I never thought I would appreciate Chicago weather in August!!!

It’s a short post today as it’s 01.46 in India and the golden rule to survive jet lag I to adjust your sleep schedule to the local time zone as quickly as possible. I arrived back Sunday night. The flight was 2 hours delayed (on the ground in O’Hare) so in total I was the plane for 16 hours. Thank God I was in business class. I finally got back to my apartment at 23.30. No rest for the wicked as I jetted off to Bangalore at 7.10 this morning. The return flight from Bangalore was supposed to get in at 23.30 but finally landed at 00.50. Suffice to say I am quite exhausted. This week looks unlikely to bring me rest as tomorrow I’m off to near Chandigarh where we have a factory. We ‘re traveling by train, executive class so perhaps it will be far superior to the usual journey. I doubt it but you never know.

Chicago was fab. At times it hardly felt like work even though I was quite productive. I met up with loads of friends. Normally I hate Chicago weather in August but this year it seemed fine – I think it was not as warm as usual and I’ve become hardened by my India experience. Thanks to all my friends who entertained me and sorry I didn’t get to meet everybody.

Delhi contacts and night life

My limited circle of acquaintances in Delhi has increased. The weekend before last I met R. R is a former student of my friend C (who I stayed with in London) who decided to come and live in India for a year or so. I know this may be a case of the kettle calling the pot black but I think he is a bit mad, very nice, but mad. Significant differences between him and me

• I got transferred with my company (he got a job here with a company via the web)
  
• I have some kind of plan when I’m done in India

I know this might not seem significant but at least I knew some of the people with whom I would be working. Anyway R has completely put me to shame. Arriving two months later than I did, he knows the Hindi alphabet, can sdpeak quite a bit of Hindi and has understood the (for me) incomprehensible public transport system. Really it’s a bit of a shock. Among the non-Indians I know in Delhi, I was the most clued in but R completely beats me.

In my defense I think it’s worth saying that it’s different for a woman. My 2-day Berlitz “living and working in India” did a good job making me cautious. Also R hasn’t been sick at all which wasn’t the case with me at all at all. Of course I have one advantage over R – I’m living pretty centrally (that’s not to say it’s quick to get to town, but distance-wise it’s pretty close) – R however is stuck out in Gurgeon which seems to only have shopping centers, offices and houses. I won’t mind some shopping centers but I can see having no bars or restaurants and being at least an hour from downtown Delhi is bad.

More impressive than R is 23-year old J. He has just finished university and applied for a stage with the EU. He ticked the box which said he was willing to work outside Brussels. By outside Brussels he assumed that would mean Strasbourg, Luxembourg maybe Geneva but lo and behold it meant Delhi (he arrived 2 weeks ago). A German colleague of mine met J out one night and we’ve met him a few times since. On Saturday a group of us went for dinner and afterwards met up with J’s friend, another German. Or at least he claimed he was German - the real Germans said he wasn’t really German but couldn’t place where exactly he was from. There was an eclectic mix of people – a model, an importer/exporter and two guys who were in their father’s business (details a bit limited on business – not sure if it was because the business was shady or the guys were a bit clueless).

Anyhow seven of us ended up in a “nightclub” Well, I’m not a big nightclub person and my Delhi experience certainly isn’t going to change that. The music was loud (I know I sound just like my father), everybody was crowded and sweaty and I felt old. Not as old as my colleague who has over 10 years on me. Despite the deafening music, many people attempted communication. One guy in particular was (I think) trying to chat me up. But quite honestly if he said one more time that “life is like an ice-cream, you have to lick it before it’s all gone”, there was likely to be physical harm done to him!!! The girl beside me thought he was a great philosopher. I guess there is someone for everybody.
I can say I’m glad to have gone, but no further visits planned.

Today I was talking to my friend S

Me: you won’t believe what I did voer the weekend. I went to a nightclub in Delhi

Her: What! You don’t go to nightclubs in Cork

Me: I know but thought I should experience it

Her: How was the music?

Me: boring

Her: did you dance?

