Comfort level

To avoid keeping you in suspense about whether I got back, I'm writing
this in London's Heathrow airport having arrived from Bangalore a little
while ago, and waiting for the flight to Boston. If you see it posted,
it means I got back home because I'm not going to pay for the internet
access here. At first I did not think I could write...this is a typical
(actually even worse than typical) crowded, noisy terminal (this is
LHR's terminal 4 if anyone cares). However, I found something that is
really nice: it is called the "Quiet Seating Area". It is all the way
at one end of the terminal 4 departure lounge but is worth looking for
if you have a couple hours to wait. I'd say it has 70% of the
advantages of an airline premium lounge (based on very few experiences)
at infinitely better price, i.e. free. It is a series of 3 or 4
connected areas with comfortable chairs, and with NO LOUDSPEAKERS and no
crowds of people hurrying past. Some of the chairs are even lounge
chairs; it would not be unreasonable to take a nap. The 30% missing are
the attendents that personally remind you that your flight is coming
due, free internet access, free food, etc. And of course since entry
is not restricted there is the possibility that it could fill up. And
it is not quite as sparkling new/fresh/clean as some airline places are.
But for the main function of a quiet place to sit/sleep/work it is every
bit as good.

Let's see, back to Bangalore. I had not thought of this when I was
coming, but after the first almost 3 weeks (i.e. when Ellen showed up) I
was never again in Bangalore without someone that I know from Nashua
also in the city. Toward the end of Ellen's stay Doug and Verell from
HP arrived. Then on the same plane that Ellen left on, Chuck, our
friend from church in Nashua arrived. Then Verell went on tour for a
week, Lenny arrived and Doug left. And finally Lenny left and Verell
returned. Chuck and Verell are both leaving tomorrow, I think, on
different flights plus they don't know each other.

I mention this because I also want to discuss my comfort level and they
may relate. I don't know if I mentioned it earlier, but the first week
or so was really hard for me. I was in an apartment alone. I am not
much of a cook. I had a hard time even crossing the road, say nothing
of shopping for food. I just felt like cringing in the apartment all
the time I was not working. And all this topped off by getting sick.
But about the time I got sick I was also starting to feel more
comfortable. Ashlesha took me for a walk around the area (and taught me
to cross streets!) I got a local cell phone (also through Ashlesha who
got a SIM card from Pramod). I found the grocery store, etc. And
gradually over the next few weeks I got to the point of feeling
*completely* comfortable getting around and doing things. (Not saying I
did not miss home; just that I was able to function in the city
fearlessly.)

The crowning moment of my feeling comfortable was when I agreed to meet
Chuck, his friend Jayesh, and Doug at Doug's hotel (which is probably 3
or 4 km from my apt). I was determined to take an auto-rickshaw, aka
tuk-tuk. I'm sure I posted a picture of one of these things near the
start of the blog. I had been warned not to use these since they have a
reputation of fleecing people who appear unfamiliar with the area. I
prepared by researching the route (actually asked Stanley to drive it on
one of our last outings with him). Then I asked the security guard at
my building how much he thought it should be (20-30 rupees, that is less
than a dollar). Thus armed, I walked out and found a rickshaw waiting
and asked the price for the trip. Answer 50 rupees. A bit over a
dollar. Like I'm going to argue. I asked if it was on the meter. No,
we don't use the meter on Sunday night (r-i-i-g-h-t) but still, who
cares for a dollar. I got in, the guy took off, and we were there in no
time. It was really a lot of fun. Obviously I overpaid because the guy
was very anxious to know when I was coming back so he could meet me. A
week later, I also flagged down a tuk-tuk going by on the street. I was
really getting brave. This time I did not pre-negotiate the price and
at the end when I asked how much he said "whatever you think" or at
least that's how I interpret it. I gave him 30 rupees (it was 2Km and
is supposed to be Rs 7 per km, or something like that so I was pretty
sure that was ok). He seemed happy...

Anyway, I particularly noticed my comfort level when I was waiting in
the departure lounge in Bangalore earlier today. I talked to several
different people who had been here a week or so and all were just SO
relieved to be getting OUT OF THERE! If they felt anywhere close to the
way I did after my first week, I understand. But it really proves to be
the worth of this long trip (not even counting work-related things).

I should emphasize that my discomfort was entirely with my personal
life. At work, everyone was absolutely fabulous. People were so warm
and friendly that I felt comfortably working right from the first day
and it only got better as I met more people and I got a better ear for
their accent and perhaps that got a better ear for mine. When I was in
the hospital, I got a steady stream of visitors, plus during the whole
illness people checking with me by phone, bringing me food and supplies,
and just generally being helpful.

Bannaghatta National Park: