Living on the Edge

Today is my 6th day here. I have not completely gotten over the time change. I am usually ok when I am in my hotel room once I leave it is like I am drugged. I worked until 8pm yesterday because today was a holiday. We took an extended lunch with the reporting team who is all "freshers" as they call them. New hires. It was nice to be around people that are so enthusiastic about their jobs. To be young again..sigh. I did something that I admit to you now. I had chai tea with my coworker from a street vendor. OH NO. I drank the water. Hell, it was boiled. I love chai. It was sweet and it woke me up. I never pictured in my life I would be sitting on a stoop with my $300 laptop bag in business attire behind some street vendor drinking next to a pile of garbage. It is the only booth that is right outside the gate. My coworker goes there to smoke and eat these nuts that give you energy. (I will get the names later). Needless to say I survived.

Today, I slept in and then spent useless time trying to book a plane ticket online to Bangalore. I kept getting an error message about my credit card. I then spent useless time trying to book it over the phone. The call kept disconnecting. I love this place. I finally surrendered and had the hotel travel desk do it (with additional fees of course). In the meantime, the cell/SIM card I was so happy about stopped working. The hotel staff also helped me find out the problem-the phone. That is what I get for getting a used phone. I went and bought a new phone for $40 USD. NO Contract, no paperwork, no NOTHING. The hotel sent someone with me so the guy wouldn't "rip me off". I then took a cab around the city. That is the only way to get around. If you saw how people drove here you would fully understand why I wasn't walking. I went to this area called Koregaon Park (rich people), shopping areas, Aga Khan Palace (Ghandi), Shaniwar wada (palace of indigenuous people Peshwas), and Parvati Hill. Ok, I am not complaining, but it is cheaper for Indian residents to go to these places. Granted it is only $2 USD, but the US needs to get on board with that plan, US citizen discounts! I was really the only tourist that was not Indian. People stare alot, especially the woman. I felt weird about having my camera, but I did it anyway. Parvati Hill provided a nice view of the whole city which is the attached picture. One exception-I had some slippery sandals. The walk up was OK. But on the way down, I actually TOOK my shoes off for fear of falling and splitting my head open in front of strangers. I wear shoes in the HOUSE so that was BIG for me. On the way back..I stopped for Pizza Hut. It was SO nice to recognize food! I am heading for Bangalore in the morning..