Home

I am finally home. Arrived at 2100 last night, but was too tired to do anything but find my own bed and my own pillow. Seeing and holding my wife was the best of all. Thanks for following me through India. I look forward to sharing pictures and stories with you all.

Travels Home

It is 1034 in Paris right now.  We arrived here from India about 0815 only to find that our flight from Paris to Minneapolis has been canceled.  So... We are now flying on Air France flight AF1740 from Paris to Amsterdam leaving at 1250 and arriving at 1405.  We then need to wait for our connecting flight from Amsterdam on Delta flight DL265  leaving at 1650 and arriving in Minneapolis at 1905 Thursday evening.  We will then be driving home from there.  So it looks like I won't be home until about 9 PM or so.   My am I going to be tired. I have only slept about 3-4 hours on the plane from India to Paris since 0800 Wednesday morning in India. Remember India is 10.5 hours ahead of MN. See you all soon

Time to Travel Home

It is 1830 India time on Wednesday. We are going to have a meeting at 1930, dinner at 2000, and travel to the airport at 2200. Most of us were up by 0800 this morning. Our first flight leaves Bangalore at 0150 Thursday morning. We lay-over in Paris for tow hours and then fly to Minneapolis. We arrive in Minneapolis about 1300 Thursday afternoon. That would be Friday morning at midnight India time. I think that means we are not going to have any good sleep for over 36 hours. Crazy travels. See you all back in the states.

MSR Memorial Hospital

I finally figured out how to put some pictures on the blog.

Wednesday Itinerary

It is now 0900 in India on Wednesday morning. Liz and I are planning to meet Dr. Srinath at MSR Memorial Hospital this morning at 1100. This meeting was arranged by a friend in St. Cloud who is from this area. Her cousin went to school to be a radiologist and this was his mentor. We would never have been able to have this meeting without this contact as that is typical for India. We will meet with Dr. Srinath for about 1.5 hours and then our afternoon will be free. We have dinner tonight at the hotel at 2000. We then leave our hotel by bus at 2200 for the airport. Our flight leaves at 0150 on Air France to Paris. We arrive in Paris about 0830 their time Thursday morning. We leave at 1050 from Paris and arrive in Minneapolis at 1300 Thursday afternoon. We are gaining back the 10.5 hours of time we lost flying to India. It will be a long 48 hours only sleeping on airplanes. Have a great day everyone.

Tuesday In India

It is 1655 in India. My dream came true, we visited a hospital in Bangalore India. Vydehi Hospital is a super specialty center that has a university attached to it. The beds are 4 legged cots that are arranged in a 6 bed square for one nurse and some assistants. The ER had 22 beds put into about 6 rooms. We saw the 2 cath labs, ICU, Oncology, a linear excellerator, blood bank, Orthopedic ward and one single patient room. I don't think there were many of those. I don't believe India has ever heard of HIPAA. One of the CT scanners was only a 16 slice machine. It was amazing to see. The administrator was absolutely fantastic. They even provided lunch for us. After that we went to an Indian Design Shop called Idiom. They do fantastic work there also. They ave youtube videos on DREAM:IN which is a large project the put together. I have not looked for them yet, but I sure will. Tonight we are going to go walking around into some different areas Should be fun. TTYL

Monday in India and Tuesday Itinerary

It is Tuesday morning at 0710. Today we are going to the Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre for meeting (10.00-12.00) with Mrs. Kalpaya DA Director as arranged by faculty director, private motorcoach included for up to 4 hours and 70 kms within the city limits.  Group lunch at Hotel.  Afternoon free for independent exploration. during this time we are going to MSR Hospital to meet with a radiologist who I believe is managing director of the facility. should be very interesting. On Monday we visited Target Corporation India. Target employs about 2000 people here in Bangalore, some of which come from the US but most are Indian. They are outsourced to take care of target.com website and track distribution lines for product. It is quite interesting the security staff that are around the whole building and business park. None of them have weapons, they are there to keep people from setting up roadside stands and assure only employees are allowed inside. Interestingly, none of the Indian workers are allowed to purchase products from Target.com as they don't ship internationally. None of the Indian workers have even seen a target store. All is well in India and we are doing well. We have today and tomorrow here and then begin our long journey home early Thursday morning. We will not be having a hotel room Wednesday night but going directly to the airport. Have a great sleep all.  

