My parents are doing a major trip around the world that started back in September, I believe. It's the trip of a lifetime. A few years ago during a visit they made to my house outside Chicago, my father was talking about doing a road trip to a few places in the states, but he wouldn't set a date. He was semi-retired, and I asked him why he was putting it off. He said that he didn't have the time with all the projects he was working on. I paused and said to him, "You know, you're not getting any younger. You keep thinking about it and putting it off... what if you or Mom get sick before you get the chance?"
he took it to heart, and every year after that, my mum and dad would make major road trips across the United States lasting three to four months a year, each night, plugging into the internet and managing their projects. They own their own architectural firm, so they relied upon my brothers to handle any personal interaction while on the road.
After my son and I moved to India in 2007, my mum decided to expand their horizon. My dad has always been an avid history buff and archeologist, and as a younger man, had explored Eurpoe and the Mayan ruins in Mexico and Central America. My mum decided to plan an itinerary that would take my father on a customized archeological tour to all the places in the world that were of interest to him. They started in Spain focusing on the Alahambra, then moved to Greece and the outer islands, then Egypt, up to Petra in Jordan, and they'll be arriving here in India in a couple of days, to visit Chandigarh. He's a huge Corbusier fan. After they leave here, they'll go on to visit Ankor Wat in Cambodia, then up to China... not sure what the rest of the itinerary is!
I am so glad to be able to show India to my family. They've never understood my profound connection to this place that has been my spiritual home for more than 30 years. :-)
My son and I will show them Chandigarh for two days, then go to Dharmsala and McLeodganj for four days, the return to Gurgaon, where we'll delve deeply into Delhi and its soul and history. Then we'll head to Agra, because, well, you just HAVE to see the Taj if you're coming to India... then back to Gurgaon to celebrate my son and my mother's birthday. They were born on the same day - December 8th. When he was born, her first grandchild, she said that, "he was the best birthday present she was ever given". :-)
I can't wait to see them again. It's been two years since we've seen them. This trip they're on has been amazing, based on the emails my mum has been sending. I'll post more info during our tours here in India. I am especially interested in Dharmsala, as I've never been there, the Taj and Chandigarh I visited 30 years ago - I'm interested in seeing how they've changed...
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Mona Lisa Smile
I never watch chick flicks. I hate them actually, but because my son was on the computer, and nothing else was on television, I watched the last half of the movie. I realized something about myself. It's weird. I've always walked my own path. Divorced my husband because he didn't want kids, and found someone who would have one with me. I traveled wherever and whenever I could. I read voraciously about other cultures, but essentially I've always been who I am. I'm a loud New Yorker who swears a lot and expects people to do their job. I'm a great boss and mentor to those who understand my way of working and the boss from Hell to those who don't. I'm the first person to show up when a friend needs a hand, but I'll also be the first friend to drop you if I no longer trust you or you have put your latest boyfriend before me.
My life is my own and who I am, I have no regrets on it. I'm strong because my parents pushed me to be my potential. They were first rate professionals in their own right and deserve the respect and admiration they've gained from their colleagues over the years. My dad, most importantly, showed me that politically correct is the wrong way to do anything - he's my idol and role model for my life and I will always respect him for what he taught me by example. His life wasn't always easy and neither has mine been, but we've built our own roads and the people who follow us know they'll get substance for their time. My son follows in my shoes and I so admire the young man he's becoming because he WILL make change in this world because of the background he's been dealt.
Thank you, my readers. I've had some significant changes in my life that I'm not ready to reveal, but someday soon... things will change for the better.
My life is my own and who I am, I have no regrets on it. I'm strong because my parents pushed me to be my potential. They were first rate professionals in their own right and deserve the respect and admiration they've gained from their colleagues over the years. My dad, most importantly, showed me that politically correct is the wrong way to do anything - he's my idol and role model for my life and I will always respect him for what he taught me by example. His life wasn't always easy and neither has mine been, but we've built our own roads and the people who follow us know they'll get substance for their time. My son follows in my shoes and I so admire the young man he's becoming because he WILL make change in this world because of the background he's been dealt.
Thank you, my readers. I've had some significant changes in my life that I'm not ready to reveal, but someday soon... things will change for the better.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Visa extensions (Otherwise Known as the Seventh Circle of Hell
This process can be unbelievably complicated or very, very simple. :-)
YOU NEED TO START THIS PROCESS 60 DAYS PRIOR TO VISA EXPIRATION.
