Washington, DC 2009

I am training in Silver Spring, MD and used my Saturday off to bop around Washington, DC. I have been here once before with Ericka (for a Verizon Excellence Award Banquet) and saw most of the monuments so this trip was more focused on the museums.



I parked in Silver Spring, MD and took the Metro to DC. I started on the Red Line, changed trains in Metro Center to get on the Orange Line to the Smithsonian station.





When I left the Smithsonian Natural History Museum I ran into 5 guys from my class and hung with them to see the White House.



They were on their way to see the Lincoln Memorial so I split from them to see explore the American Craft Museum.


One gallery was of all knitting, which included a knit Batman costume. I was not allowed to take pictures, but here is a link to his work:

http://www.cranbrookart.edu/Pages/FiberDept.html

Here are two pictures I did take.



On my way to another Museum I saw these in front of an "Americas" administration building.



The next art museum I went into was closed. Only one art museum was open past 5:00 PM, the Smithsonian American Art Museum.




This museum was worth the whole day. One of the Portrait galleries was of Morrissey concerts. Unfortunately I was unable to take pictures of that gallery.

: (

Here are some of the pictures I did take.



The original design of the building was an open air courtyard. This courtyard is now covered and it was beautiful.


And I thought Fauxhawks were new....



Some of the first Bibles printed in the Americas.


A "temple" based on the Book of Revelation (they think) make out of wood and silver/gold aluminum foil. Gaudy and beautiful at the same time. Thought I may have stepped into a TBN studio...



Beautiful angels.

Eve being tempted.


The view from an open air balcony.



I apparently have a thing for angels in art...


This is all word and was crated with wood burning.

Now, if the Shop Class teacher (who was always also the coach) showed us that we could do THIS with wood burning maybe we would have liked "wood burning" a bit more. This was amazing and makes me want to get a wood burning kit!


Apparently Liberace slept here.

The mall was MUCH less crowded at night, and, to be honest, the view was a bit prettier. Here are a few pics of the mall at sunset.

They taste bad, but are full of protein.

My basic work schedule looks like this:

• Wednesday and Thursday: Train-the-Trainer for Dial (6 PM-4AM)
• Friday and Saturday: New Hire "Consulting" for half of all Trainers (4PM-1AM)
• Sunday - Off
• Monday and Tuesday: New Hire "Consulting" for other half of all trainers (TBD, but probably an early shift)

So today is Sunday.

I slept in late and got up in time for a very late lunch or a geriatric dinner. I didn't plan to leave the hotel so I ate at La Cantina again.

Yum, buffalo fajitas!

Since I got my luggage back I did a little ordination reading; Spiritual Leadership by Oswald Sanders.

All I can say is that this book is amazing. On one hand it is an easy read in that the chapters are short and easily digestible (I have a revised edition with updated language and explanatory references about people Oswald wrote about that most of us have never heard of).

On the other hand it is a very difficult read because it can be very convicting. This may sound odd, but it is a good convicting - in that it is encouraging towards growth - and not simply a judgmental "you failed!" conflicting.

His goal is the reader's growth in maturity and in Christ, and it shows. He is blunt and very direct, but also very loving.

Anyway, I had a long lunch reading and then headed upstairs to chat with Ericka before she left for Church.

As I told her, she "completes me" (I know it is cliche but it is true) and I feel incomplete without her and the kids around. Anyway, I got to spend a little time with her before going for a bike ride.

The day was ending with a beautiful sunset. The sky was gold, orange, blue, and beautiful.

The temperature was cool and there was a nice breeze.

The breeze brought with it the the Muslim's very beautiful call to prayer.

It also brought with it bugs! Seriously, I felt like Indiana Jones in the Temple of Doom!

Mostly mosquitoes but also these long thin fly looking creature that looked like the love child of a cockroach and a queen ant with wings.

So, here is what I need to know; can you get malaria from swallow a mosquito? or do you actually need to be stung by one?

When the old is new again...

The first day I tried to call American Airlines (AA) about my luggage I could not get through. I found out later that the office closed at 6 PM.

Lucky me.

The second day I called I got a message saying the agent I was calling was not answering and that I needed to call back later. AA then hung up on me.

Nice.

The third day I called I found out that my luggage had been found (YAY!) and was now waiting for me at the Hyderabad airport.

AA said they would send it directly to my hotel, but at least I know it is safe. Right?