Monday Itinerary

It is 0630 on Monday morning. Today itinerary is:  Morning (08.30) transfer to Target Corporation India for meeting (10.00) as arranged by faculty director.  Group lunch at a local restaurant.  Private motorcoach included for up to 7 hours and 70 kms within the city limits. We will be visiting a silk shop during this time. There they will show us how silk and garments are made. This will sure be a new adventure. Bangalore is much more modernized than Delhi. There are more comercial shops around our hotel vs. teh individual roadside shops set up by families for survival.    

Sunday in India

It is 1825 currently in Bangalore India and the temperature is 94 degrees. We made it to bangalore without any problems. Our flight was full, but all went well. I continue to have sinus issues partly due to the cold I had last weekend, and partly due to the heat and dust of India. My right ear is plugged yet. We checked into our new hotel call the Monarch Luxor. This one is very nice also though it is much bigger than The Clover in Delhi. Some members of the group went golfing and some went shopping at a market. I stayed back at the hotel as my right ear hurt also. I laid down to see if it would clear and it drained a little. Due to the drainage, I am wondering if there is a perforation. Oh well, we will have to deal with it. I have noticed that Bangalore is much more modernized, though there are just as many people walking around and cars to dodge. The billboards they have here are huge. There are fewer roadside sellers around Bangalore but more modernized shopping malls. We are going out to dinner tonight at a local restaurant recommended by our guide. Will update more later.

Sunday Itinerary

It is 0645 Sunday Morning in India  This is our plan for today. Morning (07.15) transfer by private motorcoach to Delhi International Airport, Terminal 1D for departure (09.30) on IndiGo Airlines flight 6E #121 to Bangalore; non-stop Airbus 320 service.  Arrive (12.10) Bengaluru International Airport, meet your new tour manager, and transfer by private motorcoach to the MONARCH LUXOR, with an orientation tour and group lunch en route.  Afternoon free for independent exploration (suggestions will be given by your local tour manager). Yesterday at the Taj Mahal and Agra fort were fantastice. Following that we had a 6 hour bus ride back to Delhi. Driving through the rural areas is as interesting as being in the big city of Delhi. People are moving everywhere.

Friday and Saturday in India

It is now 0900 on Saturday morning. Well we spent much of Friday on the bus traveling between Delhi and Agra. It is about 6 hours drive on good roads. On the way we experineced some of the police corruption we learned about. As we came through one town the officer pulled the gate in front of our bus. He waved us off on another direction. Our bus driver, drivers assistant and tour guide spent about 15 minutes arguing and bantering with the officer. He wanted 2000 rupees to let us through on that road. (about $40). Eventually we were able to get through for 200 Rupees ($4). It was interesting to watch. We stopped at two true Indian businesses on the way also. One was a metal forgery where they make parts for automobiles. The other was a bathroom fixture company. Lets just say they both run without much oversite for safety, but the employees seemed content. In the foundry, they heat up steel, put it in a press, stamp the form, send it to a machine that takes off the excess metal, then throw it in a barrel to cool. Once cool, the parts are grinded to desired shapes and put in a pile for shipping. At the bathroom fixture company, they get casted faucets delivered then they tap and die the ends for fittings, add the fittings, test for leaking, polish them, and the package them for sale. None of this makes much sense truely until pictures can be seen. Truley amazing stuff. We then stopped and had lunch at about 1300. The staff at this place treated us like kings, served all kinds of vegitarian foods, and waited on us hand and foot. Lunch took over 2 hours, but the time sure flew by. The food here is amazing. I think I could eat it on a regular basis without any difficulty. Much of it is vegitarian too. This morning we got up at 0500 so we could be at the Taj Mahal for sunrise. The Taj is truely one of the swonders of the world. It is just amazing to see. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be on this trip and experience this. I wish Jennifer were with me though. That would make it the best. We are shortly going to head to the Agra Fort and then back to Delhi to check back into our hotel.