In Delhi, you need to go to the Foreigner's Regional Registration Office downtown (Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners' Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi). Don't bother to print and fill out the forms you find on-line because they'll refuse them. Here's the link, just in case: http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/BOI_Forms/EXT_FORM.pdf
You will need the following items:
Bring four copies of everything (just in case. Sometimes it's only three, sometimes four). The officer will give you back everything he doesn't want.
Residency Permits
Rent Agreement
Employment Contracts
Letter from the Company requesting your extension (Note: there was a change this year. You will need to ensure that on this letter, it states that the company will repatriate you to your company of origin if the visa is denied.)
Passports (must have six months left on them.)
Copies of Existing Valid Visas
Four passport sized photos each
You must arrive before noon. When you arrive at the FRRO, you will show your passports and be directed to a little outbuilding to the right and get assigned a number which really doesn't matter. Then head back out and walk to the main building and head up the main staircase. On the 1st floor, right ahead of you, is the FRRO. walk through the doors and head left. There's usually a woman behind a small desk. Show her your papers. She'll tell you that you need a different form. Fill it out (twice, or thrice - or head back downstairs to pay the copierwalla for additional copies.) Bring all your papers back to the woman. When she's satisfied, she'll take them from you.
Find a seat over in the long thin section with desks to the extreme right. This is where the officers will sit. This section becomes seriously overcrowded once the officers finally come in (usually after 1:00) and everyone hovers waiting for their name to be called.
Once your name is called, sit down across from the officer and be as polite as possible. Answer all his questions as simply as possible. Do not offer any additional information. Once he's done, you can leave.
HOWEVER, you need to be back at 4:00 on the same day. Back in that office again, upstairs in the same building, waiting with the rest of the huge crowd. Now you're waiting on the decision. When they call your name, you will either be told that your request was denied, OR handed a sealed and stamped brown envelope which you need to take to the same place where you got your residency permits. Only they can open the envelope. In the envelope will be a declaration on how much time the extension is for. Most are between one year and 6 months.
Good luck!
YOU NEED TO START THIS PROCESS 60 DAYS PRIOR TO VISA EXPIRATION.
In Delhi, you need to go to the Foreigner's Regional Registration Office downtown (Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners' Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi). Don't bother to print and fill out the forms you find on-line because they'll refuse them. Here's the link, just in case: http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/BOI_Forms/EXT_FORM.pdf
You will need the following items:
Bring four copies of everything (just in case. Sometimes it's only three, sometimes four). The officer will give you back everything he doesn't want.
Residency Permits
Rent Agreement
Employment Contracts
Letter from the Company requesting your extension (Note: there was a change this year. You will need to ensure that on this letter, it states that the company will repatriate you to your company of origin if the visa is denied.)
Passports (must have six months left on them.)
Copies of Existing Valid Visas
Four passport sized photos each
You must arrive before noon. When you arrive at the FRRO, you will show your passports and be directed to a little outbuilding to the right and get assigned a number which really doesn't matter. Then head back out and walk to the main building and head up the main staircase. On the 1st floor, right ahead of you, is the FRRO. walk through the doors and head left. There's usually a woman behind a small desk. Show her your papers. She'll tell you that you need a different form. Fill it out (twice, or thrice - or head back downstairs to pay the copierwalla for additional copies.) Bring all your papers back to the woman. When she's satisfied, she'll take them from you.
Find a seat over in the long thin section with desks to the extreme right. This is where the officers will sit. This section becomes seriously overcrowded once the officers finally come in (usually after 1:00) and everyone hovers waiting for their name to be called.
Once your name is called, sit down across from the officer and be as polite as possible. Answer all his questions as simply as possible. Do not offer any additional information. Once he's done, you can leave.
HOWEVER, you need to be back at 4:00 on the same day. Back in that office again, upstairs in the same building, waiting with the rest of the huge crowd. Now you're waiting on the decision. When they call your name, you will either be told that your request was denied, OR handed a sealed and stamped brown envelope which you need to take to the same place where you got your residency permits. Only they can open the envelope. In the envelope will be a declaration on how much time the extension is for. Most are between one year and 6 months.
Good luck!
Monday, June 2, 2008
First Time Post
My name is Jeanne and I am an American working in Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta). I have been working at a dotcom here for nearly a year. I am in the process of leaving the company I work for and moving to Delhi. This is my story.
To read about my adventures picking up and moving from Chicago, Illinois, with a teenage son, rescued greyhound and siamese cat, click here: American in Calcutta.
To read about my adventures picking up and moving from Chicago, Illinois, with a teenage son, rescued greyhound and siamese cat, click here: American in Calcutta.
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