Upcoming Travel

We are planning a trip in May - still trying to decide where to go. I think it will be Disney-related (cruise or DisneyWorld).

Oak Island

I am not a picture-taking person so no pictures of Oak Island. I can take the camera and forget to take pictures. Oak Island is about 35 miles south of Wilmington. The Island runs east-west so you get to see a sun set over the ocean. I have now been there in June, August, October and January. All of them were great.

Beach travel

I have had the opportunity to go to Oak Island, NC, a couple of times this fall and winter. The last one being January 15-18. I really get my energy when I am walking on the beach. This is interesting since I was born in Nebraska.

Trip Planned

Well, a new trip is planned for May 2010 - Yellowstone. Not many details yet but more will be coming.

The gang is almost all here . . . 10 people missing

Travels this Year

In 2009 I haven't had a trip as exciting as the one to India. But we went to Nebraskas in April to celebrate my mother's 80th birthday. I enjoy getting a chance to see my 7 siblings, their spouses, by 21 nieces and nephews and the evergrowing number of great nieces and nephews

Two pictures from the Taj Mahal

In the September trip I went with two colleagues - Pete and Russ.

My favorite picture of me at the Taj

January Followup

It is hard to believe that a year ago I had never been to India and now I have had two trips. Both were wonderful experiences. If I had a chance I would go back again. Reflecting on my experiences after several months - the people were wonderful, the food was fanstastic, the country does have a wide disparity in income levels, and I still would not drive in the country (even being a passenger was hard). I finally scanned in some pictures of me at the Taj Mahal which I am posting

Friday - Bangalore

Today was another great day in Bangalore. It is hard to believe this was our last day. My next post will probably be from the USA. Our plane leaves Bangalore at 6:15 pm tomorrow and arrives in Asheville on @ noon on Sunday. However, we gain 9.5 hours so our travel time will be 28 hours +++. The journey is Bangalore – Mumbai (Bombay) – Newark – Asheville. So if you see me Monday excuse my tiredness.
Today we had meetings at IAA followed by their Fresher’s Day Celebration. This is held close to the beginning of the semester and greets new students as well as providing entertainment. Russ, Pete and I were included in the ceremonies including lighting the lantern at the opening of the ceremony and presenting gifts to students.
The program lasted about 3 hours and included skits, welcome talks, awarding of certificates, dances, and the selection of Mr. and Ms. Fresher 2008 (Fresher is the equivalent of our term for Freshman).
The day included a lot of dancing, humor and talks. I have included some pictures. I also received flowers – now I have about 4 dozen flowers in my office. I LOVE it.
After the ceremony we had lunch. Then Russ headed for the airport and Pete and I went back to the hotel. We went out and about a bit tonight. Tomorrow we are meeting with Dr. Raja in the morning and he will take us to the airport to begin our trip home.

More pictures - Friday

Traffic is still the most intriguing thing for me. It is SO heavy - but manages to flow

Pictures from Friday

Bharatanatyam dance
Bhatan dance
Flowers I was given at Fresher's ceremony.
Kathak dance
Russ Yelton (from AB Tech) presenting a certificate to student who participated in the Aua Solix Water study project wiht students from WCU. AB Tech and Mexico.

Thursday in Bangalore

Today was another great day in India. We were in Bangalore for our second day. In the morning we went to the Indo Asian Academy (IAA) for meetings. Pete Kennedy and I addressed two groups of students today. One was upper level (2nd and 3rd year college students) and one group was first year (11th and 12th year students). They were very attentive. It was a little strange when all the students stood when we walked in the room. I could get used of that!! After the presentations Pete showed students how the GPS device worked. It was a big hit. Students loved the hands on interaction.
After the presentations we had lunch with various IAA personnel. The lunch included India food. It was great – but I love Indian food. I have included a picture of the food. After lunch we had a meeting with the faculty of the IAA.
After the meeting we went back to the hotel at 4 pm. The hotel is close to the shopping area so we had a chance to do a little shopping (OK, maybe a lot) and ride a rickshaw. That was an experience. At one point we were talking to passengers on a motorcycle traveling next to us at about 25 mph. Pete took a video of the ride and plans on posting it on youtube. When I have the URL I will let you know.
We went out to dinner with the Chair of IAA, his wife, daughter, son-in-law, niece and the equivalent of our VP of Academic Services for dinner. I am not accustomed to eating at 8 pm but that is early in India. Our restaurant was amazing (but all of us neglected to bring a camera). Dinner was served “family style” and when they brought dishes we were eating and enjoying. I didn’t realize cottage cheese came in “chunks” that could be cooked in a variety of ways. Well, we ate and thought we were finished and were told it was the first course of a 4 course meal. The food is fabulous but needless to say I was stuffed by the time we finished all courses.
One of the instructors at IAA asked Pete is a car and driver was included in our contract. For many instructors that is one of the perks. Housing is sometimes also provided. I could get very spoiled if I stay here much longer.
We got back to the hotel about 11 pm. I don’t think I am getting as much sleep as needed but figure I can catch up when I get back. Between meetings and wanting to see some of Bangalore there aren’t enough hours in the day!

