#9: Auspicious car shopping

Today is March 31 which is fiscal year end in India for the government and major corporations.  This is a very popular time to buy a car making March the busiest month of the year.  

Additionally, according to Hindu calendar mythology, the end of this March is a very auspicious time to buy a car. Auspiciousness plays a major role in the decision. It’s ok to buy a car on Saturday, but not take delivery until Monday (Saturday is not an auspicious day to bring home anything metal). 

For high-end luxury cars, back seat comfort is the most important selling feature.  Note the TV screens in this 7 Series. 

Here’s a 7 Series ad in Fortune magazine (a Z-gatefold off the cover for media aficionados).  The ad copy focuses on the back seat:

-folding tables in the rear

-rear Comfort Seats with massage function

-refrigerator box

-Rear-seat Entertainment Professional w/9.2” high-resolution screens 

On the other end of the spectrum, the Suzuki Swift is very common here (trunk design © Adrian van Hooydonk and Chris Bangle.  Hofmeister Kink © Wilhelm Hofmeister). 

The official sound of India is horn honking… it’s non-stop, 24/7.  People drive with their left hands on the wheel and their right hands on the horn.  

Many vehicles encourage horn honking.  They drive as much by sound as they do by sight. 

How did your kids get to school this week?  This man negotiated through 5 lanes of merging traffic with his son. 

I had a first-time Indian experience this week.  I crossed the street.  Eight lanes over and back again.  The trick is to slowly move into traffic and wait for cars to maneuver around you.  There was lots of horn honking at me and cars so close I could touch them, but I made it.  

Meanwhile, cows cross the street without hesitation or fear. 

This is my favorite cow.  I pass him each day on the way to work. 

Today is month end and we’re expecting a strong close with solid FS penetration. 

Happy April Fools Day tomorrow!  ts

#8: Old Delhi

Today was laundry day. Electricity is scarce and expensive, so clothing is air-dried (my delicates have been removed for the purposes of this photo).

Then it was off to old Delhi. What appears to be chaos is everyday life for Indians.

I toured the Jama Mosque. Although 82% of India’s population is Hindu, surprisingly, 11% follow Islam. With Muslim Pakistan to the north, tensions run high with India (as they have since partition in the 1940’s). The governments will never agree, but the everyday people are completely open to all religions.

The Red Fort was built in the 1600’s. Independence Day is celebrated here every August 15, when freedom from British rule was obtained in 1947. Sound familiar?

The only PDA I’ve seen is between men (public displays of affection). They’re just good buddies and nothing more.

India is the birth place of four major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. This is a Sikh temple.

Only bare feet are permitted, which must be washed prior to entry.

The temple is open 24/7 with an endless stream of worshipers. Universal brotherhood is practiced and everyone is treated as an equal.

Head coverings are required for all.

A bike cab is the best way to see Chandni Chowk, Delhi’s most crowded bazaar.

The “driver” negotiated traffic flawlessly.

2% of the population is Christian. Unlike the US, Good Friday is a national holiday here which emphasizes the openness to all religions.

What seems chaotic to outsiders is everyday life for Indians. Somehow, it all works.

Thank you for all the kind comments and positive reactions to the blog. I’m glad to hear how these glimpses are shared with family members, especially children. It helps keep life in perspective. Enjoy your week. ts

 

#7: Shopaholic confessions

I have a confession. I’m a shopaholic. (Somebody please rush smelling salts to my entire family). In the states, I’d rather clean toilets than shop (not that I did that either). My wife is calling “foul” right about now.

This is my supermarket. The word “Modern” is relative.

The aisles are wide enough for one customer at a time.  If I find what I want, they have one brand, one flavor, one size.

My shopping mall comes with backup generators.

Trust: It is important to trust your barber when a straight-edge razor is pressed against your neck. And yes, I trust Sameer.

Roadside barbers are common. This customer is getting a shave.

In the US, this would be sold at Home Depot in the sand paper aisle.

Metal detectors and a personal pat-down are standard at every mall entrance.

Ok, I now enjoy shopping, but I haven’t gone completely off the deep end!