Anyway, I called the hotel from work and they said they could contact the airport to make arrangements to get it. The hotel confirmed that my luggage was there but needed a copy of my lost luggage report to go pick it up.

Two of my students offered to take me, right then, even though we were supposed to be in class. I took them up on the offer and they drove me to the hotel.

They made a copy of the official lost luggage report but also needed a copy of my passport and visa.

Sigh.

They did not tell me this earlier and I did not have it on me.

My two students took me back to the office to get it.

On the way they decided to treat me to lunch and really wanted to introduce me to Subway!

Funny.

Anyway, the hotel finally had a copy of my lost luggage report, passport, and visa. I than had to sign some official form giving the hotel permission to pick up my luggage.

I _____________ hereby grant Novotel employee ______________ permission to....

I guess this is such a common event that they have an official form for it.

Interesting.

Long story short, I have my luggage!

Thank God!

Just Like Pretty Woman

So, American Airlines "lost" my luggage. This means I have been wearing the same clothes since Sunday. Now, before you get too repulsed, I have been cleaning my undies and socks in the sink.

This past Friday (that means 6 in the same clothes) I went shopping. There is new mall called City Center (not at the center of the city by the way) that is all the rage.

I don't really like shopping, but it was kind of fun. If nothing else it was an experience.

Undies? Check. Easy to find and easy to buy.

Pants? Check. Easy to buy as the sizes are the same and I know what size I wear.

Shirts? Not so much. I know its a bit of a stereotype, but it would appear that Indians are not very big people. Finding a shirt that fit was difficult. The largest shirt size EVERY clothing store sold was a 44. I apparently wear a 46. I did manage to find two shirts that fit, one black formal and one white casual.

It was fun and adventurous and got me out of the hotel and office.

While I usually try to eat regional food (how often can I get real Indian food in India?) I did eat McDonald's for lunch. It was at the mall - of course - and I was running late.

Since they do not serve beef I ad a Chicken Maharajah Mac. Very interesting if I do say so myself.

So I now have fresh and clean clothes!

Indian Food and and why I love India

Although this is about food, it is really about India and what I love about her people.

My people.

One of the things I like to do when I travel is experience the country through the food and the music.

This has introduced me to some pretty amazing food:

• While it is safe to say I hate coconut, I do love coconut milk, picked fresh from a tree, on a blistering hot day coupled with fresh cut mangoes in Cuba.
• "Flesh in its own blood" and Tequila shots for lunch in Mexico.
• Shark Fin dumplings and fish head soup in the Philippines.
• Grilled goat in Africa.
• And now grilled Buffalo fajitas in India.

The best food, however, is what the Indian media has named Umbrella Cuisine. I call it "roadside" food, but the umbrella statement works too.

In India that means I try to find "roadside noodles." Which is simply one of the best tasting things I have ever eaten. My Indian colleagues don't like that I eat them, but it it worth the price!

Anyway, it looks like roadside noodles are for New Delhi and Chicken Biryani is for Hyderabad. I am sure I am doing it justice, but Biryani (which is just a rice dish) is special because it is "baked" in an airtight clay pot with veggies and, if it is Chicken Biryani then chicken also. The result is a very dense - yet moist and fluffy - rice dish. It is apparently hard to make - or hard to make correctly - and is considered a delicacy here in Hyderabad.

I like Chicken Biryani but it is hard to find "real" or "great" Chicken Biryani.

So, this is where this is really about that (to steal a line from Rob Bell). Since I am working so much a few guys from my class tell me they will go to their favorite little Biryani dive to get me some real Chicken Biryani. The company provides food for the office has it, but it is not "real" Biryani they say.

They come back a bit later with what was probably the best Chicken Biryani I have ever had.

So while this is a story about another food adventure in India, it is also a story about the generosity of the Indians I work with.

They went out of their way to get me what I wanted, and I never asked them to or even hinted at it. They even paid and would not let me pay them back.

They said it was their honor and "privilege" to treat me as their guest in their country.

Such generosity, especially in light of such need.

It is very humbling and is one reason I love this country so much.

The people are simply amazing.

I said this last time, but will say it again. The American Church has lot to learn from India.

I have a lot to learn from India.

Ezekiel 16:49

Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom; she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor or needy.

This one’s for Job

This one’s for Job.

So, I am taking a break and talking with two of my four students, and this “hip” looking Indian chick comes up to us.

She has what looks like a backpack on, except that she is wearing it on her chest and not on her back.

