Return to the sub-continent!

There hasn’t been a blog entry here for more than 5 years.  But I find myself back in India so it seemed appropriate to include a postscript (though if I get loads of nice comments I will post again later this week)

The visa application process was difficult as ever.  Not on the epic scale of 2006 where I was trapped (somewhat happily) in Ireland waiting for a visa that eventually the legal department decided I didn’t need that type of visa at all. 

But I had to find two weeks when I able to be without my passport (not as easy as it sounds and only possible because I flew to London with Aer Lingus rather than evil Ryanair)

Anyway after 4 invitation letters, one last-minute cancellation and 2 expired visas and over €400 in visa fees, I am finally back in India.  Again its for a work trip (no surprise to most of my readers).

I flew from Dublin to Chennai via Dubai.  When I heard that Emirates were adding a daily service from Dublin to Dubai I was surprised.  Surely along with Etihad’s 10 flights a week there cannot be enough to fill all those seats.  But Emirates know their business model.  There was not a free seat to been seen.  Alas for me (but good news for future public pension funds) the flight seemed to have a lot of babies two of whom formed a ghastly chorus of screams for the final 30 minutes as the flight descended.   

I had a few hours in Dubai airport, then I met up with a colleague (as planned) and boarded the final flight.  Again the flight was full and my carefully selected aisle seat had been surrendered to a family with a small children leaving me in a middle seat.  

After a surprisingly quick (for India) immigration procedure but still involving a lot of paper (of course!), we collected luggage, went through customs and within 45 minutes were in the company car that was waiting for us.  Now company car may conjure up images of white air-conditioned luxury vehicles with cold towels and chilled water (indeed this was so in my former life).  But this was an elderly jeep-shaped automobile with one broken door (possible to exit by, not possible to enter by).  There was limited air conditioning but there was no water!  For a 3-hour drive!  Also I had no rupees even if I could persuade the driver to stop and buy me some.  Here my hoarding came into its own and I was able to drag out the bottle of Evian bought at Dubai Duty Free. 

I am sure India has changed in my 5-year absence.  But the traffic hasn’t.  The most important piece of equipment in a Indian vehicle remains, without a shadow of a doubt, the horn.  In the west we use the horn to warn of impending danger and to show frustration towards an idiot driver (I’m sorry mistaken road user).  In India beeping your horn just says you are coming.  It may mean “I’m about to overtake you” I estimate I use my horn in Ireland twice  a year.  An average Indian driver must use his/hers at least 10 times a day.

As well as interesting driving, there were cows, entire families on motorbikes, fruit sellers and general chaos.

At noon we arrived at the office.  I had forgotten how many Indian men (and its nearly all men) wear moustaches.  We had general meet and greet.  Lunch was typical south Indian – simple, a bit spicy and very good. 

Its now 6.45  here.  Not very late.  But late when the previous night’s sleep was on a plane and I still have to prepare my own food tonight (seems there are no restaurants suitable for foreigners in Vellore)

 I’m staying at the company compound.  Reports are not promising  - electricity supply is not constant so the air conditioning doesn’t always work, there is no a/c in the kitchen.  But at least there will be a bed - where I can sleep!