Sunday, September 25, 2005
As the weeks drag by...
It's another sunny Sunday off but I don't feel like doing much of anything. The town is very poor and the shops that are here are mostly closed today. This is a very depressing area. They say it is between a village and a town in size and infrastructure but I don't think it has any relevance to what we are accustomed to in the USA. After all, the population in this village/town is only about 300,000. Go figure... Thought about calling Murthy, the English speaking auto-rickshaw driver I met last Sunday but decided to hybernate in my room today instead. I might go out for a walk later... we'll see.
I still can't get used to the way things get done, or rather, don't get done around here. Last night when I got back to the room, after the "party" (I'll explain later) I hung out the Do Not Disturb sign as I hoped to sleep in late. At about 8am this morning I got a phone call from someone wanting to give me a massage but he couldn't speak English so I just said no. I had previously, about a week ago, told him to call me the next evening but he never did. I think it's just a random, hit and miss, kind of thing. Anyway, I managed to fall back asleep and was awakened by the phone again, this time about 10:30am and it was the hotel houskeeping wanting to know if I wanted to have my room cleaned. I wonder what they don't understand about "Do Not Disturb"? I guess to them it means call instead of knock... I have just about given up, resigned myself to all their shortcomings but damn if I like it one little bit. I have to admit, things are getting better but it's just such a struggle, teaching them everyting you want done (both at work and at the hotel) then corrcting them every time they make a mistake just as if they are little children. Damn, I raised my kids and don't think I should have to do things at this level any more but I guess I do. Today, when I let houskeeping in to clean my room I, once again, showed them what I wanted done, which they did, this time. I wonder if they get the idea that I want it done with some regularity. I sure hope so.
I haven't had a prejudice bone in my body for my entire adult life but I find myself thinking that all Indians are stupid, ignorant, worthless people that the world would be better without. I know that is a cold statement and I really don't feel that way but I find myself leaning in that direction. There are only a few people that keep me from really believing those thoughts and although they are only casual aquaintences, I thank god for their stabilizing effect on my thoughts since I really don't like thinking that way at all. This place is even changing the ever optimistic Julia, who, until recently, thought everything was wonderful here. Apparently she's had a few recent experiences of her own that have shaken her trust in the people of India as well.
Julia left for her R&R last Friday. She was concerned since the airport had been closed following last weeks cyclone but it opened up on Friday and she happily headed off to Thailand. She'll be back in a little less than two weeks and I hope she has a safe journey. I do worry a bit about her and a girlfriend traveling there alone but she's confident that all will be OK. I certainly hope so...
Michele, the trainer who was here for a couple weeks has gone. He was supposed to fly out on Thursday but got stuck here an extra day and got out on Friday. He was a funny guy, full of good stories and a good addition to our group. Sorry he had to go but I don't wish this job location on anyone. If anyone gets a chance to leave, it's a blessing... David, our newest TA, originally from Africa, got here a few days before Michele left and, although kind of quiet, definately adds to the international flavor of the group.
Oh yea, I was going to tell you about last night's party... What a joke. Yesterday afternoon we were invited to a customer sponsered party that night at the hotel. It ended up as a simple invitation to dinner from two of our customer's senior managers on site, one of whom is leaving for another project. I didn't like him anyway... I dislike people with no common sense and he is a prime example as is the other who just wants us to throw everything together and be done with it with no regard for quality or even proper installation. I get the impression that they think they can throw everything together, pray to some god and he will make it all right. Some party... The two customer managers, David, Adam, Zac and I went across the parking lot to the outdoor park/restaurant, sat in a thached roof building, had a couple drinks and some food. To top it all off, during dinner they hijacked Zac and Adam into coming into work today. Since this job is soooo critical they should have us all working 6 or 7 12 hr days but insist on holding to the 6-8 hr days we are working with occasional extra evening hours. I wonder what will happen when they realise that things just can't even begin to get done on time on our current schedule.
I sure miss home and can't wait for this job to end...
I still can't get used to the way things get done, or rather, don't get done around here. Last night when I got back to the room, after the "party" (I'll explain later) I hung out the Do Not Disturb sign as I hoped to sleep in late. At about 8am this morning I got a phone call from someone wanting to give me a massage but he couldn't speak English so I just said no. I had previously, about a week ago, told him to call me the next evening but he never did. I think it's just a random, hit and miss, kind of thing. Anyway, I managed to fall back asleep and was awakened by the phone again, this time about 10:30am and it was the hotel houskeeping wanting to know if I wanted to have my room cleaned. I wonder what they don't understand about "Do Not Disturb"? I guess to them it means call instead of knock... I have just about given up, resigned myself to all their shortcomings but damn if I like it one little bit. I have to admit, things are getting better but it's just such a struggle, teaching them everyting you want done (both at work and at the hotel) then corrcting them every time they make a mistake just as if they are little children. Damn, I raised my kids and don't think I should have to do things at this level any more but I guess I do. Today, when I let houskeeping in to clean my room I, once again, showed them what I wanted done, which they did, this time. I wonder if they get the idea that I want it done with some regularity. I sure hope so.
I haven't had a prejudice bone in my body for my entire adult life but I find myself thinking that all Indians are stupid, ignorant, worthless people that the world would be better without. I know that is a cold statement and I really don't feel that way but I find myself leaning in that direction. There are only a few people that keep me from really believing those thoughts and although they are only casual aquaintences, I thank god for their stabilizing effect on my thoughts since I really don't like thinking that way at all. This place is even changing the ever optimistic Julia, who, until recently, thought everything was wonderful here. Apparently she's had a few recent experiences of her own that have shaken her trust in the people of India as well.
Julia left for her R&R last Friday. She was concerned since the airport had been closed following last weeks cyclone but it opened up on Friday and she happily headed off to Thailand. She'll be back in a little less than two weeks and I hope she has a safe journey. I do worry a bit about her and a girlfriend traveling there alone but she's confident that all will be OK. I certainly hope so...
Michele, the trainer who was here for a couple weeks has gone. He was supposed to fly out on Thursday but got stuck here an extra day and got out on Friday. He was a funny guy, full of good stories and a good addition to our group. Sorry he had to go but I don't wish this job location on anyone. If anyone gets a chance to leave, it's a blessing... David, our newest TA, originally from Africa, got here a few days before Michele left and, although kind of quiet, definately adds to the international flavor of the group.
Oh yea, I was going to tell you about last night's party... What a joke. Yesterday afternoon we were invited to a customer sponsered party that night at the hotel. It ended up as a simple invitation to dinner from two of our customer's senior managers on site, one of whom is leaving for another project. I didn't like him anyway... I dislike people with no common sense and he is a prime example as is the other who just wants us to throw everything together and be done with it with no regard for quality or even proper installation. I get the impression that they think they can throw everything together, pray to some god and he will make it all right. Some party... The two customer managers, David, Adam, Zac and I went across the parking lot to the outdoor park/restaurant, sat in a thached roof building, had a couple drinks and some food. To top it all off, during dinner they hijacked Zac and Adam into coming into work today. Since this job is soooo critical they should have us all working 6 or 7 12 hr days but insist on holding to the 6-8 hr days we are working with occasional extra evening hours. I wonder what will happen when they realise that things just can't even begin to get done on time on our current schedule.
I sure miss home and can't wait for this job to end...
