My dramatic Indian XP
I had 3 trips to India so far. They’ve all turned out to be rich experiences.
Highlights of this recent trip:
My VISA expired on the 3rd day when I was in India. I was leaving for Bombay from Colombo on Nov 2nd. When I was checking in, the lady at the counter found out that my VISA expires on Nov 5th. I couldn’t believe that since I’ve always got 3 months VISA to India. Since I rushed the VISA officer in The Hague before I left The Netherlands, this dodgy Indian man made such a mistake. ;-(
Then I need to extend my VISA and the only thing I found out from the F.R.O office in Bombay was that they don’t ‘entertain’ Chinese. Thanks to the great relationship China has established with important countries!!! For a minute I was thinking of flying to Delhi to extend my VISA. The 2nd moment I saw 2 Chinese men whose VISA expired ages ago but still chilling in Bombay. The very next minute they bribed 100 USD/each to 2 different officers and got a VISA extension which allows them to leave the country in the next 4 days.
I was inspired. But I don’t get a receipt if I bribe. ;-( Luckily, apart from money, relationship rocks as much as it is in China. I got information from the lady working in the F.R.O in Bombay office that I can get the same thing done in Hyderabad office. And LC Hyderabad has a member who has a powerful dad.
Chairing an Indian conference wasn’t that easy. The level of energy and quality of membership were very impressive. The sense of timing challenged the concept of agenda. Change management has been embodied throughout the conference because the conference flows naturally even not aligned with the ‘flow’ of the agenda. The day I left the conference for my VISA extension and came back to find out that the agenda was delayed for a good 8 hours!!!
But I did enjoy this trip very much. There are a lot of positive things happening in AIESEC India. I had so many interesting discussions with the members. We even challenged the theories of @XP to its core. Some of them shared their future plans with me. All those little conversations have made my visits very interesting.
Again, I wasn’t able to see anything in Hyderabad. I stayed one night in Kolkota and met some members there. I was taken to Southern Indian breakfast and special sweets in Kolkota. I have briefly seen 6 cities in India now and Bombay has been the first and my favorite. You know what I mean if you’ve been there.
Highlights of this recent trip:
My VISA expired on the 3rd day when I was in India. I was leaving for Bombay from Colombo on Nov 2nd. When I was checking in, the lady at the counter found out that my VISA expires on Nov 5th. I couldn’t believe that since I’ve always got 3 months VISA to India. Since I rushed the VISA officer in The Hague before I left The Netherlands, this dodgy Indian man made such a mistake. ;-(
Then I need to extend my VISA and the only thing I found out from the F.R.O office in Bombay was that they don’t ‘entertain’ Chinese. Thanks to the great relationship China has established with important countries!!! For a minute I was thinking of flying to Delhi to extend my VISA. The 2nd moment I saw 2 Chinese men whose VISA expired ages ago but still chilling in Bombay. The very next minute they bribed 100 USD/each to 2 different officers and got a VISA extension which allows them to leave the country in the next 4 days.
I was inspired. But I don’t get a receipt if I bribe. ;-( Luckily, apart from money, relationship rocks as much as it is in China. I got information from the lady working in the F.R.O in Bombay office that I can get the same thing done in Hyderabad office. And LC Hyderabad has a member who has a powerful dad.
Chairing an Indian conference wasn’t that easy. The level of energy and quality of membership were very impressive. The sense of timing challenged the concept of agenda. Change management has been embodied throughout the conference because the conference flows naturally even not aligned with the ‘flow’ of the agenda. The day I left the conference for my VISA extension and came back to find out that the agenda was delayed for a good 8 hours!!!
But I did enjoy this trip very much. There are a lot of positive things happening in AIESEC India. I had so many interesting discussions with the members. We even challenged the theories of @XP to its core. Some of them shared their future plans with me. All those little conversations have made my visits very interesting.
Again, I wasn’t able to see anything in Hyderabad. I stayed one night in Kolkota and met some members there. I was taken to Southern Indian breakfast and special sweets in Kolkota. I have briefly seen 6 cities in India now and Bombay has been the first and my favorite. You know what I mean if you’ve been there.
posted by Jingwei @ 10:39 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I hope you were paying attention to the food - I'd love a cooking demonstration! :)
Keep enjoying your adventures, I hope they can be just as exciting and challenging for those around you as they are for you yourself.
See you SOON,
luv flic xxx
Hi Chris, It is so long since the last time we met. It is great to read you are having such an amazing experience from your country visits. When you come ack to Rotterdam I will be gone, but I am sure we'll see eachother around. Hughs from the office. Maria
Post a Comment
<< Home