Today my boss asked me if I would go to Delhi. A year ago, I would have jumped up and down and screamed yes. Today, I have different feelings. Business trips to Delhi are no longer appealing to me, even when I consider the company footing the bill for airfare.
My first business trip to Delhi was a fabulous experience. I work for a Fortune 500 company and they took care of EVERYTHING. I flew business class and once I arrived, there was a driver, Vijay, with a sign waiting for me. I got into his car and he gave me a cell phone. There were numbers already programmed into the cell phone and I was able to get in contact with my co-workers immediately. Vijay then whisked me away to my lodging - a corporate penthouse apartment. Once at the apartment, I was greeted by Gulam, my own personal cook. Seriously... could this get any better?!!?
I stayed in Delhi for 10 days and every day was an adventure. I woke up each morning to find breakfast waiting for me - usually Aloo Paratha, Yum! After breakfast, Vijay would take me to a new Delhi destination. First day was the Lotus Temple, second day was Dilli Haat, third day Qutub Minar - you get the picture. After seeing one or two sights, Vijay would take me back to my room so I could get ready for work. Working hours were 2pm to 10pm. When I arrived at my room, Gulam had lunch already prepared and also packed me a dinner for the office. Honestly, I wanted to live like that forever!
That was a year ago. Now my business trips to Delhi are not nearly as exciting. Yes, I still fly business class and Vijay meets me at the Delhi airport. Gulam still greets me at the apartment and tends to my every need. The problem is that I long to explore new places and things. My company keeps me under tight security and all the places and people I want to see are not on the "approved" list. I've visited everything on the approved list - and I want to see more. It seems such a waste. I'd love to tack on a few extra days to my business trip and go for a weekend in Jaipur or an overnight visit to Agra. Unfortunately, all of these are off limits and considered unsafe when I'm there on business.
So here I sit. I long to explore India. But on my own terms.
No more business trips to Delhi where I end up visiting every mall in Gurgaon and trolling facebook for old boyfriends with Gulam. Its time for me to explore India on my own. Hmmm.... I feel my spirits picking up already!
My first business trip to Delhi was a fabulous experience. I work for a Fortune 500 company and they took care of EVERYTHING. I flew business class and once I arrived, there was a driver, Vijay, with a sign waiting for me. I got into his car and he gave me a cell phone. There were numbers already programmed into the cell phone and I was able to get in contact with my co-workers immediately. Vijay then whisked me away to my lodging - a corporate penthouse apartment. Once at the apartment, I was greeted by Gulam, my own personal cook. Seriously... could this get any better?!!?
I stayed in Delhi for 10 days and every day was an adventure. I woke up each morning to find breakfast waiting for me - usually Aloo Paratha, Yum! After breakfast, Vijay would take me to a new Delhi destination. First day was the Lotus Temple, second day was Dilli Haat, third day Qutub Minar - you get the picture. After seeing one or two sights, Vijay would take me back to my room so I could get ready for work. Working hours were 2pm to 10pm. When I arrived at my room, Gulam had lunch already prepared and also packed me a dinner for the office. Honestly, I wanted to live like that forever!
That was a year ago. Now my business trips to Delhi are not nearly as exciting. Yes, I still fly business class and Vijay meets me at the Delhi airport. Gulam still greets me at the apartment and tends to my every need. The problem is that I long to explore new places and things. My company keeps me under tight security and all the places and people I want to see are not on the "approved" list. I've visited everything on the approved list - and I want to see more. It seems such a waste. I'd love to tack on a few extra days to my business trip and go for a weekend in Jaipur or an overnight visit to Agra. Unfortunately, all of these are off limits and considered unsafe when I'm there on business.
So here I sit. I long to explore India. But on my own terms.
No more business trips to Delhi where I end up visiting every mall in Gurgaon and trolling facebook for old boyfriends with Gulam. Its time for me to explore India on my own. Hmmm.... I feel my spirits picking up already!
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