First impressions

It was a roller coaster ride once I got out of the airport. We arrived right on time and I was second off the plane. We hoofed it about 5 kilometres to immigration, not unusual since it can be quite a trek depending on where one disembarks in Ottawa. I was told my boxes would arrive in oversize baggage so headed that way once my suitcase had been commandeered. To my surprise, cardboard boxes started cascading down the luggage carousel. I watched carefully for my 2 boxes which, as it turned out, were the only 2 of many that did not have rope binding them as well as tape. So be it, they made it.

I grabbed my boxes and headed towards the split ... one way goes to the green line (nothing to declare) and the other the red line (dutied objects in possession). I walked up to the attendee at the red line kiosk and asked if this is the red line. He asked me if I was instructed to come to the red line and I said "No". He motioned me into the airport. After all that, including Alain's trip to the bank followed by my trip to exchange $2000 USD into Canadian, no duty charged on iPads.

I head outside and traverse signs being held by drivers, amidst a sea of as many people as live in Ontario (so it seemed) and no "Michael Abbey" or "O'Brien". So I circle around again, cautiously asking uniformed personnel if I am allowed back into the area just outside the airport to look for my sign again. No sign. I ask where I get a taxi, and head down one level. As I embark from the elevator, I have to ask 3 separate people where one can grab a cab as, unlike most other airports I have frequented (a note of sarcasm maybe?), this airport has TERRIBLE SIGNAGE. I am accosted by a cabbie who offers to take me to the city for 1,050 Rs or about $20. Off we go and, a mere 40 minutes later, arrive at Katriya hotel.

There are three guys working the door, and one night clerk at the hotel. It takes me no less than 60 minutes to check in. I am the only client within a 3 mile radius so am not sure why it took so long. I was up in my room by 5:15am, and then experienced a common occurrence in 3rd world countries. However, I was prepared ... a power outage. I fumbled around my room and eventually opened my Mac Pro to provide enough light to ascertain the location of a flashlight. I started sawing logs about 20 minutes later, my trusty flashlight by my pillow.

The phone rang about 10:45 and it was the guys from the office. I told them we could meet in the lobby at 11:30. I dressed and headed off to the restaurant for eggs and toast then hooked up with Chandra and Raju. The excitement was intense as we headed upstairs to check out my duty free (a.k.a., 15 iPads). We ended up getting a porter to bring the boxes downstairs after Chandra went back to the office to get his car. I arrived at work about 12:15 and settled in. They could read my mind, knowing I was bubbling over with anticipation of meeting Aditya Allamraju on my team at work. He and I have spoken a few hundred times since he came onboard late winter.

I had mentioned to Chandra that I had forgot to pack any t-shirts so he promised to take me somewhere to get a few. He and I came back to the hotel about 2:15pm for lunch then headed out to a shopping centre to score some tops. Mission accomplished, we headed back to work. I did a lot of work over the afternoon, met with Chandra and Raju at 4:00pm to discuss the meetings we are having for the next 2 days, and left the office about 8:00pm.

I was determined not to stay in tonight so walked for about 20 minutes, ate, and came back here. The streets were busy but not as crowded as I had expected. The thoroughfares reminded me a lot of Addis; they were busy with a small checkerboard median, and sidewalks that had deteriorated and were broken into pieces in many places. The footing was not great, especially for me who was once described as "falls easily". I went into a few stores and especially enjoyed the grocery store. Half the wares were familiar western world paraphernalia, the other half an example of why I went in ... local ware.

Raju gave me an internet stick. Just like it is at home, the office manager (non-official title) is our best friend. Jennifer does it at home and Raju here. I can now avoid spending $4 an hour on internet without the possibility of a long term discount considering how long I will be here. I spoke to Giri, a guy I used to work with at Pythian and we had a lovely chat.