Bangalore, India

After arriving in the Bangalore airport, there was a driver there to meet me. After surviving the trip to the flat where I am staying, I freshened up and started my day on the other side of the world. After being here for a bit more than a day, here are some of my thoughts…

1. Traffic and driving

In a word, it’s fucking insane. They have lines on the road, they simply choose not to pay any attention to them. Lots of bicycles, motorcycles and 4 wheeled taxis much smaller than the smallest american vehicle crowd the narrow streets along with small cars, large trucks and buses. They have a few different ways they communicate with other vehicles. The best I can make of it is 1 beep means “Watch out” or “OK”, 2 beeps means “Get the fuck out of my way”, and multiple short beeps means you are an asshole. Quite simple, actually..and the system actually works remarkably well.

One thing I can’t quite figure out, however…is they have motorcycle mounted traffic police everywhere. However, I have *NO* idea what constitutes a moving violation here. The traffic is one entire moving violation.

2. Weather
I only was able to spend a few hours in Bombay/Mumbai at the airport, but from the little time I spent there, the heat and humidity was stifling..and it was 3am in the morning. Bangalore, on the other hand, has wonderful weather. 80’s, sunny and low humidity.. every day… The monsoon’s start in April and run about 3 months. The rest of the year it is just like Southern Cali. I have to say, it is beautiful in Bangalore.

3. People
This is the one that probably shocked me the most. Yes, there is more poverty than I have ever seen. However, overall, the people here are the most friendly and accommodating I have ever been around. Mutual respect seems to be in force. I couldn’t help but think that the kind treatment and pleasant conversations I have had with random people on the street as I smoke, would not be duplicated in the United States if I were visiting from India. The openness and genuine diversity here is truly something that should be admired. There aren’t many 6′5″ redheads walking the streets of Bangalore and I gather my share of stares… But when those stares are met with a smile, a genuine smile is returned.

4. Food
So far, the food has been incredible. I am carefully avoiding uncooked veggies or raw fruit. It isn’t the water IN the fruit that is a concern, the the water they use to wash it. However, tea and coffee are fine to drink, as the process of heating the water conveniently kills off any bad bugs. While I’ve had my share of India food all over Indianapolis, the variety here is much greater than anything I’ve ever experienced. I had an Afghani dish last night at a 4 star restaurant, and it was very good. Breakfast consisted of a a crepe or pancake stuffed with potatoes. Some “sanbar” gravy and very sweet coffee with cream. Very filling. Arun, my friend and host, keeps some pepto bismo handy just in case, however so far it has not been required.

5. Poverty
The poverty is everywhere. It is a way of life, and the well to do and middle class, walk side by side with the poorest of the poor. Yesterday, while in the cab with 3 other people, a girl of maybe 5-6 years old comes up to my window…and points to her mouth, obviously begging for anything. No mother anywhere to be seen. It was heart-wrenching and you want to reach out. However, my hosts recommended against it…as it would encourage MANY more to approach the car.. It was different that a bum in downtown Indy asking for a hand out…and was one of the most difficult parts of my trip so far.

6. Workforce
Having worked all of my life in the U.S., one of the unchanging themes is that labor costs are always the bulk of any project. The exact opposite is true here. Time is worth a fraction of what it is in the U.S. People work long hours and are grateful for the work. The service is impeccable and usually timely. For example, my flat has two maids, a contingent of ’security” personnel, grounds keepers, etc. Probably 4-5X the amount of people you would see at a comparable business in the U.S. At the airport, computer terminal’s are rare.. But, 2, 3 sometimes 4 people behind a desk is common. Basically, it is less expensive to throw human resources at a task than technology. Very different.

Overall, I am enjoying myself immensely and can not wait to return. This is truly the “wild west” of technology, maybe 5-10 years behind the U.S. in many areas. However, the opportunity is truly limitless. The market here is 3 times the size of the United States, and over the next 10-15 years, India will undoubtedly be an economic and technology force.

I will be posting several pictures in the next day or so and will link it here.

More later!

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