This family of 4 was headed to the mall.

This woman was not. She was in a residential neighborhood collecting firewood as cooking fuel.

Separately, my son, Gregory, turned 11 years old on Thursday. The team here in India helped me celebrate with a chocolate cake. The kindness and the thoughtfulness of the Indian people continues to make a significant impact on me.

Dan, Ellen and I had dinner tonight. We remarked on the amazing spirit of the people. We concluded it’s best to leave your American comparisons in the states and embrace the culture as is. It truly is remarkable. Enjoy your week. ts

#6: Bombay / Mumbai + Happy Holi

Monday, I visited Bavaria Motors in Pune (home town of Swati Licis, a BMW FS colleague in New Jersey).  Swati’s name opened doors there as she is well-known and highly respected. 

From there it was off to Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay. The city has had many names over the centuries, but once the British gained possession in the 1600’s, it became known as Bombay. In an effort to shed the unwanted legacy of British colonial rule, the city name was changed to Mumbai in 1995 in honor of the goddess Mumbadevi.  However, I heard the name Bombay used more frequently.   

Just like Delhi, Mumbai transportation can be very manual.

School children wear uniforms. 

With 20 million people, Mumbai is the most populated city in India, and the 4^th most in the world.  It is the financial capital of India, and also home to Bollywood.  Mumbai has India’s most expensive real estate, and yet millions of people live in slums which are everywhere.  I saw them surrounding the airport and woven throughout the fabric of the city.  

Look closely at the roofs and you will see… 

…satellite dishes. I am told people live here by choice and are resisting efforts to redevelop. 

I returned to Delhi Wednesday evening, just in time for a new experience. Thursday was Holi (pronounced “wholly”), a national holiday with religious significance in Hindu mythology.  It is known as the festival of colors when participants throw colored powder at each other to celebrate the arrival of spring. I had been cautioned to be careful since some celebrations can become very rowdy.  Never-the-less, I wondered out of my apartment and was drawn to music at the other end of my complex. 

My Caucasianess stood out (I was the only one).  It was as if I’d landed from Mars and people didn’t know what to make of me.  They were hesitant and kept their distance. 

I could see this boy contemplating me as a target.  Was I fair game or off-limits?  I could see him mentally say, “What the heck.”  

And then he blasted me.  

That was the perfect ice breaker.  With that, many people approached to wish me happy Holi and rubbed my face with colored powders.  Everyone was so open and friendly.  I was instantly treated as family by the entire community. 

To enhance the experience, a bucket of cold water was added.  You can tell I’m a rookie.  My neighbor didn’t flinch at all. 

This boy was quite experienced.  He filled his Super Soaker nearly to the top with water and then packed it with orange powder. 

Look out!  

My first Holi experience brought me into the community.  I will always remember the openness and kindness of my neighbors.  As for the cleanup, after two showers I still have an orange ring around my neck and bright colors deep into my ears. Have a great week.  ts

#5: Pedal Power

It’s amazing how much transportation takes place via non-motorized methods.

I’m guessing his cargo out-weighs him 5 – 1.

These are water tanks (I think?)

When your propane tank runs out while cooking dinner, it’s important to replace it quickly.

I’m sure the chicken cage accessory was special ordered.

An alternate form of transportation.

Let me transition to food shopping (a weekly highlight). Carrots are red, and more flavorful.

Milk is sold in boxes and is good for 120 days from the package date.

Rice is sold in bulk… by the kilo.

And once you buy the rice, you have to get it home.

Tricycle taxis are very common.

What better way to transport your Lagooni (chimp). He chases the monkeys — real monkeys, not the Davy Jones variety. (sorry for the topical reference)

Bikes share the roads with all other motor vehicles.

When nature calls, you stop and answer.

Big news in India this week. Dan DeChristopher was announced as the new CEO of BMW Financial Services (I think that’s what it says).

When pulling out the motorcycle, take the whole family!

I’m off to Mumbai next week, and Thursday is Holi, the festival of colors. Thanks for following the blog. Comments are always welcome. Have a great week.  ts