Welcome to India

Well, technically this post is about 22 hours late, since we arrived last night (local time). Spent the day at the office filling out paperwork (yawn). Could probably do a whole blog post on filling out the application for a bank account... and signatures. The Indians are REALLY into their paperwork. One guy we met today says he blames that on their British heritage... take that for what you will. So here is the main thing that I want to get across to you all... the driving (or in our case -- riding in the back while someone else drives) is nearly indescribable. Anarchy doesn't begin to describe it... anarchy is too organized for what this is. This is more like anarchy wrapped in chaos with a heaping scoop of insane on top. Seriously, I will NEVER think of driving the same way again... Tomorrow is house hunting, maybe we can get some pictures posted.

Go.

I got word yesterday that the 30% chance officially turned in to 100%. Our visas came in and Mel and I are officially going to India on Saturday for a week. Just 193 more little details between now and then and we'll be off. Most critical item on the agenda next week will be finding a place to live. I have heard some real horror stories about the search/process (but all end happily, thankfully).

Ready. Set.

So yesterday was my first official contact from the folks who handle the "outbound" portion of the assignment. Whew! Lots and lots of information (my head is still spinning). Still trying to get to India on August 29, but that will depend entirely on the visa process. Should have a better idea in a couple of days.

Not Right Now, Right Now

So, I'm having this thought this morning, (as I'm realizing that I haven't updated this blog in over a month), that when you work for a Fortune 10 company, and they say that they want you to go to India, it's sort of like George Lopez says... they don't mean, right now, right now... maybe later, later... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wH5as6GP5w). Seriously, though the PROCESS TAKES TIME. So I have been enjoying the rest of the American summer with my family and just THINKING about India, but I have been assured that as of last Friday, things will start moving along now. Next up on the list -- "pre-assignment trip". Should be interesting as we are trying to get it scheduled for the week of August 31st. I give it about a 30% chance and I'm the optimist!