Thursday, January 26, 2012

My first flight and trip to Delhi

After the Great news on my mobile...
there came hell lots of confusions between the US and Mexico – finally decided to go with Mexican Visa…
I had only one thought - back of my mind… chances of refusal or rejection of my dad’s visa if I go with the US one….
I was not ready to take a chance with him...nor ready to get risky…
This is like a biggest gift I can give to my dad…ever…
For all the hard work, efforts, time , my parents had put…so as to put me in this spot light..:-)
I couldn’t take a little risk to lose this chance….couldn’t let him loose this chance…

The application forms, and required documents ….got in hand on time
Filed the application with the travel agents..
God, travel agents SUCKS!!! You can’t rely any of them…
Travel, Visa, consulate rules, Air tickets, transit rules…all goddamn rules – trust me you have to go through it by yourself…
One lesson learnt in this 2 weeks… You just have to do your homework all the time in case of travelling..

The only Mexican embassy in India is New Delhi…
Woooh……My first visit to Delhi….
Yipee…!! So my first flight , the first flight I will board will be from Bangalore to Delhi.:-)
Wanted to book a best one….though it was domestic….Went and hit for Jet airways!!!

Dad reached Saturday Morning on 21st Jan…. Sunday was our journey.
22nd we had plans to visit our relatives house…. Hang out there if possible I wanted to roam around delhi..:-)


Boarded the flight, the experience was good.. Jet serves great breakfast!!
Clouds, I always fancied them… and to see them – right outside my window so close - was unbelievable..
The feeling was like – just break the flight glass- jump out and sleep on the bed of clouds…
Thts the click I managed to get from the window..
Hmmmm….!!!

10am – 7 degree ?? Did I land in Kashmir or what?? It was cold than I expected……
Sunday – a good lunch at aunt’s house, followed by the longest temple ride …the Akshardham one!!!
You gotta see that to believe how long was it – 4pm to 9pm – and I think I could cover half the temple 
It’s an easy place to get lost in the crowd – with no cell fones with us!!

Republic day - parade practice , tightened security…I couldn’t roam anywhere else..
Gosh!! Delhi was just as it should be – Capital city – so great!!!
It’s true - I got that feeling of being in the capital once reaching there…

Hit back after dinner to hotel asoka palace…room # 204!!!
Sound sleep , long day…
Got up early; we both just walked to the embassy….
2 people managing the mexican embassy – terrific, horrible what should I call it??
Poor organized – whatever it is they assured I can collect my passport by 5pm.

We went out – for getting sweets..
Decided not to lunch at the hotel we stayed – price was too much to have for that taste ..
We had two pizza’s from slice of Italy…hm, not so good pizza….Delhi serves!!
Boarded my 2nd flight back to Bangalore… by 8pm… just fell asleep after the dinner…served!!

In the end - A good trip to Delhi – With Mexican visa’s stamped on our passport – Half job done..
Heading to start with the next!! My flight is via Paris…and for staying at airport for 5 hrs I need a visa!!!
Phew!!! - France Airport Transit Visa…for my transit is via Paris!!! Next mission!!!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Jan 6th -The great news over my mobile

The call was scheduled at 7:30pm from the CEO....
Yeah.... it was surprising...and great to be heard...!!!
Unbelievable it was...

THE GXS PRESIDENT award - the ULTIMATE ACHIEVEMENT in GXS ; this one is the top one anyone can get here.......!!!

President's award is given every year....selecting the top layer of cream....
I am one of them for this year... Being honored for my valuable contributions to GXS in 2011 for exhibiting great GXS values..!!!
Across the globe - from GXS - I am one among the luckiest 10...I am the only one from India, from GXS -Bangalore office...:-)


The CEO call was about 3 minutes and was informed that I would become member for President's club 2011 and I can travel to Mexico to attend the President's club meeting to receive the award..that falls in Feb mid week. Moreover I can take one guest/friend/family with me for the president's club meeting.. I thanked Bob for making time for the personal call and informing me the great news...

With that call ending...I didn't know what to say to myself...Couldn't react anything much and I kept staring at my mobile - he just called me in person ......ooohhh.....!!!!

Hey, do i deserve this? Cmon....no second thoughts now - I do deserve it...
out of 3000 if i fall in top 10...why should i think I deserve it in real..??
Yeah, I am one of them!!!

Called up home, called up manager - thanked him for nominating me...emailed big boss, told to my close friends......over the weekend...:-)
Oh, God - this is so much of a reward for my hard work...:-) what a start to 2012..

The next week registration mail came for the event... That took my breath away!!!
Feb 12th to Feb 16th - A series of event lined up for my award...:-) A relaxation - vacation package..at the resort...in Mexico...clubbed with GXS functions..

I need to get my visa, tickets, lots of things pending and time is so less..
Yeah, decided that my dad is gonna accompany me to Grand Velas Riviera Maya, at Cancun-Mexico....

My first project in this new year 2012 turns out to be "My Award Journey to Mexico"
Start Date : Jan 6th 2012
In progress : First phase - Gathering requirements...:-)