Walk Down Memory Lane: India 1999

India 1999

TRAINING TO BE A TRAINER: A NEW CHALLENGE

India was my third international assignment for the company. It was the first time in the three-month program that, rather than being trainees, we would mentor new personnel for a start-up factory in Pune, India. 

This was a new challenge for our group, but we can reach our goal by working as a team. 

India memories - group photo

A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE:

There were no non-stop flights to India; our group, namely, Anne, Chai, Mel, and Joel, had a layover for a connecting flight. Air India's traveling from Manila to Hong Kong took two hours. It was the Chinese New Year when we arrived at the Hong Kong International Airport. 

The Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong to Mumbai, India, took 12 hours. It was the most exhausting flight we've ever had. Almost a whole day of travel by plane. 

India's time difference is two hours and 30 minutes, so we had to adjust our watches. 

We had a five-hour rest at the Hotel Transit of Mumbai Airport, before we were fetched by Sir Erwin for a five-hour journey by van from Mumbai to Pune. It took that long because of the heavy traffic and a flat tire. 

WELCOME DINNER:

We only had a night's rest, and the next day we had to immediately report for work. 

Because we arrived on a workday, our welcome dinner took place after ten days.

Our dinner was at The Chinese Way restaurant with the Japanese and Indian staff.

WORK SCHEDULE: 

We have a six-day work week (Monday through Saturday), eight hours daily. Sunday is our only day for rest and visiting the local tourist attractions. 

After work, we would go to MG Road to buy our necessities. The shops during that time were called Superstore, G-Mart, Options Gift Shop, Archie's, and Homeland Supermarket. 

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

From what I can recall, we visited these stone carvings on a mountain. According to the local residents, it is called Bhaja or Bhaje Caves at Bhaje Village in Khandala, India.

There are 230 steps uphill to the caves, and 22 stone-carved Buddhist Caves. Whew... Good thing that I was younger when we walked and climbed the steps. What a wonderful experience!

Bhaje Caves stone carvings

Bhaje Caves group photo

Bhaje Caves solo picture

BOARD AND LODGINGS, etc.:

Our batch stayed in a company-provided three-bedroom Guest House at Kalyani Nagar. We have our own cook and a houseboy.

We also enjoyed free transportation; a van picked us up from the Guest House and dropped us off at the factory. If there wasn't an available van, we could ride the shuttle bus like the rest of the Tata-Yazaki employees. 

The shuttle bus drivers are honking the horn while driving fast. It was like riding a roller coaster, never a dull moment.

MEMORIES ARE MEANT TO BE SHARED:

It is not the material things that matter, but all the memories we have experienced.

This is not being boastful or bragging that we have worked in another country.

Most importantly, we have touched others' lives and cherish past memories.