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Rick and I are in the office and associates are scurrying around, working hard and leveraging each other's strengths. We had breakfast at the resort, our usual - Saffron Pancakes with carmelized bananas and crispy bacon, me with a pot of coffee and Rick with his pot of tea. We sat next to Rebecca and learned that her 'real' job is architecture!!! We had an uneventful ride into work and are completely ready to come home. For those of you who may be interested we depart from India @ 12:15 a.m. IST - Friday morning; and fly a 14 hour flight to Chicago - have a four hour layover and customs stuff to do and should arrive in Jacksonville around 1:30 p.m. Friday afternoon barring no delays. I have had difficulty wrapping my mind around the 14 hour flight, 9.5 hour difference, plus the one hour difference between Chicago and Jax.
Rick and I read in the paper today, that the international airport has experience flight arrivals and departures delays due to critters (big lizards 'Komoto dragons'- seen by pilots, now that's scary, monkeys, jackals, dogs littered the runway as the Monsoon season has hit. Yes we have experienced it all!!!!!!
We are both excited about returning home!!!!! See ya'll in a few days!
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On Saturday morning, Rick and I met in the lobby for our getaway to see the #1 Wonder of the World - Taj Mahal. There was a little delay in Vineet and Sugit arriving at the resort, as they'd taken a few wrong turns, they arrived and we had breakfast. By 10 a.m. we were off! It took us about three hours to reach Agra, and the weather was very warm. When we arrived, we decided to eat lunch first. Met by Hasan's cousin, we were escorted into the most amazing five star hotel. We were greeted with wooden bracelets & bindi -The woman's mark is most often called a bindi. It can be worn as a decoration, by women of any religion, or as a Hindu religious observance. We got lots of picts for those back home. Peshawri - was the name of an exquisite Indian Authentic Cuisine restaurant. The servers allowed both Rick and I separately in the kitchen, I even got to help make the buttered naan - we captured this on video! We had Tandoori Chicken, naan, and dal.
After a filling lunch we were on our way to the Taj. When we arrived, we had to park a distance away. As we pulled in the parking lot, both Rick and I sighted a camel with carriage. We asked if that could be our mode of transportation (our options being, horse & buggy, bicycle & buggy or battery operated shuttle or the camel) You got it! We not only were escorted to the gate of the Taj, and both rode the camel, but Rick rode camelback right up to the entrance!!!!!
We had two very nice tour guides while inside, and spent the better part of two hours amazed by the elaborate marble structure. It's interesting that it took 22,000 men, 22 years 24 hours a day to build it and it was built with such precision and symmetry!
After we left the Taj, we rode on onbe of their battery operated jobees. And you guessed it! More shopping! To all the girls back home, this place was a little to rich for my pocket book. However, while we were inside, they showed us how the marble was inlaid with the precious stones of jade, ruby, pearl and other fine jewels. Vineet captured this process for us on video. From this location we went into a more reasonable souvineer shop. By the time we were finished we were all exhausted - Rick slept the entire way home. We were hosted by the most gracious men - Vineet P Singh & Suchit Bhalla - we are most grateful for an amazing day!
Sunday was meant for rest and relaxation and I did just that! All day long! Ate and slept, and started watching Bride and Prejudice but fell asleep. I did get the chance to watch it from beginning to end before work this morning! If you haven't seen it, it's a must.
Miss you all and will see you Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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We have tried so many new foods! The best are paranthas, it is like a wrap filled with a potato filling; garlic naan, dal, uttapam, and tons of mocktails (beverages without the alcohol) - including a mixture of various different juices such as Pineapple, OJ, Mango, and grenadine.
Rick tried Gulab Jamun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We will tell you what it is when we return.
Love ya'll.
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YES, I am missing home. We are counting down the days until we return.
Our stay here has been most enjoyable, I am in photographer's heaven!!!! I take "snaps" daily in hopes of sharing my experiences with all of you. This weekend we are planning a venture to the Taj Mahal located in Agra. Both Rick and I are very much looking forward to our trip. We'll leave the resort @ 6 a.m. and drive to Sugit's house, who will then escort us to the Taj. We are hopeful to get in our elephant ride, as well as some market and emporium shopping.
Yesterday the storms came in and the roads were difficult to travel.
God is blessing us everyday and providing lots of opportunity for us to connect with the associates here in India.
Missing ya'll tons and will see you in 7 short days!!!!!! LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!
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I know it's been a bit since I've updated everyone. Our stay here in India has really been and enjoyable experience overall. Soft live is a term used within the company to indicate we've moved beyond the training/classroom enviornment to on the floor production of a portion of the loan volumes to acclimate them to the processes gradually.
Last night @ dinner, about 10:30 p.m. Rick and I were observing a model being filmed, appeared as if they were doing a photo shoot as well as a movie or commercial. This morning when we were at breakfast, Leslie Morrison approached me to be in the movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The producer of a new program in India is being shot, called India's Millionnaire Channel - highlighting places that the rich and famous can enjoy. Well of course I had to tell him that I needed to freshen up. We left the restaurant and were driven to our rooms, because neither my, nor Rick's keys are working and they have to get the enginneers out to correct the problem or move us from our rooms to new rooms. In any event, I spruced up and actually got ready for work, wearing my Salwar-Kamis & Dupatta. When I arrived back at the restaurant, Leslie greeted me with OH MY MS CELEBRITY! You look wonderful! The camera crew proceeded to get me ready for the interview and the model we saw last evening joined me as if to share a meal. I learned from her that she is from London, a young girl, who is traveling around the world to capture the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Leslie assured me that he would get this on film and get me the take (we may actually get the whole show). I felt like a movie star - the woman making sure the set was right, made sure my necklace was hanging correctly, moved my hair around and wired me for sound.
The last two days have been a little stressful healthwise, if you are reading, I'd just ask for your continued prayer. I believe I am in the center of His will, and that His protection is surrounding me. Well friends, family and fellow teammates, I must sign off for now.....time to get back to work. Love and miss you all! We are down to only 9 more days till we return home :o) - Rick said we are in the single digits now.
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