Hi Loved Ones,
I've arrived safe, sound, happy & healthy in Calcutta for the last 2 days of my trip -- and I'm really sorry I've been so inconsistent with my blogging. Not only have I been busy, but since I've had fellow travelers for the whole trip, I am finding myself in my room a lot less than the last trip -- thus less time to do my blogging.
Mumbai was great -- it was like 2 completely different trips in one with the frenzy of the last 2 days of the Governor's Mission, and then the total change of pace over the weekend and the first 2 days of this week which have been much more manageable because I could set my own schedule.
A few highlights from Mumbai before I hit the hay --
My seminar on Friday was a big success -- great turnout and lots of good feedback from the attendees. It as a huge first experiment to incorporate the regional groups, along with Virginia Port Authority and the VEDP to present the case for expansion in Virginia -- and while I"m really pleased, it will be most interesting to hear what the regional folks say...
On Saturday, Steve Jast (my consultant based in Montreal) and I went on an adventure to the Elephanta Island caves. We took a 45 minute boat ride from the Gateway to India (right out the front door of the hotel) to the island, and we met a guide there to take us up to the caves which are full of 1600 year old carvings of the Hindu god Shiva. IT was really hot, but very fun.
On Sunday, I took a yoga and meditation class at the wonderful Taj Spa.... and loved it! Then, on Sunday night my friends (related to my wonderful "family" in Delhi and Chandigarh) invited me to their home and to dinner -- so I took Steve with me and we had a wonderful time, seeing Mumbai by night, enjoying their lovely home, and then off to a Chinese dinner!
On Monday, I had a pretty full day of meetings that had been set for me by Steve's team in Montreal -- the good news is that they all showed up as planned, and they had all attended the seminar, so I knew they were really interested.
Today, the one remaining trade mission delegate, Terry Cunningham, joined me for a half day tour of mumbai with the India-based employees of another of the trade mission companies. Rohit took us on a fantastic tour of many of Mumbai's highlights -- today was a holiday here (May Day, and also Maharashtra Day) so it was a great day to do some touring because there was very, very little traffic -- and it was essentially impossible to book any meetings due to the holiday, so I'm delighted to have had such a great guide to help us make the most of our time.
The flight to Calcutta was easy and uneventful, and I've been welcomed very, very warmly to the hotel -- starting with having my driver from last time meet us at the airport, and followed by upgraded rooms, and even fresh cut mango to accompany my complimentary bottle of champagne!
I've posted a few fun photos -- me with the monkeys at Elephanta Island, me with the cows in Mumbai this AM, and a casual conversation between 2 women on elephanta, a colorful portrait of a woman I saw today as she waited to enter Mumbai Devi temple today ....
I'll write more soon!
All the best,
Kim
