Chris Saul's Blog

Monday August 11, 2008

Mumbai trip

I thoroughly enjoyed last week's trip to Mumbai.

The flight over was surprisingly chaos free during boarding at both ends. Mumbai airport is currently midway through being renovated - when it's finished it'll be pretty decent. I was impressed - much brighter and more airy than many parts of Heathrow, for example.

I had a driver for the whole week, although I only used him about twice. I'm used to an airport pickup when taxis in the country I'm visiting are, erm, challenging, but I've never had a driver at my beck and call. Mr Baiju from Kerala did a sterling job ferrying me through the horrendous traffic. Getting from A to B is a challenge, to say the least.

The stark difference between rich and poor was something I was prepared for, but I was still a little shocked.

The customer we met was very switched on. They know what they want and made it clear what was expected from us. I know that we can deliver what they want and am looking forward to being part of the project, hopefully.

The Sun team I worked with were a good bunch. Most Sun offices look fairly similar - 'Sun purple' decor, light wooden coloured desks and pictures of Sun equipment on the walls. There's also a similar Sun culture wherever I've been, but each country has its own feel. I felt the atmosphere in this office to be pretty lively - not surprising considering the growth that this particular Sun region is seeing.

Living and working in the Gulf for six years means I've worked with Indian people on many occasions, both as close colleagues, customers and partners. I've also been a customer of Indian run businesses, staffed by Indians. It was fun finally to work with Indians in India, albeit only for a couple of days.

My hotel was excellent. Pleasant, attentive service, pleasant room, good internet connection.

The first night I ate in the hotel's 'Peshawar' restaurant, which was serving food from the Northern parts of India and Pakistan. Excellent, but I felt like a bit of a twit trying to eat my food with my hands, traditional style. The plate of sliced onions was particularly challenging. I wasn't really sure how to eat everything and couldn't manage just to use the one hand - my knife and fork using fingers aren't flexible enough to break off bread, dipping it in sauce and wrapping it in kebab. Two hands tucked in to my mutton kebabs. I think I caught the waiters chuckling at the mess I was making. Can't blame them.

The second evening was similar fare at a different restaurant, but in a more fine dining style with knife and fork. Once again the sliced onions proved difficult. Next time I need to summon up the courage to ask the waiter for guidance.

I'm not usually a buffet fan when travelling as I usually end up eating far too much, but the buffet restaurant was the only option if I didn't want spicy food. Much as I enjoy spicy food every now and then, two days of spicy pizza for lunch and spicy kebabs for dinner was spicy enough for me, so I headed over.

This particular buffet was excellent - I picked my food, had it freshly cooked for me, ate it, gave in to the waitress tempting me with more food, had it freshly cooked, ate it and ran out before I stuffed myself with even more. I had a first class steak with prawns and stir fired vegetables.

I don't usually write about food much here, so you can safely assume that the ITC Maratha was top notch...

I will post some photos later.

Rainy Lahore

Yesterday's unpleasantness was more than made up for by today's activities. Four of us whizzed round Lahore in a nice air-conditioned Honda, visiting various customers and making some good progress with various projects.

At one point the monsoon clouds opened and Lahore's streets turned even more chaotic than usual, with cars, bikes, donkeys, horses, dogs, cats, motorcycles and pedestrians dodging the puddles in various creative ways. Stopping off for a traditional Pakistani lunch, we had to dash into McDonald's, getting thoroughly soaked and muddy trousered in the process. This kind of thing is miserable on your own, but can be great fun when you're in a group.

Mild upset at the airport en route to Islamabad - my itinerary printout had me on the 2130 flight, but my booking was for the 2030 flight. At first I was told I'd have to buy a new ticket, but I followed my usual rule - if you don't like the first answer you get, ask again. I asked again and got transferred for free.

Hassle free transfer to the Serena, where I've been upgraded to a suite. This isn't the first time I've been upgraded at the Serena, but this will be the first time I spend more than 9 hours in the room, so I may be able to east at least a fifth of the fruitbasket by checkout time.

Still feeling a little odd, but a good sleep and three square meals, hopefully not of the McD's variety, should see me right.

My hotel last night was pretty disappointing, considering it was supposed to be one of Lahore's finest. I don't need special personal attention, but the combination of poor check-in prcedure, no water or any drinks of any kind in the enormous and noisy fridge freezer, rattly AC, uncomfy desk chair and bathroom held together with glue was all something of a let down, particularly given the steep roomrate. Even breakfast was a failure - no clean tables, noone to take a drinks order. The reception area didn't have any chairs, which meant I had to stand around when waiting for the partner team to pick me up. Not life-threatening stuff, but not what I'd expect for $200+. I did get to look at a beautifully restored 1928 Rolls Royce though, as used by various local dignataries over the years before a respectable retirement to the hotel lobby.

Another busy day tomorrow, then back Weds. I'm hoping Weds morning will be free, as I have a proposal to finish, but given this partner's ability to get me in front of customers and move projects along, I will be happy, as they say here, to kindly do the needful.

The joys of travel

Today's journey to Lahore must be the most miserable I've ever taken for Sun.

I had to fly via Abu Dhabi, as all the Dubai flights were booked. Not too much of a pain, but it did mean a one and a half hour cab ride instead of a twenty minute trip.

I'm not sure what was wrong with me, but I had to stop on the way to be sick on the side of the road. Not pleasant at the best of times, even less so in 45C heat with cars whizzing by. I was sick again when I got to the airport, but managed to make it to the toilets, thank goodness.

The flight was then delayed by nearly two hours, with no announcements or explanations. Getting on the bus proved to be a complex task for many of my fellow passengers. Two families thought it was a good idea to stand around the door and block the bus for the other 50 people trying to get on so we all had to squeeze by and clamber over luggage.

The three and a bit hours to Lahore were ok. Just the usual pushing and shoving, aisle blocking and sitting in the wrong seats, but eventually everyone managed to sit down. The bloke next to me had his phone on for the whole flight, apparently mystified as to why he couldn't get a signal.

Landing was the usual chaos, with everyone jumping out of their seats as we hurtled down the runway, being forced to sit back down by the crew, then jumping up again as soon as it looked like the plane had stopped at the gate. As with every flight, it hadn't actually stopped, so everyone was then falling around and bumping into eachother as we started moving again. I got a laptop bag in the face, which I didn't enjoy.

Long immigration queue, usual fight to get out of the airport as people block the exit whilst waiting for their friends and family, then an hour's wait to leave the airport in the hotel car, whilst we waited for a guest who never turned up.

Fortunately I wasn't sick again and didn't feel nauseous either. Not sure what was up with me - I think I was just dehydrated and hungry. I tend to be a bit of a hypochondriac in these situations, partly becuase I am lucky enough never to be ill, most of the time. When I am unwell it's a bit of a shock - I tend to start worrying, rather than just accepting I'm not 100% and getting on with things. This time I stayed pretty calm and just got on with things.

Anyway, the good news - I am now finally in my hotel, had a tasty sandwich, lots of (bottled) water and don't have to get up too early. The partner will pick me up at around 1030 and we have a busy day planned. Fingers crossed I'll be fine in the morning.

I do genuinely like coming to Pakistan. I like our partners there and the customers are always very switched on. I do wish that getting there was just a little bit easier...