#25: The Ultimat3 new 3 Series

The Foreign Registration Office is a sticky-hot building with no movement of air where everyone is drenched in sweat. There are stacks of paper everywhere. We lost track of the number of signatures and official stamps required, but now we’re legally able to live in India for the next year.

Three boys raced to shine my shoes for 50 Rupees (a dollar).

Endless amounts of paperwork are required for everything along with passport photos. We purchased cell phones for Lynda and Kayla, but after two weeks, we still don’t have service.

A field investigation is required for any kind of service. This man came to our apartment to verify residency and confirm paperwork. It wasn’t quite right, so we’re trying a different avenue and hope to break through next week to activate the cell phones.

Raj, our receptionist, was engaged last weekend. Most marriages are arranged in India; however, hers will be a love marriage. She dated for four years without her parents’ knowledge (she nervously told them last year at Diwali). Her parents had been actively searching for her future husband, but grandmotherly influence finally convinced her father to consider her wishes. The two families met, and after three months, he granted permission.

A day prior to engagement, Raj was painted with Mehndi tattoos.

Fifty people from both families attended the engagement party. The wedding date is set for February 14 — an auspicious day in the Hindi calendar, and coincidentally, Valentine’s Day.

Friday took me to Mumbai for the 3 Series launch.

BMW invented the sports sedan segment 37 years ago. Previous generations were on display.

The event was of Hollywood standards which included dynamic projections on the featured cars before they were unveiled. Very impressive.

And then, the legendary Sachin Tendulkar joined the event. He is the most celebrated cricket player in India. He bought his first BMW some 20 years ago and is a true BMW enthusiast.

People refer to Sachin as a God. Take the combined popularity of Michael Jordon, Joe Montana, Mickey Mantle, Wayne Gretzky, and that’s Sachin.

Customers flocked to the cars.  The new 3 Series received a big “thumbs up” all around.

Back in Delhi on Saturday, here’s the front page of the newspaper…

… and page two. This was a spectacular launch, and perfectly executed.

I arrived in time to see the Olympic opening ceremonies from London. Kayla was born 16 years ago on July 28 during the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

The local bakery created this 3 kilogram elephant cake…

… with 16 candles.

Our little girl is now 5’ 9”.

We move into our new flat on Monday. Enjoy your week. ts

 

#24: My perspective

It was an exciting week. I got my first cell phone!

 

We also went swimming!

 

 The money here is very colorful and comes in large amounts! This is 10,000 Rupees ($200).

Malls in India were built without thought; just go ahead and build them next to each other. There are so many of them and they are all unique. 

 

The metal detectors are everywhere when you enter the malls! That big box is where the women get patted down! Yep this is how it works in India.

 

My sister better wear long pants in the future. No one here wears shorts.

  

The rickshaws are everywhere and they have no seatbelts or air bags.

 

This is the spectacular new 3 Series. Everybody should have a BMW, because BMW is better than any other car. Get a new BMW today, because they are awesome. Get one or two, Get them now!

 

We see this everywhere we go in the car. This made me frightened just to see these children pressed against the window! Much of India is in poverty. 

 

This was heart breaking.

 

This is my dad’s favorite store. OK, Modern Bazaar is bazaar, not modern… NOT AT ALL!

 

We see this everywhere on the road… women sitting side saddle on motorcycles.

 

This is my perspective. I’m okay living here. I miss US burgers!  Bye from Gregory!

#23: They’re here!

What an amazing week. It started with my flight to the US to pick up my family. I flew Turkish Air which included a stopover in Istanbul. As you can see by the route, we flew directly over Iran. Looking out the window, I could not detect any suspicious activity.

Upon arrival at JFK, I traveled directly to Mt. Fuji in Hillburn for Kayla’s Sweet 16th party (perfect timing). It wasn’t planned this way, but somehow there were 16 girls to celebrate her 16th birthday.

We spent the next three days finalizing transition details (cleaning the house, paint touch ups, etc.). Our house is now empty and ready for the tenants.

It was a tearful goodbye with the grandmothers, but thanks to their granddaughter’s assistance, they are now tech savvy and will stay connected via Skype.

Tuesday, it was off to Delhi with a layover in Istanbul.

It’s amazing to see the intersection of traditional and modern worlds in Turkey.

Then it was back on another plane for Delhi.

Flying over Istanbul, mosques are frequent and prominent throughout the city.

The Bosphorus strait divides Istanbul. It also separates Europe from Asia. Istanbul is the only city in the world located on two continents.

We arrived in Delhi Thursday morning. The customs cue welcomes visitors with classical dance gestures.

This man needed a nap, so why not right here in the parking garage.  His shoes are his pillow.

We were greeted by this cow who was walking down the middle of a four-lane road.

All this in six days. It was a very smooth transition and everything worked according to plan. Now my family joins the adventure!  Enjoy your week. ts

#22: My neighborhood vs. village life

In contrast to Old Delhi (30 kilometers away), I live in a modern apartment complex on Golf Course Road in the suburb of Gurgaon.

The street is swept by hand each day with a homemade broom.

Street lights are repaired using this bamboo ladder, which is held together by two screws at the top.

The explosive growth of Gurgaon over the past 15 years was fueled by the influx of many multi-national corporations.

This dealer is across the street from my apartment.

Notice the ostentatious 3-point star on the roof.

I’m sure our NSC colleagues had a good chuckle when this 5 Series billboard was posted on the side of their building.

Unlike other cows, this one was using the side walk. And with cows everywhere comes their bi-product…

…cooking fuel. This is why cows are sacred. They provide essential elements for sustaining life. More on this later.

Here’s the headline in Wednesday’s newspaper. There’s been concern about the delayed start of the monsoon season.

On the 4th of July, I traveled through a village on the outskirts of Delhi for an Alphera conference.

I saw many storage sheds made of cow dung for storage of more cow dung.

It was refreshing to see all the greenery at the Best Western.

Since most of the power comes from generators, air conditioning and hot water are not available for two hours each day.

At 3:40 pm Wednesday afternoon, the monsoon season began. It will now rain quite frequently over the next three months.

The following photos were taken Thursday afternoon on the way back through the village. No captions needed.

Back in my neighborhood, the langoor is on watch for monkeys. I will share the truth about monkeys at a later date.

I’m off to the US to pick up my family. We’re anxious to be reunited. I hope everyone is having a great summer. ts