India

Taj Mahal

July 3rd, 2015

I flew to Delhi the night before and arrived about midnight, got a few hours sleep before meeting our driver at 6:00 AM who took us to the Taj Mahal.  The ride between New Delhi was three and a half hours each way.  This meant it was a long day before me and my coworkers hopped on a red-eye to Singapore.

I would love to say great things about the Taj Mahal, I would love to say that I saw the Taj Mahal and it was worth the drive but I cannot.  Technically, I saw the Taj Mahal – well I saw the back of the Taj Mahal from across the river.  I didn’t see the front of it nor did I get a chance to go into it.

You see, when we planned this trip, one of my coworkers asked if there was anything I wanted to see in India.  Of course the Taj was the first thing came out of my mouth.   We made our plans and booked travel only to learn a few days prior to going to the Taj Mahal that the Taj Mahal isn’t open on Fridays.  Kind of a bummer to say the least and although I am glad I got to see the back of the Taj Mahal from a distance, I would have loved it a lot more if I had seen it from the front and was able to go inside!

Continue reading →

July 2nd, 2015

The Golaconda Fort was the capital of the Golaconda kingdom from the 14th-16th Centuries.  Wondering around the fort, I could only wonder what this looked like back in its day.  Overall, it is massive with structures from the bottom of the hill all the way up to the top.  How they built it is beyond me as well.  After visiting the fort, I did some reading up on it and found out that it was considered impenetrable. Eventually it was penetrated but only after a guard at the gate was compromised.

One of things that I found interesting was that in some places there were acoustic effects.  Close to the entry, there is an area where things echo back to you.  In one room, if you talked into a corner, you could hear it perfectly in the opposite corner.  Another thing I enjoyed seeing were the bats.  There were a few dark rooms and all you could hear were bast.  You could see some of them flying between the rooms. In the pictures, all you see are the red eyes. Continue reading →

Me, James, Bill

July 2nd, 2015

This afternoon we went to the Qutb Shahi Tombs. Seven of the 8 Qutb Shahi Rulers, who ruled for more than 170 years, starting in the 1500’s, are buried here along with family members and courtesans. There are 21 domed granite tombs and almost as many mosques, set peacefully in landscaped gardens.

There is a restoration project going on and a few of the tombs have been restored.  I have to say, I am glad that I got to see them before the restoration. The aging soot stained structures have so much more character compared to the restored clean structures that look like they were built a few years ago. Continue reading →

July 2nd, 2015

Today we went to see the original Infosys campus.  Consistent with the other Infosys campuses that I had seen, I felt like I had stepped in to a futuristic setting.

I had enjoyed my time with the people I met at Infosys but I was glad that it was a short day.  We headed out to see some more sites and to catch a flight to New Dehli.

Continue reading →

Haleem with Sheermal

Pindi Chole

July 1st, 2015

I returned to the hotel and was told that Fridaus, the restaurant was closed.  I was bummed, I had been hearing about Hyderabadi Haleem since I got to Hyderabad and I really wanted it for dinner.  I got to my room and was not to about to give up.  I noticed the information in my room indicated I had another 1/2 hour before the restaurant closed. I decided to call room service and I was told that I could still order Haleem with Sheermal.  I ordered and that along with another dish I wanted to try Pindi Chole.

I am told that Haleem is only available this time of year.  It is eaten during Ramadan a Muslim Holiday.  Haleem was described as Popular hyderabadi dish of lamb simmered hours together whith whole wheat and Indian spiced to make it soft and musky -topped with mint leaves, saffron, pure ghee and golden friend onion.  How could you go wrong?  Pindi Chole is described as a traditional preparation of chickpeas with dry spices and cooked over a slow fire.

I think this has to be the best meal I had in India and I understand why everyone kept telling me that I needed to try the Haleem!

Group Selfie!

July 1st, 2015

After a morning of site-seeing, I went back in to Infosys to spend more time with the team and to meet people from the later shifts.  We had a group photo out front with my travelling co-workers and the larger Infosys team.  My team broke off and took a group selfie.  I have to admit, that the Selfie Stick is good for photos like this!

