2012_02_25-26

On Friday afternoon we headed to Fort Kochi in Kerala for the weekend. This is approx 200 km SE of Coimbatore, however it took +5 hours to get there due to road works.
The drive was interesting as always - a mix between fear and amusement. If you can imagine that the bus window is a large video screen and you are playing a video game you can get the picture!


On Saturday we explored the Fort area and some shops.  The area is a 'rabbit warren' of lanes and walk ways - it is a maze!

This was a 'pimped' auto :)

Saturday afternoon and evening was spent in Alappuzha. This place is referred to as the Venice of the East. We cruised the backwaters and had a wonderful time (many special moments to remember).

Sunday morning was spent reconnecting to my spiritual side by doing Yoga.  This was an awesome experience which was highlighted by the fact that it was outside beneath a huge mango tree.




Spiritually refreshed and re-energised we went to Cherai Beach for some sun and surf (well maybe not too much surf - maybe waves).

The 'India 15 Team'

By mid afternoon we climbed into the magic bus and headed home to Coimbatore.
The weekend was full of activities and good memories.

#ibmcsc #india 15

Week 2: 2012_02_20-24

Week 2: 2012_02_20-24

The India@75 project is moving along. This week was assigned to data analysis and initial solution design discussions. The week has been very busy with work and it is hard to believe that we have hit the half way point.

Even during all the work we can still manage a few minutes to have a coffee break (just like being @ Southgate)

Bernd & Valery enjoying a coffee

My thoughts for the week......

India is a very hard place to describe. You really need to see it to appreciate it. It could easily be a 'love it' or 'hate it' place for some.  It would be very easy to focus on the poverty, lack of order & general condition of housing.  But when you look thru this, what you see is color, smiles & genuine warmth from the people.  It is a beautiful & spiritual land that is truly fascinating.

Our CSC team is great!  There is a good mix of people and we have all bonded. There is a great sense of camaraderie & affection.  It is hard to believe that 2 weeks ago we have only spoken via phone & email. We were strangers. Now we are a close knit team that feels more like a family than a team. :)

Dogs.
There appears to be one type of dog in the Coimbatore area.  The color varies but the shape and size is pretty standard.  This is obviously the 'perfect pooch'. They are usually skinny looking things that need a good feed.  The dogs (and pedestrians) are street smart!  The clumsy ones would not last.

 
#ibmcsc #india 15

Day 9: 2012_02_19

The 'Crew'

Today we headed to the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary.
The professor had arranged the mini bus so the entire team could travel.
The old saying "it is not the destination that is important, but the journey" always comes to mind whilst traveling around India.  The sights along the way are just as interesting.  Especially the driving (not for the faint hearted).  I found myself pushing the imaginary brake many times.


Along the way we stopped for chai and a leg stretch.

Sandra giving Joao a back massage

 

     

The Team - Western Gats in the back ground.

There are always some tourists who just don't read signs :)

One of the 'highlights' was the drive to see the last naturally grown teak tree. Apparently it is over 400 years old.
Picture this:

• 14 people in a bus driving 1 hour down a dirt road.
• No air con.
• The cries of "are we there yet!"
• The growing expectations to see 'the' tree (we pictured the Avatar Mayan Tree of Life).

 And then finally.........

                                             

#ibmcsc #india 15

Day 7 & 8: 2012_02_17 & 18

Another couple of busy days with client interviews and site visits. The hospitality and warmth of the people we are meeting is wonderful.  We have been invited back to their homes for chai and cake.
Friday was a verrrrry long day (0830 to 2100).  We even had to work on Saturday morning to complete the final interviews.  Not OT or TOIL on this assignment :)
We did manage to have a coconut drinking competition (why? because we could!).
The finish was Germany, France & Australia.  Those Germans know how to slam down a fresh coconut.

Anukampa

Bernd, Valery & Andrew @ Surthi Enclave RWA

Saturday arvo was spent doing a bit of shopping and then chilling by the pool.
That evening we treated ourselves to a more up market restaurant - The Residency @ Coimbatore.
I got to eat 'steak' - first non veg for one week :)

The Professor giving us a sari lesson

Valery & Bernd in an 'auto'

 

Celebrating a big first week

 #ibmcsc #india 15
 

Day 6 - 2012_02_16

We were off to an early start today with a 0630 pickup.  The first client interview occurred at Singanallar Lake with Save Coimbatore Wetlands group.
The group formed to save the wetlands from urbanisation and pollution. We went for a walk to view the issues prior to conducting the interview.

 Further project details are available on website :

The next stop was to visit the Sparrow Conservation group.  They have set up nesting boxes in residents homes to encourage breading and restore sparrow numbers in the area.



The final interview for the day was with the Secretary for the G.V. Residency RWA. They have established a community garden using indigenous plant life to attact the local bird and animal species.

The Residential Welfare Associations (RWA's) operate in place of local council. An RWA is usually responsible for 100-200 households.  It is a very different concept to what we are used too in Australia.


And at the end of a long day, what better way to relax than with a fresh coconut to drink :)

#ibmcsc #india 15

Day 5 - 2012_02_15

We have had a full on couple of days working onsite at our client 'India@75'.  They are the most wonderful host and extremely helpful. Yesterday was spent reviewing and discussing the vision and project requirements as well as a large meeting with multiple stakeholders.

Our specific project involves creating architecture & high level technical design of a technology system that will allow for the delivery and gathering of information with the objective of collecting and aggregating the green efforts of Roshini Projects in Coimbatore. The system will enable project participants to share project information and communicate with each other and with India@75, with the objective of helping India@75 to track the progress of Roshini Project by generating, compiling and collecting data and producing reports.

Today was spent building end user questionnaires and requirements documents in preparation for the next 3 days of field visits to meet the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) who have implemented a number of green initiatives in Coimbatore.  Tomorrow is a big day (0630 - 1800).

The team consists of:

Bernd Finger, Andrew Maynard & Valery Debeer

Once again we all go out to dinner as a team. We have found a local restaurant which servers excellent veg food.  I am sure that I will be going home heavier (which surprised me)!

Tonight whilst sitting at the table I stopped to listen and observe. At our table we had 11 different nationalities sitting together, talk, eating, laughing and having a fabulous time in India. That was one of the coolest moments and a reality check. 14 people who had not met each other 5 days prior were now part of the one family. It doesn't get too much better :)

Photo's on the way to the office.

The team @ dinner.

Sandra

Timi, Sandra & Grazey

Timi, Andrew & Grazey

JeongRan & Joe

Kabi & Barbara

Bernd, Grazey, Timi, Sandra, Valery & Aya

Allison, Joao & JeongRan

Joao, Sandra & Govert

Joe - just after his winning bet came in :)

#ibmcsc #india 15