I haven’t been able to get much reading done since I’ve been in India, but I thought I’d post an update none the less.

It’s 6 weeks into the new year and I’ve only managed to read the following books:

1. A Dirty Job – Christopher Moore
2. The Last Juror – John Grisham
3. Goal Analysis – Robert F Mager
4. River’s End – Nora Roberts
5. Rebellion – Nora Roberts
6. Don’t be Afraid – Rebecca Drake – I’ll be posting a book review for this one as part of the Debut a Debut contest this weekend. I know, I read it a bit early, but better early than late 😉
7. Who Moved My Cheese – Spenser Johnson
8. On The Run – Iris Johansen
9. Every Which Way But Dead – Kim Harrison

Despite being on track for my goal, I’m pretty disappointed with myself. Normally I’d have read many more books by this point in the year. Work is really cutting in on my down time for reading while I’m in India. I’ll have to work harder when I’m in Manila to get some more books under my belt. On the bright side, I do have 10+ Christopher Moore books waiting to be read when I return home *yippee*

Technorati Tags: books, reading, debut a debut, 52books

Feast Number One Hundred & Thirty

Appetizer: Have you been sick yet this winter? If so, what did you come down with?

• So far I’ve been really lucky (knock wood) and haven’t been sick. I have been known to catch a bad cold while visiting Manila, but I’m hoping that my body will have had enough time to adjust to the climate change through my trip through India before I land in the Philippines later this month.

Soup: What colors dominate your closet?

• Navy blue, tan and brown.

Salad: How would you describe your personal “comfort zone”?

• I’m most comfortable when I’m apart from the crowd, but close enough to observe what’s going on and other’s interactions. If/when I want to participate, I will. For physical location, my “comfort zone” is any comfortable chair surrounded by books.

Main Course: On which reality show would you really like to be a contestant?

• The Amazing Race.

Dessert: Which holiday would you consider to be your favorite?

• Remembrance Day

h/t to Caylynn’s Contemplations for the FF graphic. I shamelessly swiped it from her site.

Technorati Tags: Friday’s Feast

Since there has been a change to the travel itinerary and I won’t be spending as much time in Delhi as planned, I’m revisiting my list to see what I’ve managed to accomplish and what’s I’ll have to save for next time…

Dehli / Gurgaon

1. Agra – Taj Mahal – Been there, done that. WHOOHOO!
2. Travel on the train. – First class all the way. It’s cramped and hot, but at least there are cushions on the benches. Second class had wooden benches, was crammed full, and had odd liquids rolling down the middle of the isle.
3. See monkeys, elephants and snake charmers in Delhi. – Two out of three so far. I saw elephants and camels working on the roadside on my last day in Dehli but didn’t have a camera on hand. Isn’t that always the way it goes? I never did make it to Dehli Haat.
4. Visit Jama Vasjid.
5. Visit Qutb Minar. – we’ll run out of time before I have a chance to see this.
6. Visit Humayun’s Tomb and Nizam-ud-din’s Shrine in Dehli. – same as above unfortunately.

Mumbai

I didn’t make it to any of the original places on my list for Mumbai. I did however, visit the following:

1. Museum (formerly Prince of Wales Museum).
2. India Gate.
3. Elephanta Island

I’ll post pictures and trip details over the weekend (I hope)
Bangalore

1. Return to the Bull Temple. I’ve been there and written about my experience before, but my traveling companion hasn’t seen it yet.
2. Shop and explore MG and Brigade roads (Bangalore). I had so much fun there in 2003. Perhaps on the drive I’ll manage to finally get a photo of the outside wall of the Catholic cemetery that had a painted sign stating “please do not pass urine here� that I used to pass each day on my way from the hotel to work.
3. Visit the Lalbagh Gardens. I spent 7 weeks in Bangalore in 2003 and still can’t believe I never made the trip to see these gardens while I was there previously.
4. If there’s time, make a trip out to Chamundi Hill and Somnathapura (close to Mysore) while visiting Bangalore. I’m only spending 3 or 4 days in Bangalore, so I don’t know how much I’ll manage to see while I’m there. I do have to find time to fit in some work during my trip…

Technorati Tags: India, travel

After a two week break from T13 (this entry should help explain why) I’m finally found some time to breathe.