The “backpack” is in the shape of a very large Red Bull can.

Guess what, she was giving away free Red Bull drinks.

Apparently they are new here and she is part of the street team giving them away to help promote the brand.

I explain that am familiar with Red Bull and do not like them as I think they taste too sweet.

She tries to give me one anyway.

I decline and joke that my son LOVES Red Bull so maybe it’s a generational thing. (Is making old jokes about yourself a sign of getting old?)

I again explain it’s too sweet but my trainee wants to try one anyway.

So, what did the young hip Indian dude think of Red Bull?

He said it tasted like medicine!

Would you like a little Mexican in you?

So, it is now Wednesday afternoon and I am about to head to the office.

Still no luggage but:

1. I finally got some real sleep (16 hours or so off and on)
2. I have bathed twice (just to relax and help my headache go away) and showered once (to actually bathe, but the "jet" feature was very relaxing).
3. I also finally ate.
   

My last meal was breakfast Tuesday morning on the plane. So, while it was technically food, it was plane food. I did have a midnight snack of Pepsi and a Mars bar (thanks to the hotel mini bar) but I don't think it counts as a real meal.

Anyway, 30 hours after breakfast I finally got some real food. MEXICAN FOOD!


On my first trip to India we ate at Senor Pepes Mexican Tex-Mex Cuisine.

I mean come on, I am a born and bread Texan (American by birth, Texan by the grace of God!). How could I miss a chance to eat at a "Tex-Mex" dive in Hyderabad, India?

It was good, not great, but fun (they were closed and opened up just for us three Americans!)

So an Indian magazine I am reading has this spread on a new Mexican restaurant that recently opened up and guess what? It happens to be right next to the hotel. So, what is now a tradition for visiting Hyderabad, I had lunch at La Cantina!

I went pretty healthy with a Mexican salad (lettuce, red/green peppers, jalapenos, tomatoes and onions) with their very own house cilantro vinaigrette. It was actually pretty good.

I followed that up with the grilled buffalo fajitas with peppers and onions. It was actually VERY good. I would get it again without hesitation. Very flavorful, tender and not at all gamey. They didn't come with guacamole so I ordered some. While the buffalo fajitas were amazing, the guacamole was a bit disappointing.

For dessert I had churros. They were good, not great. It came with hot chocolate, which I did not have. Instead I ordered coffee. Indians make really good - and strong - coffee; its not Starbucks, but that may be a good thing.

I am now headed to the center, located in Hi-Tech City in a building names the Cyber Pearl. How cool is that? I feel like I may run into Rick Deckard!

Oh, and still no luggage.

Until next time.

Getting there is half the fun...

My India trip so far:

1. My 3:10 PM flight is cancelled due to “mechanical” issues. NICE!
2. My new 4:00 PM is delayed (twice) and moves gates (once).
3. I arrive at the Chicago airport at 7:05 PM for a 7:15 PM flight.
4. The departing gate has changed. It was 2 gates down from the arriving gate, but got moved to a different terminal!
5. I am the last passenger on the plane! (But hey, I did make it!)
6. I have an isle seat (YES!) but my window seat neighbor apparently does not like India or Indians and spoke louder as he consumed more wine. Sigh.
7. The flight to Delhi was supposed to land at 8:30 PM (India time) giving me a 8.5 hour lay over (I declined to get an off site hotel – and there are none on site – since I end up only getting 4 or so hours of “sleep” before having to return to the airport.)
8. The flight to Delhi is 1.5hours EARLY giving me a 10 hour lay over. FUN!
9. My luggage is missing. AA can not find it and swear that it should have been on the flight. (I am 1 of at least 2 Dallas passengers missing luggage.) So, I am wearing the only set of clothes that I currently have here in India. : )
10. My plan was to spend my lay over time in the “executive” lounge where I would get free cocktails, snacks and Internet service. But:

· The Military Police at the airport, as well as the Jet Airways employees, are telling me that it is illegal to enter the building this early (I am in a “galley” type area). Apparently I can not enter until 2 hours before my flight.

· There are no lavatories here in the galley area.

· And it’s raining. (See note above.)

The good news is I have only one shoulder bag to watch since AA lost my luggage!

(11:00 PM)

Quick update (can’t use the laptop much since my power converter is in my luggage): I found a lavatory! SCORE! That bad news is that it is a public toilet across the street from the airport, and, you have to pay to use it (1 rupee). I did convert my US dollars to Rupees at the airport so at least I could pay! FYI – crossing the street was much easier with only my computer bag : )

Until next time.

