Journey to Bangalore...

16th November 2007 – the day I left Brunei to start a new chapter of my life in India. It was the most last minute things that I ever done in my life. I was still doing my packing and stuffing things that I can find on the floor which may be of use to me. When I finally reached the airport, I look totally exhausted after checking in 45kg of my luggages. Some of my good friends came and sent me off. Transiting via Singapore – all I did on flight is S-L-E-E-P.

In Singapore, I was delighted to catch up with some good old friends – MM who picked me up and FS my dear who met up with us. MM rented a beautiful room at Raffles the Plaza and the three of us slept in the King-sized bed – not for long before MM got whacked by me and slept on the floor instead. Haha… Poor MM.

Mark my team lead bought us YUMMIE seafood dinner at Seafood Centre. I am going to miss eating the Crab noodle soup, black pepper crab, bamboo clams and more. We also managed to tour Guniang Nai’s new condo and sat in his brand new car. Not forgetting meeting his new found love of his life – Wei Wei. hehehe…

Buddies in singapore - from left Mei Moi, Fuei Sing, ME, Team Lead Mark, Guniang Nai Min

17th November 2007 – the day I arrived Bangalore. It was a journey to remember sitting next to a chap that can’t stop snoring (really loud) in the 4.5hours flight. Thank God for the headphone and Little Mermaid cartoon that kept me “alive” throughout the flight. I was delighted when the pilot announced the early arrival. First thing I did is to call and make sure my ride is here. After a very long queue passed the immigration, I thought it will be over as my baggages had been tagged priority, thanks to my buddy in Brunei. Nonetheless, the nightmare has just started. There was a HUGE and I mean HUGE crowd surrounding the conveying belt, all waiting for their luggages. There was no way for me to even take a peep of my luggage. It was unbelievable – I was left speechless waiting for at least 30 minutes. When I finally got my luggages, I walked out, hearing lots of shouting asking if I need a taxi. I found a sign with my name, held up by a young chap in clean white uniform. Phew…! Stalin is his name and he made me feel safer. On our way to my apartment, we witnessed an accident right in the very front of us. A couple on a bike got ran over by an SUV. Literally ran over. The passenger of the bike was screaming and yelling with blood on her face while the driver of the bike just lied on the floor. Stalin asked for my permission to go out and help. 1 minute later he came back in as the accident scene has been surrounded by easily 20 people and he said we should go. I was still in the state of shock and asked him a zillion questions about help for the people.

18th November 2007 - The next day Stalin told me that he read on the paper that they are fine and being treated in the local hospital. He then explained to me that there is no point to call the ambulance as it takes too long to call and get help from. He also explained that the accident scene is usually too crowded with everyone trying to help but none will really send the victims to hospital as it involved the police. This, I could not understand. But I did not say much as it is in the past and I really did not do anything to help. Where has my courage and EFR skills gone to?

Stalin drove me to my first destination out – the Reliance Fresh Food Store. I bought myself 3 bottles of drinking water, some fruits and snacks. Then, we head out for my first meal. McDonald’s fillet o’fish meal with a Mexican chicken wrap that I bought to-go as my dinner. We become friends in just over the weekend, earning me an invitation to his house during x’mas, together with his wife and mother. He took me out for some tour around Bangalore – the Parliament House, Summer Palace, Lake. And I helped him to earn some quick bucks by just walking around souvenirs stores for about 10 minutes. He got paid $200 Indian Rupees for bringing guest to the store. We stopped over 4 stores. Before I went to bed, I felt the urgent need to check my emails and have some chats with my bummie. I walked to the cyber café across the street and spend 1.5 hrs there, feeling like an alien. Hehe…

19th November 2007 – First day of work, got woken up by an SMS from poor little bunny. I had a horrible night trying to sleep with the noise from traffics and the pedestrians outside my apartment (which is ‘strategically’ located behind a bus stop and also next to a flyover). I requested for a switch in my apartment, an ID pass so I can go around the office (else I need to get help to get in and out the office for toilet and pantry break), prepaid mobile line, internet connectivity in the office and in my apartment, and also a bank representative to open up an account.

20th to 23rd November 2007 – The next four days of work is pretty similar. Better each day though except for the 1hr ride to work and 2 hrs ride back from work. The traffic jam is killing me. Hence, I can’t wait to move to a new apartment! Nearer to office, no traffic noises honk all night long and no dogs fighting and barking early in the morning.

24th November 2007 – I moved to the new apartment! Wooohooo…! Couldn’t be happier. It was absolutely beautiful – 2 bedroom, a living room, a kitchen of my own! After moving in, I went for groceries to stock up the kitchen and made my own pasta for dinner. Nothing fancy…. But at least I am satisfied! Heheh… And, I bought a $200BND webcam to show the apartment to most of my buddies.

25th November 2007 – It was soooooo good to wake up seeing bright sunny sun than in the middle of the nite with cars honkings and dogs barking. hehe.. I made my own omellete for breakfast rather than some chocolate bar! Hehe.. I went for more groceries so that I don’t have to eat out on the weekdays and can just rest at home after work. Kumar, the new driver asked me to help him made some extra allowances by walking in and out souvenirs shops. He told me four shops but ended up asking me for one last shop. Sigh.. I went in and greeted by a salesperson who then came and said.. “I remember you! You came last week.” Damn… it was one of the shops that Stalin has taken me to. And, I did not buy anything and told him I will buy next time. Well, next time came too soon!!! I bought two wine glass made from Onyx. Cost me $1000rupees! It better keep the wine cool as he said. (Babe, when you come visit me, let’s try out some wine on those glasses.)

Ohh.. I forgot to give a comparison between the earlier Guest House that I stayed and the current one.

Here are some pictures of the guest house (room with toilet attached but sharing kitchen and living area), Accenture Office and The Bay (One of the many cafeteria that opens till 11pm!).

Entrance to the Guest House @ BTM Layout

My Room 101

Toilet @ Guest House Room 101 - Hmm.. I wonder why the toilet is designed this way... Any idea?

Accenture Bangalore Office Building 4 - Yeap there are many offices here. 6 in fact!

Our Team Room - 30+ in the team!

My workspace. You can see that I only drink mineral water! :P

My favourite Cafetaria. The Bay. They even have McDonalds! Wide selections of North and South Indian food, Chinese Food, Sub-way, Domino's Pizza, Baskin Robbins, Cafe Coffee Day (I finally found a place for my Latte!), Hog Dog (for Hot Dogs - with vegetarian hot dog!) and more.

For pictures of the new apartment that I am staying - visit http://transitstay.com/

I will show you more pictures once I took them :)


Till then... VANAKAM!