Ganesha Chaturthi

Yet another festival in India.  It only surprises me where there is a day without a festival in India.

I won't get into the religious details or significance, but this was the culmination of a 10 day celebration of the Hindu God Ganesha.  My friends (like many Hindus) made a temporary temple for Ganesha in their home.  On the last day, they perform a ritual in the home (all the neighbors were invited).  Then make the procession (on tractors) to the river with the idol, with ample stops for drumming/dancing/eating sweets/playing with colors (like in Holi), then release Ganesha into the river.

It was loads of fun!  I saw a couple of other westerners there, but I was the only one that came with a group of Indians.  It is better to participate than just observe, especially with such a fun group of friends like I have.

Back to RTO

As you know I got my permanent Indian license for car which was valid for 20 years.  They gave it to me based on my US drivers license (no driving test needed).  They actually weren't supposed to give me 20 year license, it was only supposed to be for the duration of my visa, until Dec 2011.

 

Today I just wanted to take bike test and add bike to the license.  But they realized the 20 year expiry error and took my license away.  Now i start fresh with learner's license only, and even after I take driving test, it will have to get renewed every year.  Sure this is no big deal if I leave in 2012, but if I stay longer...

 

I was better off having the car license for 20 years.  No cop would have noticed that I don't have the bike certification.  But I will have to go back to take the bike test in 1 month, then get a permanent license valid for only one month.  Ugh.

 

I meant to spend only 2 hours at the RTO, then go directly to work.  I ended up having to be there from open to close.  It was raining and I spent the whole day is soaking wet jeans (yes I illegally drove my bike to the RTO).

 

On another note, I met a nice family while spending the whole day at the RTO.  I stopped at their home on the way back for coffee and offerings to Ganesh (Hindu festival going on now).

 

There I met a guy whose job interested me very much.  He works in a call center, but not a legitimate one.  Everyone knows about internet scam schemes, well I met someone involved in this.  This guy's "company" has a website that americans think is a payday loan site.  Americans fill out form for loan, but get rejected, meanwhile their SSN and other personal/financial details have been collected.  Several months later, they get a call from a "debt collecter" saying that they owe money for payday loan, and they get threats of credit score cuts, seizure of assets, etc.  The american thinks that they have been a victim of ID theft.  They usually choose to pay off the small amount ($200-500) rather than take the case to court.

 

I was not surprised by this scheme, but rather surprised that a very kind person was working for such a company.  He has moral issues working at this job, but stays there because no other jobs are available.

 

I don't have a good lesson for this story.  Only to say that no one is 100% good, and sometimes we compromise our morals and justify our actions...

I love you, Nan

My grandmother (Nan) has fallen very ill.  It is very sad for me to be so far away.  Nan was very special to me growing up.  She made me appreciate fresh fruits and vegetables (growing as well as eating), and taught me discipline in doing my schoolwork.  She tried to teach me cooking, canning, and sewing, as she was a master - but I was a hopeless student.  I know I couldn't do anything if I was there with her now, but I would like to be there anyway.  At least to give support to my Mom...

On a lighter note, I have made a travel list with the help of my friends and coworkers.  I refuse to return to US until the list is complete.  I won't be able to see every single thing in each location, but better to see many places in this part of the world while I have the chance.  Once I'm back in US, I can't just hop to Jerusalem for a long weekend...  Here is the list.

India

Goa

Kerala

Jodhpur/Jaipur

Udaipur

Jaisalmer

Asia

Bangkok, Thailand

China

Nepal

Jerusalem, Israel

Cairo, Egypt

Singapore, Malaysia

Said goodbye to another coworker.  This time one of my favorite analytical chemists in my group.  Here are some pictures from the goodbye pizza party.  These are all guys in my group.  It was my first time meeting most of their wives.  It is too bad we had to wait until someone left the group before gathering socially with family.