A weekend trip, a State visit and the Frustration Stage

So.  My school hosts a travel agency - on campus - that helps arrange our flights to and from school, with professional development travel plans, etc, and they also arrange a yearly staff retreat.  I went on this staff retreat.  

The place is only 120km away (75miles), but it the first 30 or so are driving through Delhi, which can be pretty busy.  We stopped at a rest stop type place to use the facilities and load up on snacks before the final 100km.  We were all intrigued by the interesting way the map was labelled.  I never realized that New Mexico is such a huge part of the US.  

Mom, this one's for you.

The further out of the city we drove, the more cows.  There were a couple of times when traffic came to a standstill because of one or two or fifty cows blocking the road.

There were these pillars randomly placed throughout the countryside.  Are they grain silos?  Places of worship?  Nobody knew.

Cows on the other side of the road.

So, the hotel/resort we stayed at was called Neemrana.  The fort itself has existed since the 1500s, and has been added onto in the 1800s, 1900s and is still currently under construction.  It is placed on a hill overlooking the surroundings.  

My room's balcony is the lower one.  

There were so many nooks and crannies and mostly hidden staircases to explore  It was lovely and a very relaxing weekend.  

Wednesday of the week we returned was exciting - John Kerry, US Secretary of State was visiting Delhi and arrangements were made for the school to close early and the US passport holding staff and students were invited to a meet and greet with the Secretary.  The meeting was supposed to be outside at the Ambassador's residence.  

Problem with that was it had been raining - down pouring, deluging, monsooning - since Monday.  Things were flooded.  The original plan was for us to stand outside waiting for the Secretary to arrive.  

There are very few people I would be willing to stand outside in the rain for, and the Secretary of State - no matter who it is - is not one of them.  

Thankfully, and wisely, the decision was made to move the meet and greet on campus to the main gym.  And they extended the invitation to everyone, not just US passport holders.

So.  We waited.  In the gym.  We were to arrive by 2:30 for Mr. Kerry's scheduled appearance at 3:30.  Could only bring a phone or a small camera.

There were unexpected delays.  And so, we started watching The Jungle Book.

He must be getting close!

I was fascinated by the frou-frouing that took place.  First, two gentlemen came to fix the flags.  Apparently, they weren't hung correctly.  

Then, the podium was removed.  

And at last, he arrived.  

He was very charismatic and charming and thankfully mostly a-political.  I appreciated his acknowledging an Indian employee who was retiring after working for the embassy for 37 years.  

After his speech, he took a picture with the students who were sitting on the ground.  

And then he left.  And life continued on.  

And now, i have really reached the FRUSTRATION Stage of Culture shock.  It's an actual thing.  I'm frustrated with the way things work here, I'm frustrated that I don't know what kind of flour to buy to make cookies or bread, and I'm really done with fighting the same battles over and over again with administrators and colleagues.  

But, this stage will pass, and I will grow to love India and all of its quirks.  And, I will adapt to the school.  I know I will. It just takes time.

Blargh.