#16: Guest Bloggers: Kayla and Gregory

Hi, this is Kayla and Gregory. Blog #16 is special; it will be told from our perspective on India. We left the US Saturday afternoon for our one-week, “look / see” trip and arrived in Delhi Sunday evening. Our dad greeted us with a vibrant, red dot between his eyes for good luck. As you can see, we all fashioned the red dot.

We began Monday with a tour of our school next year, the American Embassy School (AES).

AES has a beautiful campus directly across from the American Embassy.

This is the Hall of Peace. It has 54 flags draped from the ceiling representing the 54 different countries which collaborate in AES.

Since people all over the world walk and drive on different sides of the road, AES has arrows drawn for the elementary school to stay to the left.

AES’s mascot is a fearless tiger, which Gregory enjoys.

The second scariest part of India is the transportation. Every means of transportation uses the main street. This includes: cars, bikes, pedestrians, auto rickshaws, and trucks.

In addition to this, there is some sort of untold rule that every Indian abides by where you HAVE to move as close as possible to the vehicle in front of you at all times. It’s every man for himself out on the road.

When we first entered the car Sunday night, I felt as if I should be the one driving. It took some getting used to, to remember which side I should sit on. I have full faith in my dad’s driver, Amir, but I would NEVER enter a car with my parents at the wheel in this country.

With India’s transportation as the second scariest part, that leaves India’s wild life as number 1. On this short trip alone, we have encountered cows, pigs, monkeys, wild dogs, lizards, and strange bright yellow bugs. No, we have not seen any snakes, and we hope it stays that way! This is why we all had a rabies shot.

Another reason for this trip was to find a place to live for the next two years. This is our new home in a housing complex.

We had a wonderful relocation specialist, Anamike. She showed us over 30 places to live.

This is Anamike at her beautiful, Indian wedding in January. It is tradition to wear a nose ring.

Arranged marriages are very important in the Indian culture; therefore, they have a section in the newspaper dedicated to people advertising themselves for marriage… I thought I’d take a look through.

Life in India has extremes. This woman is carrying dirt on her head. It is flabbergasting to see all of the poverty in India next to modern, high rise buildings.

There are two ways to shop in India: at an outdoor market where the temperature is about 107 degrees…

…or in this very western, air conditioned mall. My guess is that my mom will spend more time here than at the market.

Continually, the power is out. The record from this week is about six times in one day; however, the power does come back within 30 seconds. Luckily my dad has flashlights (yes, this is an authentic photo).

Although we do not blend in with the Indians at all, we like to embrace the culture. We wear our Indian garb with pride.

If you would like a synopsis of India, picture the United States, now think of the exact opposite. That’s India.

#15: Hospitable India

This week’s travels included a circuit of dealer visits along the northwest.  India has 28 states and seven union territories.  First stop: Jaipur, the capitol of Rajasthan, which means “land of kingdoms.” 

 

Enormous forts dominate the rolling hillsides.  Construction on Amer fort started in 1589 and was completed 137 years later in 1726.  The architecture is a mix of Hindu, Muslim and Persian.

 

I was welcomed at the BMW dealership with a flower garland and a red dot of rose paste between the eyes for good luck.  The owners live next door and invited me into their home for lunch, which included all natural, home-grown vegetables from their farm. Their warmth and hospitality will always be remembered.

 

The MINI brand is just launching now in India.  In Mumbai, we visited the inaugural MINI dealership.

 

This is a historic MINI, cued up for the country’s first delivery.  The flower garland is for good luck.

 

We waited with the customer until the auspicious hour of 8:00 pm to take delivery.  He smashed a coconut in front of the car, and then sprinkled the coconut milk across the engine.  He later tied lemons and chili peppers to the back of the car to ward off evil spirits.  He is a loyal FS customer with multiple BMW contracts

 

The Rolls-Royce dealer in town knows TJ (but who doesn’t);

 

I visited four BMW dealerships on this trip and they’re all very new, modern and  “CI” compliant. 

 

On to Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state of Gujarat. Out of respect to Gandhi, the father of India who was born in Gujarat, the entire state is dry (no alcohol).  A devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck in January 2001, killing nearly 20,000 people.  The city was virtually leveled, and has since been rebuilt over the last 12 years.

 

This photo was taken from the back seat of an X5.

