The second week

I have include some photos taken from the car

In Agra after visiting the tomb of Itmad we had to cross a narrow bridge. The traffic was banked up and we eventually saw why. There wasn't enough room for even our little car to get past and even the bikes and motor bikes took a while to get pastl, since there was oncoming traffic as well. We passed him once we cleared the bridge and then saw another bullock wagon about to go onto the bridge in the opposite direction. What happens if two meet in the middle is anybody's guess because they could not pass by each other, and I'm not sure how good they are at reversing.

On the side of the road to work is a little building with big ambitions and on the way home we have a slum.

Monday

After the weekend, today was rather pedestrian – Work, eat and sleep. I did try some of the a la carte fare at the restaurant and had a nice Western meal – Chicken Waldorf salad, roast lamb and apple strudel.

Tuesday

I put in some of their real data into the system today. Of course, since they haven’t actually developed any clusters, which are the basic entities where wells, tanks and turbines are located, the data didn’t fit into the data structure we are using and I had to fudge things up.

I did another presentation today to one of the higher ups. It seemed to go well, the program is getting closer to completion.

I went to the mall after work and have organised to have a suit made – an Indian style suite that is. This comprises of a shift type top, pants and a scarf. After looking at everything that was basically black, I decided on a georgette fabric with a sort of geometric red pattern. I found most of the other choices to be a bit flowery or otherwise ornate.

The maitre d was quite chatty tonight and insisted on giving me some free dessert and also sending a hot chocolate to my room afterwards.

Wednesday

After being awake before 6 I dropped off to sleep again and it was 8-20 before I woke up. After showering and breakfast, I went to check if my driver had arrived to find that he’d come at 8 and after and hour had left. I called the car desk and it was another hour before a driver arrived so it was a late start.

You may have noticed no mention of the gym these last few days. It seems to have gone by the by since the weekend. The last few days have also been quite wet and somewhat cooler although still around 30 degrees. Much easier to take anyway.

A plate of small shortbread was waiting in the room after work, some fruit and (I noticed later) some hot chocolate.

Thursday

I find out today that they can not measure the water % in the tanks, which they do in the UK field and which leads to the determination of separate net oil and water stock calculations. We can get around this by looking at gross volumes but it requires a slightly different algorithm and a few changes to most of the databases.

I pick up my suit on the way home – it seems to be rather nice.

Friday

Last day at the office so won’t have internet contact after this till I get home. The program modifications won’t be finished but hopefully the changes will be done and I’ll just have the reports to tidy up later.

I have most of the weekend to explore Delhi, before flying out Sunday night.

I expect I have put on some weight with all this dining at the hotel and the office. I'll have to run it off in Darwin. The rains have abated for a while, it seems, with maximum predicted for today of 34. It's starting to get humid again as well.