More Pictures - Thursday in Bangalore

Students during a lunch break at the IAA. Note that they have taken off their jackets during lunch hour. Usually students where jackets that a color matched to their program of study.
Students listening to our presentations. If students are found to have a cell phone on them during class time (@ 9-4) it is taken away for the rest of the semester and they have to pay a fine.
We were headed back to the hotel at teh end of a school say and saw many students from different schools heading home. The uniforms vary.
Students are also picked up by family members!

Pictures in Bangalore - Thursday

Me (Pam) presenting to 60+ students in the Indo Asian Academy
Pete showing students how the GPS works - the students loved GPS technology!!
Great food - again. I am sure I have gained alot of weight this trip. I don't remember the names of the food but I love it.
I rode a rickshaw! We had a few few hours Thursday afternoon and had a chance for a ride. It was awesome. Pete took some video - I will send you the youtube link when it is posted.

Pictures in Bangalore - Wednesday

A shot of the Bangalore skyline
Visiting the new buiding of the IndoAsian Academy

Wednesday in Bangalore

We arrived in Bangalore around 12 noon. So far all of our flights have been slightly late. We are staying at the Monarch Hotel which is right on the shopping strip of Bangalore. This means that after our meetings today we were able to do a little shopping. I like Bangalore for shopping the most so far - they have alot of woooden items (jewelry, figurines, etc.) which I really like. But first there was the work - in this case we were met at the airport by Dr. Raja of the IndoAsian Academy. This is the place I visited last year. After a stop at our hotel we went to the college to meet. There college is growing fast and we visited a new building that they are partially occupying while construction finishes. We will be meeting with them again until we leave on Saturday. Right now it is almost midnight here and time for bed so I will add more about Bangalore later.

Pictures from Kerala

View of Kerala from the highway
Part of the Technpark in Kerala
Pete, Russ and me with some of the hosts in Kerala
Sunset over the Arabian Sea

Tuesday - We must be in Kerala

Wow, Tuesday was very exciting. We flew to Trivandrum, Kerala, in the morning. We were met at the airport by our host and then went to the Technopark to visit with different personnel. It is a business park with @ 20,000 employees. The business park is beautiful because it is has "park" still in its vocabulary. By that I mean it has all kinds to trees. Kerala is in the extreme southern tip of India and after meetings we were taken to dinner at a hotel right on the Arabian Sea. It was almost too late for sunset but I got a picture. The dinner was a buffet with some great curry dishes. We got up early Wednesday morning to fly to Bangalore. Kerala is a vacation spot in India because of the ocean - I can understand that because I would definitely like to spend more time there.

Pictures from Mumbai

Sign in Mumbai that I couldn't resist
Mumbai scene

Monday in Mumbai (Bombay)

Our plane was late leaving Agra and we didn't arrive in Mumbai until 11:30 and our hotel at 12:30. And we had to be up at 7:30 to meet with CORE ECS. As a result it was a short night. But I am still loving it. Mumbai is huge - 18 million people. By contrast, 11 million in Dehli and 5.5 in Bangalore. We didn't get to see much of the city except by car. We met with CORE ECS who develops 3D Educational modules. We saw 3 of their locations - one they just moved into last week and one they are currently working on. I have visited their 3D Cube in Biloxi, MS, and it is great. Food is still wonderful - we had a buffet lunch and I had tandoor chicken for dinner. I am including a couple of pictures I took today. We leave tomorrow morning for Trivandrum (in the extreme south of of India).