Day 1 - Sleepless in Mysore

We finally landed in Bangalore and waited for everyone to get their luggage. Poor Harvey, the one bag he was forced to check at the gate in Chicago didn't arrive. It is in luggage purgatory. We loaded the bus to head out to Mysore. I was happy to see that it was a coach, rather than a school bus. While we were waiting for everyone to get on, the guys who loaded our bags into the storage compartment came on the bus, one after the other, insisting on being tipped. We tipped the first person, and the next two people we told that we had already tipped. They were insistent, but finally after several minutes gave up and got off the bus. A couple of minutes later, their manager came on and started demanding tips - we again stated we had already tipped. I told Al we should get a little session on tipping customs here in India so we know when and how much is appropriate for tipping.

The ride to Mysore was in the dark, but around 6:30 the sun started coming up and we could see what we were passing. Alot of ramshackle buildings, made from materials like tarps, plastic sheeting, and cardboard were along the roadside. It appeared that there is a lot of poverty. There were also many buildings that seemed to be partially built, and then forgotten because the rebar is terribly rusted. What we've heard and read regarding cows in the streets, is true! We nearly crashed into some on the bus ride to Mysore - multiple times.

Upon arriving we were dead tired, but had to wait to check into our rooms until noon. I was pleasantly surprised about the condition of our hotel, especially since while driving from Bangalore we passed several hotels that looked like they were roach motels. The room is very plain, except for the fact that the walls are painted bright orange. It is actually a little disconcerting. After I got checked in and situated in my room, I took an hour and a half nap. Got up took a shower, then headed down for our 5 p.m. meeting. We had a 5 minute meeting that lasted an hour and a half. We were all thinking, if these are the business experts of India, why are they so inefficient at arranging and executing a simple meeting.