(1:15 AM)

Another quick update; and another mixed blessing.

The airport does offer public “drinking water,” but I am not sure how “good” it really is. Instead of water fountains they have public water coolers. So, it is nice to be able to get a drink and re-hydrate. The concern is that none of the big water cooler bottles look new. They are all old, scratched up, and muddy….

(4:00 AM)

The good news; I am inside the airport, which means “free” toilets!

The no so good news; my flight has been delayed, twice. My flight was originally scheduled for 5:20 AM but was rescheduled for 5:30 AM. Hardly seems worth it! When have you ever known a flight to take off when scheduled? Anyway, I digress. I finally got my boarding pass and it has a new launch time of 5:50 AM.

Hopefully my next update will be from the hotel in Hyderabad.

Boy's Night Out

Take me out to the ball game.

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What Would Sandra Do?

What Would Sandra Do?

(WWSD)

This trip to India has been “harder” than the first, even though this one is only 10 days and the first was 5 weeks. I find myself missing my family more on this trip because I am flying solo. It’s just me on this trip and no other Verizon employees. Meaning, on this trip I do not have anyone – specifically Greg – to keep me company and am finding myself alone alot.

At times it has been nice, especially upon arrival when I wanted to rest and didn’t have to worry about anyone else wanting my time.

As time has gone on, however, it’s just lonely.

I taught a class Thursday and Friday and ended up sleeping or resting all of Saturday. I woke up Sunday feeling sorry for myself (not a typical Simon feeling) and almost spent the day moping around my pity party for one.

Then it hit me; what would Sandra do? Sandra, on her blog, tells the coolest stories. To be honest, her stories put my stories to shame. Anyway, as I wondered what Sandra would do I quickly came to conclusion that she would not mope around all day feeling sorry for herself. Aditya (Adi), the QA Manager here in Delhi, had offered to spend the weekend showing me around. I told him not Saturday (needed the sleep) but maybe Sunday.

So I called him.

And I am glad I did.

(Note; our camera broke and will not turn on so I can not share pictures. I have tried to provide links to images to the things we saw.)

The first stop was India Gate. India Gate is located near “Ministry row” and is a HUGE arch built to honor Indians who have died in war. It is amazingly HUGE and amazing beautiful.

http://www.info2india.com/rajasthan/india-gate-delhi.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India_Gate

India Gate is located in a “parkish” sort of area and there were multiple Cricket games going on. On my first trip to India I desperately tried to understand Cricket, but could not. Here was my chance and I took it.

While we watched Adi again explained. This time, while actually being able to watch it while hearing an explanation, I got it! I may not understand every rule or nuance of the sport, but I certainly understand enough to now watch it with understanding.

After India Gate and the cricket match we went to the Red Fort.

http://www.indiaforvisitors.com/states/delhi/redfort.htm

After the Red Fort we went to the National Gallery of Modern Art (http://www.ngmaindia.gov.in/).

The good news is that not all of the art is modern. This is good news because I do not typically enjoy modern art. I joke that I want my art to be pretty and my poetry to rhyme. I just don’t find most modern art pretty.

Most of the pieces were traditional and very interesting, at least to me. Adi was bored after the first room. We both agreed that we liked the traditional pieces better then the modern pieces. Regardless, it was amazing and a wonderful spur-of-the-moment thing to.

After the museum we had lunch at a local joint. The food was perfect. I let Adi order anything he wanted – with the exception of the prawns I wanted, he would not order them since he is a vegetarian – and he ordered up a FEAST! Not only was it my lunch, but it was also my dinner. We had nan (buttered and masala, I liked the masala nan the most), biryani, garden salad (which has no “salad,” i.e. lettuce), paneer, chutney, and a few other sides.

As it was only the 3^rd proper meal I’ve had here (I had the road side noodles my first night at the office and a Punjabi meal Friday night), it hit the spot.

I love Indian food.

Who knew?

After lunch/dinner we went to look at a famous Muslim tower. It was nice, but not in the same was as India Gate or the Red Fort.

Next was home and to cool off. The temperature here in Delhi has been 100 and very hot.

It was a good weekend.

Definitely a weekend Sandra would have enjoyed!

Test for Angie

This is a test post for Angie, to show her how easy this is!