Back in Civil Lines

The conference is now over, and I'm back staying with friends in Civil Lines, which more in the central city than my place in Greater Noida. I'm glad to be back in civilization again-- the place I stayed felt very isolated and, aside from the conference, I didn't get to interact with people very much.

Haha, except for last night, when I had to instantly become friends with table full of VIP strangers!

One of the CEOs I interviewed on Thursday invited me to dinner with the company at the Le Meridien hotel on Friday. I accepted, and then realized that the hotel was a full hour away from where I was staying in Greater Noida. Transportation is always the biggest issue for me here, alone, in a city that I'm not very familiar with, so was a bit anxious about getting there. Rightfully so. After a cab ride, failed bus trip, then successful bus trip equaling a total of 2 hours of travel, I arrived at the hotel... 1 hour late.

I wander into the Le Meredien hotel , rather exhausted, irritated, and flustered from the trip, and suddenly India transforms into a VIP paradise. I can't even imagine how much it costs to rent a room here (in dollars, much less rupees). The walls and floors were either marble-like or glass, and the elevator rises up from a fountain in the mail lobby. Very cool, and probably much more striking than usual since I had just disembarked from a dingy motorcoach. I arrived at dinner, which, rather than a small gathering, is a table of 25 people, all businesspeople dressed in suits and ties (thank god I wore a blazer). I scoot in on the edge of the table next to complete strangers, easily at least 7 years older than me, and the waiter alerts us that he is bringing out the first course.

I almost laughed I was so scared.

Needless to say, I made it through without too many egregious errors. Everyone of course works for some major solar developer or solar supplier and tells me all about their company, then asks me whether my research is for my master's degree or my Ph.D. I tried to pull off "undergraduate" with a smile. I was a good listener and managed to find a way to make small talk with my new Indian and Chinese friends about everything from Bollywood films to World Cup soccer to Harry Potter, but thankfully halfway through the dinner my corner became acquainted with the German man across the table who had an affinity for carrying on nuanced debates about interesting issues with himself. :) It was awesome to not have to try to say something intelligent to say for intervals of at least 20 minutes. Everyone thought my research on the solar mission was an interested idea and encouraged that I forward them a copy of my finished report. Great. Now people are actually going to READ the thing. Social awkwardness aside though, it was really cool sitting at a table full of (I'm sure) some of the biggest names in India's budding solar industry. The CEO walked me out and arranged for a ride home for me (thank you!!!) and encouraged me to stay in touch. :) Very cool. Must remember to send him my resume, as he's in the market for an energy policy analyst.

Today, after another exiting foray across the city of Delhi with a clueless driver, I've been hanging out at my friend's house and talking a lot with his mom. She is in charge of running elections in Delhi and has told me a lot of really cool stories about how her team goes about correctly registering the 11 million voters in the city and encouraging them to come to the polls on election day. What a cool lady. Later on, my friend and get to go out and see LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS IN 3D, which I am actually really excited about despite the fact that the plotline is based on warrior owls. I've watched the trailer and the animation just looks beautiful... and the over-dramatized dialogue will, I'm sure, be classic.

Transcribing my interviews, then movie tonight. Last day in Delhi tomorrow (YAY) and then on to Pune!! At long last!!