Friday Itinerary

GURGAON/AGRA.  Depart (07.00) hotel with overnight bag to Agra, with en route visit in Mathura (appx. 3 hours from Delhi) to M/S Ravi Forgings Pvt. Ltd., a manufacturer of auto parts.  Group lunch in Mathura at a local restaurant.  Continue to Agra for check-in and group dinner at the JAYPEE PALACE.  

Thursday in India

Today was an experience that truely taught the difference between American and Indian culture. We started the daywith breakfast and preparing to leave the hotel at 0900. That went exactly as planned, but the rest of the day did not go as planned at all. As we left teh hotel for our first stop of the Lotus Tmple we discussed the days events. It was planned to stop so people could purchase punjabi's if they would like. Someone mentioned to try an outdoor market vs. the indoor mall that was planned. Following good indian culture, our guide decided that we would be able to accomplish everything in our time and still get to our meeting with UnitedHealth Group by 1500. Our plan definately did not come together well. We visited the Lotus Temple today. That is a temple which was constructed by the Baha'i religion. The one in Dehli is the latest of seven in the world. The idea is to create these temples around the world with the idea that any and all religions can worship in the temple at anytime. All religions are welcome and it is believed that these temples will bring teh world together to worship the one creator God. This builiding is archetecturally magnificant and protected in India. There are guards with metal detection as you enter. There is security around the whole facility. Upon entering the temple, shoes must be removed. There is no speaking or photograhy within the temple. The accustics are unbelievable. The birds within could be heard singing louder that if they were right next to you. Well, we spent a lot of time there. partialy due to not setting a time limit. Also due to keeping a group of 12 people from all generations on one schedule. Some were back at the bus pretty early, some were taking there time, and others decided to take a quick trip back to the information center. Because of this, we began to run late in our schedule. It also took more time than planned to get there through the traffic. It was decided we would still go to both the open market and the enclosed mall before making our meeting at 1500. Both locations took longer than planned so we realized we would be late to the 1500 meeting at UnitedHealth Group. We discussed skipping the stop at the hotel to change into business dress, but our Indian guide stated it would be better to be late and look well dressed than to be on time and not dressed correctly. Hence we stopped at the hotel. On the way to the meeting, our driver got lost looking for the address we had given him. We had only confirmed the meeting last night so gave the driver the address this morning. We were 45 minutes late to our 1500 meeting.

Thursday Itinerary

It is now 0700 in India. We are gathering today as a group at 0900 to do a photo saffari through Dehli and Gourgon. Out travel guide Sushil is very nice and quite funny. We will then be going to the Delhi office of United Healthcare for a short visit. Following that, we are on our own tonight to find dinner and experience getting around Gourgon. I wonder what we will find for dinner. Have a great day everyone.

Wednesday In Dehli

It is 2026 in India at this time. We just finished dinner and will likely be in bed sleeping soon. Today was a pretty exciting day. I didn't sleep too much last night so I was awake pretty early. After breakfast three of us went walking around the area of our hotel. Boy are the streets narrow and you have to watch out for cars, bikes, motorcycle, dogs, and pigs. And that is just in our neighborhood. We met as a group for lunch. I wish I could tell you what I was eating, but most of the time I am not sure. One was chicken stroganof, but it didn't lok anything like the beef counterpart I have eaten before. All I can say is there is only one thinkg I wasn't too fond of but taht is about it. The driving around here is just like you see on YouTube. We stopped at the U.S. Consular Offices after about 1.5 hours in the bus. We spent an hour talking with him about how the U.S. Embasy assists in matching U.S. companies with India companies to work together in business. After our little bit of business, we did some tourist stuff. We visited Old Dehli first. What an experience that is. I can't hardly begin to describe the noises, people, smells, and overall sensory load that was experienced. The streets are very narrow and crowded. We then visited the India Gate. This is a large monument to the Indian soldiers who fought for their freedom. It was a very good day today. The Jet lag is setting in tonight though. I have not yet figured out how to post pictures to this blog using my iPad. It worked fine from the computer. I may need to borrow a laptop from someone else. Hope all is well with everyone in the states.

