my trousers are too tight!!!

Wencke

Below is Wencke, one of my colleagues (Sascha's) beautiful girls. It is very fortunate that both Rieke and Wencke received 99% of their gene's from Telse, Sascha's wife, who for some reason has stayed with him for more than a week. I had the pleasure of enjoying their company a night this week but forgot to get a picture until the next morning and Wencke had been so infatuated with me ( how could she not be? look at her father......). Anyway she had breakfast with me and I was impressed that she also likes the breakfast of champions that Brian Mabe, David Hebert and I enjoy often at RTP, Strawberry Nestles Quik,....Yummy,,LOL. Wencke is very interested in American Indians and we talked for a long time about TONKA TONK -- buffaloes. Reike is stuying dance and singing and is accomplished at shining my bald head with a napkin, along with cleaning my ears....LOL. I had the best time. Sascha is a very lucky man, as I guess all men are when women are involved. I enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Telse who is also an accomplished artist and is in contention for sainthood having put up with Sascha for so long.
Thanks Sascha for showing me some German culture and letting me part of your wonderful family for a short time. See Deanne, I did behave!!!!!

Monheim Tuesday Morning

Good Morning from snowy "Appletown" as my colleague Sascha calls it. This is a view from his penthouse office in the UCB building, Greta, his "assistant" has just left his office after putting out his slippers,massaging his feet and bringing him a cold Alt for his morning break. The colleagues over here have such luxuries that we at the RTP office only dream of. I would like to have Christy bring me my slippers and a cold beer but I am afraid asking this of her would only cause me a severe beating.
Bhargav!! Stay out of my cube!!! Phylly, keep an eye on him, in fact both eyes, he is shifty.
Guido threw me out of his office, claiming to have "important" things to do today, I think it was the snoring that was distracting him, and he was just being kind. Sascha introduced me to all the new programmers yesterday and today I find out that one is leaving. All I said was hello to her, honest!
I will try to get a photo (snap) of everyone before the end of the week but it will probably cost me another truck load of pastries. Bhavesh, when I see this snow, I recall when you, me, Satish and Mike were here in April and you wore ear muffs, you would need body muffs for this weather!!!! The food has been great here as usual as is the camaraderie. I am already looking forward to my return trip. I did not sleep last night, must be the adjustment. The seasoned travellers say the second day is the worst for getting sleep. So today it will appear as I am having a seizure and in need of VIMPAT.
All of ORCHID, hope to see you soon. RTP, it will be a little while. Moser, stay clear of my cube or i will send Mabe up for reconciliation, that is if he has not already done something. Tracy, please keep an eye on Tony and watch what he eats, he is going downhill fast and losing that GQ look of yesteryear....Rene....Mark..........miss talking to you both, keep that chair warm for me when I return in March as I will have many stories to peak your interest.....
Everyone, Have a great day!!!

There is nothing like returning to Monheim to be greeted by old 'friends'. The Godzilla egg, still to be hatched, welcomed me on my walk throughout Appletown, as Sascha calls it. It was also nice to see the girls again, nothing like a girl with a mustache......got cream? I assume they are drinking hot chocolate, which has another connotation in an alternative lifestyle. But I digress. The snow is melting and there is a threat of the sun coming out this week. I can't sleep so will just stay up. Patrick and I plan to do dinner at 6.
Only the restaurants are open and a pastry shop, same one I shopped at the last time I came over. The pastries here are excellent.
And its not hard to find some 'LEG' in town, as it is advertised in the area, see below. I did not see any 'TAIL' signs so it must me a myth that Europeans are openminded of such shenanigans. Its quiet. Will stay here until Friday evening then leave on a train from Cologne to Frankfort and fly out to Mumbai Saturday morning and arrive Saturday evening. Betty and Dan, pick a real team to support, those Dookies are losers.
later

Patrick Liu and I had our first 'meal' together at Chilis in Chicago. It would have been nice if we had a gift card to use......... , but it is most likely the last time I will eat there anyway. Just landed in Dusseldorf and at room in the luxury hotel Achat. Will try to get some sleep to rest up for an exciting time tonite with Patrick and the locals. Hey Mr. Croom, looks like the IPASS does not work over here for some reason. Although it shows up on the list and you can connect you need to have a signon and password from the Achat front desk. Will check that out later. The frauline at the front desk said only free internet is if you use it in the lobby. How can I access porn and feel comfortable in the lobby? I only brought one trench coat........