The team also gave me some Indian Desserts.  A few items to take back to the office and some Ghee sweets and Rasgulla which I was told to eat within a week.  That won’t be a problem.  After a snack that evening, I opened the Rasgulla and shared with Bill and James.  They are spongy balls soaked in a sweet syrup.  I never knew India had such wonderful desserts! There will be no problem finishing this off before I leave!

I am hoping to get a few more pictures of the larger group to post, but in the meantime, I will simply post the picture of the Rasgulla!  Thanks Team!

Continue reading →

Charminar

July 1st, 2015

Before going in to Infosys, we stopped at Charminar and Mecca Masjid.  Charminar was built-in 1591. I kept telling myself to take it easy and not push myself, I didn’t want to re-injure my back.  I told my coworkers at one point that they should go on up and I would wait down below.  A few minutes later, I was leading the pack up the narrow staircase  into the tower.  It didn’t bother my back but it was very claustrophobic,  a narrowing winding staircase with uneven stairs, people in front and in back, I all of a sudden felt a little confined.  I was glad when we made it to the upper floor.  I was relieved when they said we couldn’t go any higher.

We made our way back down to the street level where we continued to take pictures.  Unfortunately, while standing there a pigeon pooped on Bill.  It was one of those moments where you try not to laugh and try to do something to look like you are sympathetic but you can only fight back the laughter for so long.  At least it didn’t get on his clothing and just his hand.

Continue reading →

The NOSC offshore team members (minus third shift)

June 30th, 2015

I met my co-workers for breakfast hoping that my back injury wasn’t going to hold me be back another day.  Although there was still some discomfort, I knew I was on the mend and could make it through the day.

Today I went to the Infosys Hyderabad Campus.  It was a really nice campus. I was looking forward to seeing the Hyderabad because this is where the offshore people on my team work.  I was finally going to meet them.  I was finally going to meet the people whose name I see on a daily basis but due to the time difference rarely see online or talk to (except for the third shift).

The day started with a tour of the campus.  I could see similarities to the other campus in Pune, very nice buildings in a very nice landscaped setting.  The modern buildings give it a futuristic feel.  Overall a very nice environment to work.

After the tour, I got to meet the people on various teams including my team. This was later followed up with a sit-down both before and after lunch and then afternoon coffee.  I really enjoyed it and look forward to spending more time with them tomorrow.

It really makes a big difference when you get to meet people in person!

Continue reading →

Gilafi Seekh Kebab

Murgh Tikka Lababdar

Garlic Naan

June 29th, 2015

I ordered Indian food for lunch.  I had a Gilafi Seekh Kebab which is shish kebab made of minced lamb along with Murgh Tikka Lababdar – clay oven chicken cooked with tomato and onion gravy.  Of course I had to have it with garlic naan.  It was so delicious. Yum!  I spent most of the day recovering from my back injury.  Not a great day but at least I had a great lunch!

Ohri’s

Kebab’s for lunch

Garlic Naan

Kulfi

June 28th, 2015

I wish I had more pictures for the day but I twisted my back somehow.  I woke up fine but a few hours later, I could barely walk.  I thought walking would help loosen it up but it didn’t.  I was fine when I wasn’t moving, but was in severe pain when I stood or walked.  I so wanted to go out and see Hyderabad but it wasn’t going to happen that day.

At least I had a good lunch.  I think Ohri’s was the model for the Rain-forest Cafe minus the gorillas, and thunderstorms.  I am not going to try to describe the food and simply say, I ate a lot of it.  We started with Kebabs and was told that there was more coming.  I am not a dessert person but somehow one showed up for me (they don’t take no for an answer when it comes to food) and it was delicious.  I joked about it looking like butter and it was smooth and creamy like butter.

Unfortunately, I had to be dropped off at the hotel.  I was in a lot of pain and could barely walk.  James and Bill, my coworkers were very helpful but I insisted the drop me and go on to see Hyderabad.  I didn’t want to ruin their day!

I was again impressed by the level of service the hotel provided.  The driver mentioned a few words to doorman and the next thing I knew, there were people there to help get from the car to the my room, they called a doctor and after after I saw the Doctor, they picked up the medication I needed and checked back on me.  I was very appreciative of their help.  At least I got to catch up on work as well as my blog.