Me: yes

Her: you don’t dance

Me: believe ‘twas easier to dance than not to, but I left early

Health alerts, terrorists warnings and other things travelers need to know

I booked a trip back to the US via my company’s website. As a result I am signed up automatically for trip warnings. Here is what they have to say about India.
Not very comforting – fortunately on Thursday I’m off to the US. (I’m sure that’s a big surprise to my regular readers)

Health: UPDATE 3: Indian officials July 31 report twice as many polio cases in 2006 as recorded in all of 2005. Get immunized before travel.
This alert affects India.
This alert began 31 Jul 2006 21:55 GMT and is scheduled to expire 30 Aug 2006 23:59 GMT.
UPDATE 3 to Jan. 9 alert:Indian officials launched a polio immunization campaign July 31 as doctors reported twice as many polio cases so far in 2006 as they recorded in all of 2005. Officials are reporting a spread of cases from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to states that had been previously polio free: Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh.During late 2005, polio spread from India to Nepal after a hiatus of four years, and to Bangladesh after a gap of more than five years. Areas in India reporting polio cases since late 2005 include Haryana, Uttar Pradeshk, Bihar, Gujarat State, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh states. Be sure your polio immunization is up-to-date before travel to the Indian subcontinent.Confirmed numbers of cases always significantly underestimate the extent of an outbreak because there are at least 200 mildly symptomatic cases that go undiagnosed for every infection that causes paralysis.Polio is highly infectious and can spread rapidly. The poliovirus is carried in fecal material. One in 200 cases leads to irreversible paralysis. Among those victims, five to 10 percent die when their respiratory muscles become involved. The risk of paralysis increases with age. There is no specific treatment for polio (Helen: I'm immunized, thank God Polio sounds horrible)

Health: Hundreds sickened by Leptospirosis outbreak in Mumbai, India, since early July. Observe food and water precautions.
This alert affects India.
This alert began 27 Jul 2006 15:30 GMT and is scheduled to expire 26 Aug 2006 23:59 GMT.
Health officials in India announced on July 26 that an outbreak of leptospirosis had sickened nearly 200 people in Mumbai since July 7. The outbreak coincides with the Indian monsoon season when flooding is common throughout the city. Waterborne disease outbreaks, including leptospirosis, occur frequently.Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that affects wild and domestic animals worldwide, but is most common in tropical climates. Human infection occurs through exposure to water, food or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals. Infection causes flu-like symptoms including fever, malaise, headache, nausea and diarrhea that begin two days to four weeks following exposure. Prompt treatment with antibiotics is important to prevent complications. Leptospirosis can be fatal if not treated early with antibiotics and supportive therapy. People traveling through flooded waters are at highest risk. Travelers who engage in recreational activities in fresh water or who work in wet areas are also at risk. There is no immunization for the disease, but prophylactic antibiotics can prevent infection if begun one to two days before exposure and continued through the period of exposure. Antibiotic prophylaxis is advisable for travelers with short term high risk exposure. Consult with your healthcare provider.
Humans are usually exposed to leptospirosis through contact with, or ingestion of, contaminated water. Infection can occur when Leptospira come into contact with mucous membranes or abrasions in the skin. Observe food and water precautions.


Health: India officials report epidemic of Japanese encephalitis in four northeastern districts of Assam state. Vaccine recommended.
This alert affects India.
This alert began 21 Jul 2006 20:25 GMT and is scheduled to expire 27 Aug 2006 23:59 GMT.
On July 21, Indian health officials reported an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in four northeastern districts of Assam state. Doctors say that hundreds are ill and at least 15 have died in July alone. Last year, over 1,400 people died of Japanese encephalitis in India's most populated state, Uttar Pradesh. That outbreak spread to several northern states. Risk for this disease exists through December in northern India. The greatest risk of disease is in people staying for prolonged periods in rural or agricultural areas, especially areas of rice culture and pig farming. However, during an outbreak travelers to urban areas may also be at risk.Japanese encephalitis is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito and causes flu-like symptoms, including headache, fever, and respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, and may progress to confusion, convulsions and death. The disease kills approximately 20 percent of afflicted children, and more than 50 percent of adults. (helen: yikes 50% of adults!!!) It may also result in permanent neurologic or psychiatric problems.There is no specific treatment for the disease, but immunization is effective in preventing the disease and mosquito precautions are important for all travelers. A full complement of immunization requires at least two weeks (three doses) for maximum protection. Avoid exposure to mosquitoes by staying in screened or air conditioned areas whenever possible. Use mosquito repellents that contain DEET, and wear long sleeved shirts and long pants for protection.

