I always pick a window seat whenever possible when I travel. I like to look at the land pass below me, stare down and wonder what kind of lives the people down there lead.

The plane was flying overland to Mumbai from a stopover in Chennai when I peered down.
It was all so brown.

This was a little unnerving at first. As a Singaporean, I was used to green forests and stretches of trees. The brown bareness of the land below suggested to me that it was going to be very hot. I had no idea...

The temperature hits you like left hook to the jaw. I like to think myself accustomed to hot humid climates, since I myself live in the tropics. I will NEVER admit this to my mates but, Maaaan. Felt like wearing a sauna....

Arranged pick-up didn't happen, so I took a taxi to my host company's offices in Mumbai. Nice system they have there, you pay a fixed fare at the counter and the taxi takes you to your destination. None of that haggling and cheating business. Wonder if we can do this in Singapore?

Indian roads are dominated by small vehicles. Small four wheelers or three wheelers (I forget what they call 'em, they look like tuktuks). They have to be. I don't think larger vehicles can function properly here, and from the way they drive, an accident with a large vehicle could kill ALOT of people...and cows. Yes, all ye singaporeans, cows are used to draw carts and stalls.

On the back of all the three-wheelers and some four-wheelers is this "Please-horn-OK?" sign. Singaporeans eat your heart out! They actually invite you to horn at them! Indians definitely take the invitation seriously. I'm going to ask someone about this some time soon. So stay tuned.

Soliciting (I could say begging,but soliciting sound nicer doncha think?) is another feature in India which we don't get very much back in Singapore. Don't know what I think about this yet. Maybe more on this later.

Found the host company's offices,schmoozed my way up past the security. Regular little fortress, the Air India building. X-ray machines, metal-detectors, guards with aging kalashnikovs, the whole kit and caboodle.

Thankfully Maciej & Co were in.

I got taken to the hotel where all my mates were lodged. A regular mini-UN. Czechs, Canadians, Brazillians, Chileans. No people from the US though... figures. Four to a room with blessed air-conditioning. Then, like a true-blue-dyed-in-the-wool Singaporean I find it too cold and dry.

Had a nice long dinner with my people. Food was good. Company was excellent (I can practice my french now...yay!). Music was louder than an artillery barrage.

Noticed another thing about India. Cows are plentiful, more milk than they can use. They eat lots of yogurt. They get creative with milk products. They have a "Live" Culture in more ways than one. But they don't have CHEESE. Rats.

Post a pic of the dinner as soon as I can persuade awa to give me a copy.

'till next time...