 

I was taken to an Indian village experience where pre-dinner activities included a ride on an ox cart…

 

…which was followed by a camel ride.                                                                                                                                 

 

We removed our shoes and sat on cushions for dinner.

 

Our meal was 100% vegetarian and very spicy.  There’s hot, mega hot, and then Indian hot (which is just right for the locals).  My taste buds are permanently singed.

 

Upon return to Delhi Friday evening, I was able to connect with American visitors from Ohio.  Mark Weisser, Sachin Kuthe and Jeff Gabriel are here to learn about IT infrastructure developed in India, as well as to share best practices from the US.

 

Hospitable is the word of the week.  I continue to be awed by the warmth, genuineness and hospitality shown by the Indian people.  There is much to learn from this culture.  Enjoy your week.  ts

#14: Ich liebe München

 

This week found me in München for the Global Sales and Marketing conference where networking and exchanging of best practices is key.  The culminating event was held inside the Welt’s double cone.

 

Chris Pfeiffer performed amazing stunts within inches of the crowd with his F800R.

 

It was great to see the American colleagues.

 

Nicholas Leduc just arrived to begin his three-year Project CUBE assignment.  His two children are attending Bavarian International School and report it’s the best school ever. 

 

The Brand Academy is extremely well done.  The Rolls-Royce video on Michael Fux features our American-in-Goodwood colleague Thomas Jefferson (TJ).

 

It’s always great to connect with Manfred Pernitsch, the mastermind behind the Welt content and now in charge of international events, reporting to Uwe Ellinghaus.

 

Tina Deinlein is radiant as ever.  She now handles communications for the BMW Welt, Museum, factory tour and BMW Classic. Emma is already 3 ½.

 

Eva-Maria Boerschlein is managing the Guggenheim Lab, a project tailor-made for her.  She’s in the process of moving the lab from New York to Berlin, and then later this year to Mumbai.  I see a pan-India dealer meeting in our future at the lab.

 

I applaud the bright, colorful, artistic approach to the U-Bahn (subway).

 

This BMW ad is promoting innovations.  In essence, we never stop when taking a revolutionary approach to achieving a goal.  In this case, a zero emission vehicle as the next step forward.

 

A quick trip to Gauting brought back fond memories.  This is the Rathaus (city hall), in the center of town.

 

This is where we lived from 2004 – 2007, Magdalenenstrasse 6.

 

At Carmine, a tiny Italian restaurant next to the Rathaus, Suzy remembered me instantly.

 

I had the usual, Pizza Prosciutto mit Spezi.

 

What a small world.  I bumped into Steve McCarthy, CEO of Alem, at a the Chinesischer Turm in Englischer Garten.

 

It’s always gratifying to re-connect with the old gang and revel in career successes.  Dr. Philipp Wiegandt is conducting market research on amazing new technologies which will soon be featured in BMW’s.  Dr. Felix von Held is leading two entrepreneurial adventures focused on innovations and change management.   

 

I’m now carrying 4 different currencies in my wallet.  Conversions to US Dollars are

10 Rupees = 18 cents

10 Turkish Lira = $5.60

10 Euro = $12.92

 

Munich is absolutely gorgeous and loaded with charm.  The Alps are only an hour away and provide an endless array of exploration and adventure.  Perhaps one day, we will once again have a Munich address.  Enjoy your week.  ts

#13: Türkiye Time

 

This week finds me on a dealer incentive trip to the south coast of Turkey in Antalya, an hour’s flight from Istanbul. 

Many different conquerors ruled this area called Perge, but it was the Romans (1^st to the 5^th century AD) who left the lasting impression. 

The Aspendos Theater is in excellent condition. Its marble seats will hold 15,000 people. 

Islam is the primary religion of Turkey with mosques woven into the fabric of the cities and dotting the countryside.  

Compared to other Muslim-dominated countries, Turkey is moderate and secular.  We were given a Catholic / Protestant analogy.  Arabs are like the Catholics with strict adherence to religious rules.  Turks are like the Protestants who are more open to interpretation.  

Turkey became a republic in 1922 under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal, thus ending 623 years of Ottoman rule.  There have been four military coups between 1960 and 1997, but stronger economic growth has led to greater political stability. 

Spices and Turkish tea are available in countless flavors. 

River rafting was exhilarating. 

Scuba diving was a first-time experience for me, and several of our dealers.  This is the makings of Seal Team Seven. This group is very adventurous. Enjoy your week.  ts