Helen: I can’t help thinking that a very unlucky person may get depressed by the antimalarial medicine, hope it will pass and then find he has permanent psychiatric problems due to some other biting insects. My father is a doctor, so on my last trip home I asked him why most of the nasty diseases are in tropical places. We concluded that insects in hot humid climates seem to be perfect hosts for all types of nasty diseases and there’s no harsh winter to kill them off. Subzero temperatures sound better every day!


Security: Communist party rallies scheduled in different localities in Haryana State, India, on Aug. 12, 20, and 27. Avoid protests. (Helen: like most tourists/visitors go looking for protests!! Dah!!)
This alert affects India.
This alert began 01 Aug 2006 03:23 GMT and is scheduled to expire 28 Aug 2006 23:59 GMT.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) is planning to stage mass rallies to mobilize grassroots support in Haryana State in August. The first "August Campaign" rally will occur in Panipat on Aug. 12. The second will take place in Hisar on Aug. 20. The party has scheduled a third rally in Rohtak on Aug. 27. All three locations are industrial towns north and west of Delhi.CPI-M protests over price hikes for fuel and other essential commodities could lead to unrest, although widespread violence is unlikely. Trade unions could call strikes to support the CPI-M agenda, which includes opposition to privatization and a number of issues related to improving labor conditions. Avoid demonstrations and expect transport disruptions in the aforementioned cities on rally dates. Consider avoiding the area around the Indian Oil Corporation refinery in Panipat on Aug. 12. (Helen: Consider avoiding the area - that's a bit mild)

Helen: I’m off to Rohtak tomorrow to visit a distribution center – hopefully being 11 days before the first rally I won’t have anything to worry about (except my driver driving more than 100km on Indian roads – he’s not the safest driver in the world seeing one-way streets as a guideline rather than a rule!)

Security: U.S. Embassy reportedly targeted in terror plot in New Delhi, India; expect tight security in Chanakyapuri through Aug. 15.
This alert affects Delhi.
This alert began 25 Jul 2006 21:10 GMT and is scheduled to expire 16 Aug 2006 12:00 GMT.
The Indian Intelligence Bureau has reportedly warned police and paramilitary agencies that terrorists are plotting a suicide attack at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi sometime before July 30. Consider avoiding the mission, which is at Shantipath, and nearby areas in the Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave. The bureau claims that about 20 seasoned Iranian, Afghan, and Kashmiri terrorists plan to storm the embassy. The men have reportedly been in Delhi since June. Authorities have identified the group's leader as Jawad Shah Shanas. Unconfirmed intelligence claims that the Iranian cell members might be members of the Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MeK), which the U.S. government branded a foreign terrorist organization in 1997. MeK involvement is doubtful for a number of reasons, however. Other dubious details and the timing of the announcement raise speculation that leaked information about the plot might be an attempt to manipulate U.S. foreign policy, although terrorists have targeted the embassy in the past, so an outright dismissal of the threat is imprudent. Authorities have been dealing with repeated bomb hoaxes in the Indian capital. On July 24, police responded to at least five terror threats targeting the India Gate, Red Fort and Income Tax Office building in Central Delhi. Since the July 11 Mumbai train bombings, similar hoaxes have targeted the Akshardham Temple, PVR Plaza, Satyam multiplex, Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi.More threats against commercial, diplomatic, government, religious, and historical sites are likely ahead of Independence Day, Aug. 15

Helen: well I’ll be in Chicago August 15th, so Mum no need to worry.