Last day in India

So, it is with mixed emotions as I say farewell to India for my second visit. I completely enjoyed working with the matte painting team and rest of company in Bangalore. It is such a nice feeling to interact in person with so many people that I've only seen on a video conference call, email or telephone. Nothing can replace actually being in the same room as someone. But as I write this I am so looking forward to seeing Tamiko, my girlfriend, after being away for two weeks. The time feels even longer when I think of when I've seen her last.
I had a great last day, the team took me out to Lunch, Philippe joined us which was such a nice bonus, and they gave me a very nice present for my visit and help. I will post a photo of it later. As I ponder some of my daily interactions while I pass the time before leaving to go to the airport, I'm amazed at how rich and diverse the experience has been. Something I am not used to and probably would never get used to is how pampered I feel in the Taj or at the office building. Everyone stops and says, "hello" and gives me their undivided attention. It can be quite the experience when just leaving the hotel I pass 8-10 hotel staff and all of them stop what they are doing to say a greeting and how is your day. Or like a few nights ago, while in the downstairs restaurant, one of the senior staff popped by my table and said, "I've noticed you have ordered this meal many times Mr. Bouffard. Would you like our Chef to prepare something special for you. I believe you have had everything on our menu." I was taken aback but at the same time it was how I was feeling. Then the Executive chef comes over to my table and gives me some options for what I would like. For the last four nights of my trip I ate like a king, or at least felt somewhat like one. After each of those meals the chef came over personally and asked if the food was to my liking. One made me laugh, by my answer. I said the meal was "very good" and he countered "Very good or Excellent, Mr. Bouffard? There is a big difference between the two." He said it with such pride, and I had to admit yes there is a big difference between the two. Excellent would be the best answer.

Friday--day of leisure

Well, I finished my first week of two in India. I didn't realize today was a holiday or may have decided to travel somewhere. It is a festival of the harvest today. It took my a couple days but as of Thursday I was fully acclimated to the time zone, of course the funny part after next week I will be doing it all over again when I'm back stateside.
Things are going well at work and I am interacting with team nicely. I am enjoying being on the floor with them instead of only cross-site. My week has been relatively boring at night since I felt tired early for most of it. I was walking back from work and Dagan must have seen me for he jumped out of his car to wave me over to see if I wanted to join him and his fiancee, Bree. I obviously had no plans and welcomed the company. We went to a nearby restaurant and were joined by the Animation Supe, John Hill. It was nice to hang out and talk shop.
Today has been very leisure. I woke up late, called in for room service, spoke to Tamiko on the phone, and have been relaxing finishing up book number two while I've been away. Now I will begin some work on comic and have lunch. It feels weird to be so removed everything. My week feels like I'm in a bubble. My life for most part is contained solely in the business park where my hotel and work resides.

India Part 2

Well I am back in India, for another work trip. It is a much shorter journey of only two weeks. I left LA this past Saturday. Tamiko dropped me off at the airport. It was a sad departure for us both since I had only gotten back from Christmas vacation visiting family in Boston only just less than a week. The flight out was different as I flew to Hong Kong for my layover. This stretch of trip was VERY long, roughly 15 hours. The seats and service were great but there is really only so long you can stay cooped up. I ended up watching 4 movies, read almost an entire book, ate twice, and slept here and there. I was looking forward to the Hong Kong airport to see how different it would be but sadly it didn't really feel all too different from any other airport. Everyone spoke English very well. The only fun part while waiting for connecting flight was all the food in the lounge was Chinese. The good part was the flight from there to Bangalore was short (less than 6 hours).
Arriving India was no problem and the driver that work sent was waiting for me right outside. The ride to hotel was roughly 1 hour and I was able to continue reading the final chapter of the mystery I began on trip out. Thanks Tamiko for such a great gift, the IPad made this flight and stay in India so much simplier this go around. I didn't have to carry any books or magazines and I carry it with me to breakfast and dinner. I finally got settled into hotel room at 5am Monday morning, and went into work at 10 am so I could properly adjust to time. It was great seeing everyone again in person along with new faces. What I felt last time I was here returned again in abundance, this feeling of being part of their team and a sincere happiness and gratitude of my being here. It's hard for me to explain but definitely makes me want to help as much as possible while I am here. So began my 2nd India trip.