TGIF!

Well, yesterday was so much fun! Unfortunately, one of my friends got sick, so it was just the two of us that went shopping to Delli Haat. We were able to talk one of our pals from India into meeting us there to assist us in getting the best deals! Delli Haat is an open market that has folks from all over the country selling their regional wares. Of course, there were many pashmina vendors - if I ever look at another pashmina, I don't know what I'll do. We were able to procure some lovely items that we hadn't seen before. I was able to find a hand bound photo album
with a leather cover and a necklace with matching earrings. I would absolutely go back to DH!!

After shopping, our friend took us to a place called the Defense Colony for lunch. A little shopping area (I know you're surprised) that included an Indian restaurant. I don't recall what we ordered exactly, but it was tasty! We laughed and chatted the afternoon away making it a challenge to get back to the hotel to change and then off to work.

We were invited for dinner at a restaurant called Barbeque Nation by the leader of our group here in India along with the other managers we are working with. Honestly, I was still full from lunch and eating again was not appealing. In the tables, there was a cut out section that would eventually house a little charcoal container. Once they slipped the portable grill into the cavities in the table, the waiters filled the grates on top with all kinds of kabobs - vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Shortly after that there was a parade of waiters with more kabobs sliding different delicacies on my plate. I finally had to tell them to stop as there was no way I'd eat everything I had been served! Not to mention the kabobs that were grilling in front of me. Great! Now I have to work too spinning the kabobs so they won't burn. I thought our feast was over when they asked, "aren't you going to get food?" I looked at them with horror - if I'm not mistaken, didn't we just eat? Oh no, there's MORE! A buffet was next. At this point I decided that I'd take a little of a few items and call it a day... I'd hate to offend anyone. The group got up another two times to drive by the buffet. We returned back to work (after getting lost a couple of times) and resumed our training.

I'll admit now that my non-stop tour of India finally caught up with me. Today, I'm at the hotel resting. I'm not sure if something didn't agree with me or my body is just exhausted or both. Today, no shopping, but some much needed rest. What's been funny is that the hotel staff isn't quite sure what to do - we're never in our rooms during the day, so today we've caused a stir.

Our trip to Amritsar this weekend to see The Golden Temple is out of the question. We waited too long to get tickets either by train or plane. As it turns out, that's probably best anyway as none of us are really feeling up to par. It's better to stay close to the hotel. However, we're planning on doing this trip next weekend though! That should be great!

We're wrapping up provisional training for my team. Today, they'll have their final assessment. This is a multiple choice test used to check comprehension on what we've taught. Throughout the weeks, I've been administering mini assessments, however this is the one that's important. It's an open book test, so it shouldn't be too hard. If they don't pass it though, it could ruin their careers at our company. This is an interesting concept to me. I'm more concerned with performance with customers rather than an open book test. Just a little insight into the differences in culture. Quite frankly, I'm more excited about next week as this is where we'll put everyone to the test! I'll be hosting call ins for my team featuring subject matter experts from the US on provisions. This is the true test! I've been trying to tell them how important this is - I hope they've been listening.

Well, cross your fingers that this little ailment goes as quickly as it came! Until tomorrow...