Welcome to the 15th edition of the screaming pages Thursday Thirteen.

When it rains, it pours…

Thirteen Things that can go wrong in India. My suitcase was ripped open somewhere along the journey from Canada to India. At least I manged to replace it before needing to get on a plane from Dehli to Mumbai. Less than stellar place to sleep – you don’t always know what you’re getting yourself into. Trip date changes – we were originally planning on spending 4 weeks in India and had made all arrangements around that plan. A shortened time line has left me scrambling to buy plane new tickets, make changes to existing tickets and try to find hotels in Mumbai at 7am for the same day. On the bright side, I do get to spend extra time with my friends and co-workers in Manila now. What can I say about the hotel arrangements? Most hotels were booked solid and couldn’t accommodate us for the entire duration. We’ve had to hotel hop just to have a place to stay. 4 days in one hotel, check out at 7am, check in to new hotel at 9am (travel time). 2 days in that hotel and we hop to another one… Crazy schedule – I know we need to meet a lot of people, but it’d be nice if the schedules weren’t back to back meetings for 10 hours. An occasional bathroom break or lunch time slot would be nice. Our cab was in a car accident. I kicked a toddler. My VPN connection doesn’t work so I can’t access work email from inside the office. I have to connect in from the hotel before and after heading to the office. Network guys haven’t figured out the problem yet *whaaaa* Assuming the hotel has an Internet connection. And that the hotel’s Internet connection is actually functioning at that time. My cell phone isn’t working properly. I can get incoming calls but can’t make outgoing calls. I’ve paid a small fortune so I can call my husband and can’t use the damn phone! The phones were originally barred after 5 days because the Simm card dealer didn’t file the paperwork. Ted’s phone was sorted out, but mine took an extra day. Then, they didn’t turn on nationwide roaming – so when we shifted to Pune my phone stopped working. Anyone traveling to India who needs a cell phone connection should avoid HUTCH like the plague! I’m now working on day 4 without a working cell phone and reliable connection to North America. I haven’t spoken to my husband since arriving in India weeks ago. I’m looking forward to Manila, where I know the cell service well and can easily hook up my phone to call home. Despite having multiple email confirmations that I booked 3 rooms in Pune, when we arrived at the hotel, they only had two reservations on file. Luckily, they had an available room so Subhasish has a place to sleep. Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Technorati Tags: thursday thirteen, t13, meme, travel, India, hotels, cell phones

We’re still working like crazy and Internet access has been sporadic at best. Two days without an Internet connection has me jonesing for a fix.

We had another whirlwind sight seeing weekend last week and I promise to post an update and some pictures when a get a little bit of breathing room. After a full day at work, we head to Pune tomorrow.

Like damaged luggage, it wouldn’t be a trip to India without a car accident. Today we were rear-ended by another car when we were driving to work. The driver didn’t even get out to check and see if any damage was done, he just continued on his merry way.

Good bye Mumbai. I hardly knew you. I’m so sorry to say I didn’t have an opportunity to fulfill my goal and be an extra in a Bollywood film *sniff*

On a sad-ish note, Darcy over at Dust My Broom has decided to take a break from blogging for a while. I, for one, will really miss him while he’s away. I’m sure Shere Khan and Lisa (with a little help from Fenris) will do a great job keeping the broom hopping. We’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed that Friday Night Blues and Beer is still on.

I’ve always found DMB to be a great connection to home while I travel around the world. There’s nothing better than reading election commentary on a blog from Olds, Alberta when you’re voting from the Philippines…

After breaking the news to MOT, I’m sure I’ll need to console him over a few Kingfishers.

Technorati Tags: Dust my Broom, India, car accident, Mumbai, Pune