I was sent to India to train some fellow employees on the use of a software automation tool.
The trip was hell, from my ride to the Austin airport, the storms mid air, the delayed takeoffs/landings, the smelly Indian lady sitting next to me from London to Mumbia, etc. In total, I was aboard planes and airports for over 44 hours until I finally arrived at my hotel, the Westin in Hyderabad. My delays had me diverted to Mumbia where just looking at the place was scary. As a Texas, I enjoy carrying my ‘equalizer’ hidden on me at all times, just in case I need it. I found myself staring at dozens of Indian Military with automatic assault rifles at almost every corner of the airport. Not once did I feel safe, especially with the sight of so many muslims in full dress all around me. Air India sucks big time by the way...avoid it at all costs.
When I finally arrived at my hotel, we had to undergo a security inspection, under the car, trunk, luggage, myself and anything else. After this inspection, if you pass, you go thru a large metal gate with spike strips. When you get to the main lobby entrance, you go thru the security inspection again, but this time, they scan your luggage thru machines.
While inside the lobby the next day, I noticed someone accros the street hanging out of a building, constantly staring at us in the hotel. Turned out to be an Indian Military outpost.
Arriving every day to the office, I underwent all of the security protocols be it at the office, or returning to the hotel.
If it had not been a business trip, I would have done things much differently and visited better places, like New Delhi for example.
Most of my time there, I thought of my family, my dog, and Texas.
I wonder if this was the consequence of the atrocities that occurred a few years in Bombay involving Jewish victims, I believe. What a world we live in that you had to go through such measures!