Wednesday, October 14

I am home in Gurgaon today and have already had breakfast, worked out in the gym and am contemplating whether to try an outing to the camera store or not. Yesterday when I went to the Plaza Mall, where the Canon store is, I was told that the mall didn't open till 4:30 p.m. I was amazed at that but you have to remember that it's Diwali (pronounced Divalli) season here, which is the Hindu equivalent of Christmas, with lots of parties and lights and celebrations. I have been told that the actual day this year is Oct. 17th, so things should settle down a little bit after that. I will take some pictures of the lights just from my apartment balcony, it does look a lot like Christmas and the company driver that picked me up yesterday brought what I guess is the corporate Diwali gift for the year of a new set of sheets for my King Size bed and a very nice blanket to help make it through the cold weather months just ahead. I have to admit that I am loving the weather here this time of year, the nights are cooling off a little and the days are very nice until mid-afternoon, when it still gets quite warm. I can wait outside for my company driver or taxi without melting down into my shoes like last July.
Yesterday we flew up to Hisar again, where my boss's mother lives and where she just ran for re-election to political office. I don't know what the outcome is yet, but she should do just fine, I believe. She is a very humble and kind lady. I thought you guys would get a kick out of the little ambulance that waits at the airport each time we come and go. If we actually did need an ambulance at the airport I am not sure I would want a ride in this thing. I think they would have to fold you in half just to get you to the hospital and the ride on India road would surely do more damage than the accident itself, but this vehicle and the fire truck come rolling out every time we come in. There are always lots of people at the airport and it makes for an entertaining day to go in there. There is the tea/coffee guy bringing drinks to the pilots, the local flight instructor who comes out to talk with us and the bright eyed flight students who are overawed by this private jet flying into their airport.
Got a call, gotta go do a taxi test after maintenance. Talk to you again soon. Delhi Dan