I met my first deadline today of creating three Three Year Plan for India Shared Services and allocating it to 3 business units. I have learned quite a bit already in these three weeks while accumulating all the numbers. Then I entered it into Hyperion. Now onto all the summary and bridge reports.

The monsoons started up again. It rained all night. They do not have the best drainage systems in the area. There are large pools of water in the low spots of the roads. The good news is the base temperature is now around 90, but the humidity is 95% so it still feels like it is over 100. When we walk outside, everyone’s glasses immediately fog up from the humidity. At least I no longer have to worry about that.

I have had no issues with my eyes since I have been here. I had lazik surgery in January and was suffering from dry eyes back in the US. Maybe drinking all the water has helped.

I am sure the mosquitos will be coming out soon. I stopped taking the malaria prescription as a result of the side affects, but will start it back up again.

I have upgraded to the 2 liter water bottle. It is heavy to carry around, but only 22 rupees or about 45 cents.

The biggest issue I have right now is the feeling of independence. In the US I can go anywhere at anytime I felt like it and not get worried about getting lost or possible safety issues. First I don’t know where anything is around here yet. Then when I ask I get three different sets of directions. I haven’t seen a street sign with a road name on it. I am sure I will get to that comfortable point here, but right now I do not feel that way. When I get home from work it is pitch black dark out already as it gets dark around 7:30. There are very few street lights. If I walk 5 feet outside the security gate at the apartment I feel like I am in one of the Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome type of movies. People are burning fires and cooking their meals on the road right outside their tent houses. There are no sidewalks so the cars drive by just missing you by inches at times. I think I am safe, but I really stick out walking around. I brought a flashlight, so I have a little light to look out for stray dogs, cow patties and the occasional cow sleeping on the side of the road.

Talking about the darkness, that is one of the biggest surprises when I flew in. With the population here, I was expecting to see miles and miles of lights from the buildings. However there were only a few spotted areas of lights. It was like flying into a place smaller than Minneapolis. I don’t know if it was as a result of a less populated area or what.

I am also surprised by the amount of garbage that is on the side of the roads. Some areas it is 3-4 feet high. It is mostly plastic items. Any food gets eaten by the cows and dogs roaming around. They do not have recycling over here. On my water bottles it says “Crush the bottle after use”.

Today I watched the sunset and the sun was a bright pink color. I have never seen the sun that color before. I will try to snap a picture of it one of these days.