Wednesday Itinerary

It is now 0700 in India. I slept pretty well for a few hours. I woke up this morning to car horns and noises outside so naturally I am curious. Hence I can't fall asleep again at this point. The Clover Hotel appears to be a very nice small hotel. The beds are comfortable and the air conditioning works well. Here is our itinerary for today. It will be a dress up day for sure. New Delhi today should be 97 and sunny. They say it is a dry heat though. GURGAON. Morning free for independent exploration.  Group lunch (11.30) at hotel.  Early afternoon (12.30) departure by private motorcoach with English-speaking guide for afternoon meeting (14.00-16.00) with Foreign Commercial office (must bring passports will be needed for security check upon arrival) for presentation and question/ answer session with Greg O’Connor.  Panoramic visit of Old Delhi including Jama Massjid, Red Fort, Rajghat and drive through busy streets of old Delhi with stop at India Gate for ice cream (own expense) before returning back to hotel for group dinner.

Arrived in India

It is now 0100 on Wednesday morning in India. We have finally settled into our rooms. We are looking forward to some highly anticipated several hours of rest. What a grueling trip that is. I will try to put some pictures on the blog tomorrow morning during our "free" time. All went well with no major issues.

In Amsterdam

We made it to Amsterdam by 0630 Holland time. It is now 0812 and we are waiting for our flight to India which leaves at about 1130 Holland time. It is cloudy and cool here today. There is shopping everywhere in this airport. Not enough to keep me busy for four hours though. So we met Sanjiv Chopra who is from Delhi. He does accupuncture and sells furniture. He is traveling home after visiting friends in teh U.S. We are only about 1/2 way there. The next leg will be another 6-7 hour flight.

Monday and Tuesday Itinerary

Monday and Tuesday Travels:

Well I am feeling better today, but definately not 100%.  Went to brunch with my extended family and enjoyed that time.  Packing in nearly complete (I am taking many naps the last two day).  The excitement is growing as I can't hardly wait to embark on this journey in life.

Leave St. Cloud about 0730 or 0800 adn drive to Duluth
Assemble (10:00 a.m.) at the Delta Air Lines ticket counter at Duluth International Airport to check in for departure (12:36 p.m.) on Delta Air Lines flight DL #4698 for Minneapolis; non-stop regional jet service (check baggage through to Delhi). Upon arrival (1:35 p.m.) at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Lindbergh Terminal, proceed to connecting gate for departure (3:05 p.m.) on Delta Air Lines flight DL #258 for Amsterdam; non-stop Airbus 330 service with dinner served en route.

Arrive (06.25) Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and proceed to connecting gate for departure (11.30) on KLM Airlines flight KL #871 for Delhi;  non-stop McDonnell Douglas MD-11 service with lunch served en route. Upon arrival (22.50) at Delhi International Airport, Terminal 3, meet your tour manager and transfer by private motorcoach to Gurgaon. Check in at THE CLOVER HOTEL.

We should be plenty tired by now and ready to sleep.  Will be waiting for the jet lag to set in.

Preparing for Travels

Well, I have to ask myself why i had to start with flu and cold symptoms yesterday.  Today is coughing, HA, Body Aches, and low grade fever.  I think it will all be over by tomorrow.  I sure don't want to spend 28 hours in airports and flying on Monday not feeling well. Today and tomorrow are about planning, packing and spending some time with family/friends.  Tomorrow I will post the flight information.  We leave St. Cloud at about 0830 Monday and arrive in New Dehli at 2250 Tuesday evening.  They are 10.5 hours ahead of us.

Just Thinking

Since it is 100 degrees each day, I am wondering if they have air conditioning in India. What am I going to pack to wear as shorts are definately not business casual wear. Check out the forecast. http://weather.yahoo.com/india/delhi/new-delhi-2295019

Introduction

Well, two weeks from now, I will be in India completing my MBA program through the College of St. Scholastica. I choose to do a Capstone Abroad program vs. writing a capstone paper. We are using India as a case study to tie together all the other MBA classes. Marketing, organizational behavior, cultural communications, finance, IT, are all being looked at within India. The best part will be the onsite visit to India and the businesses within the country. So now it is time to complete the planning for travels to India. We leave April 16th from Duluth and return April 26th. I will put daily agendas up as we go.