christopher575: A model on The Price is Right showing that the contestant picked the right price, $575 (Default)
[personal profile] christopher575
It was silly of me to think I'd get here, get some sleep, and go about my business as usual. It should have been easier because I'm 12.5 hours ahead of Seattle and normally work ~7:15-3:45, and am working 3pm-1am while I'm here. Just a few hours difference, right? WRONG.

I got to the apartment at about 10pm local time on Tuesday night after a solid 24 hours of traveling. Even though I was completely exhausted, I was only able to sleep about 3 or 4 hours, and left for the office at 11:15am. My plan was to just tour the place (it's huge!) and make sure my laptop worked (it didn't!) but word spread that I was around. The team lead I am working with was called in early, and we spent a couple of hours talking about the job before the people I'll be training arrived.

Wait, what?

It turns out they'd actually already been working for several days on the basics of the job and were very eager to get started. We weren't supposed to start class until Thursday, but more and more of them kept showing up, introducing themselves, and looking at me with an expression that said, "I'm so bored, please save me!"

Right about the time they all gathered in the room was when I really began to feel as though I'd vomit if I wasn't asleep within a few minutes. I had a driver take me (on the scariest ride) home (ever!) and collapsed from about 5pm to 10pm. Then I figured if I stayed awake until 3am, I'd be able to sleep until 11 or noon and would be fine. Stupid sun. I woke up at about 7, fell back asleep at 10 or so, and slept pretty well until 2, at which point I had to make myself some food and get ready in a hurry so my driver could pick me up at 3.

I made it through my first day of class yesterday pretty well, only getting really tired for the last 40 minutes or so. I just now slept from 3am to 10am, solid as a rock. I would have liked to sleep a little longer, but it's not essential because I'm leaving work 2 or 3 hours early tonight; we're visiting the Taj Mahal tomorrow, leaving at 6am, and everyone insisted it would be ok if I left to get to bed early.

When I was on my way here I figured I'd be wandering around each day a bit before class, looking for food and places to shop, taking pictures and enjoying the day before work. The area where I am isn't really conducive to that, though. It's mostly one gated compound after another. There are dudes on the side of the road selling things, but I haven't been able to tell from the car what any of it is. I do see the acronym STD a lot, but I've got plenty, thanks.

I'm told there is an amazing mall nearby, but everything that doesn't look residential looks like an office, so I haven't figured out which one the mall might be. Microsoft has an office just down the road, though.

I'm sure I'll fill my camera up completely tomorrow, so expect a good photo dump sometime during the weekend. Sunday is completely free right now, so maybe I'll finally wander around right about then.

The best thing I've seen so far is pairs of male friends, walking down the road holding hands and hugging, blissfully unaware that if they were in the states, they'd get beat up for it. 

Date: 2007-10-19 05:56 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] christopher575.livejournal.com
I think so? I slept from about 3a to 10a without too much waking up just now.

Date: 2007-10-19 05:58 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] christopher575.livejournal.com
No, everyone here speaks pretty good English. It's the important business language here. Even when I've flipped through the channels, most of the stuff I saw was in English or subtitled.

Date: 2007-10-19 06:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] christopher575.livejournal.com
I want to go to Viet Nam and see how much french influence there is. I do enjoy their influence on the cuisine.

Date: 2007-10-19 06:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bendawg.livejournal.com
Hope you adjust okay. Glad you are trying to experience the country.

Date: 2007-10-19 06:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mcfnord.livejournal.com
my brother [livejournal.com profile] metalmensch just arrived in india for microsoft. perhaps that's his office.

Date: 2007-10-19 07:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] synx.livejournal.com
word.

here's a pro-tip from a fierce sleeper-inner (axe julie)... EYE SHADE! It allows you to sleep in well past ANY sun-rise, no matter how beautiful or inspiring.

gl there! don't drink the water!

Date: 2007-10-19 02:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] p0lep0under.livejournal.com
Have you found any Indian cock? I understand it is salty but tasty!

Date: 2007-10-19 04:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] christopher575.livejournal.com
The last time we heard from you, you said I wasn't much to look at and would turn any gay man straight. Why are you popping in to ask if I can get any cock?

Date: 2007-10-19 06:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] badrobot68.livejournal.com
You are totally missing out on OMG SEATTLE WIND STORM 2007!!!!`

Date: 2007-10-20 02:20 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] devildork.livejournal.com
you need to load up on bollywood CDS, then let me burn them when you get back......

Date: 2007-10-20 01:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dieszy.livejournal.com
Mais oui, le viet nam c'est beaux (using LJ in french, couldn't resist). Anyway, with big time differences diet changes always helped me. When you need to be awake, avoid starch (e.g. dahl and rice) in favor of meat, eggs and vegetables, eating often and lightly. When you need to sleep, eat a big meal of carbohydrates (e.g. bread, carrots, peas, pasta). Also blocking out the light completely when you want to sleep will help, even if it never bothered you before. Hope this helps.

Date: 2007-10-20 05:13 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jameth.livejournal.com
serious. bollywood. get it
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