Well, I’m about to embark on my trip to Bangalore, India, Hong Kong and Mainland China. For those of you who don’t know, I’m attending University of Tennessee’s Executive MBA program and a part of the curriculum includes a 2 week stint overseas. The University has created a pretty interesting agenda of which I list some of the highlights below.
I’ve had one hiccup while I prepare for the trip. It turns out that American’s have to get a travel Visa from the Indian Embassy to enter their country. As of last Friday, I still hadn’t received my Visa. Also, when you mail your Visa application, you have to include your Passport. After days of voice mail messages to the Indian Embassy in Washington, I finally got a call back from a nice Indian man who stated that they have no record of receiving my Visa application. After several follow-up calls and proof that the Fed Ex packages was signed for by an Embassy employee several weeks earlier, my Visa and Passport arrived by special mail courier this past Sunday.
Another necessary evil of going to India and China is the need for the inoculations from hell. Over the last few weeks I’ve been injected with so many medications that I feel invincible to practically anything. <Insert Jinx Here>. I’ve had shots for hepatitis, tetanus, polio, typhoid, measles, mumps, rubella and malaria (pills). I also have a wide variety of prescription meds just in case I eat or drink something that I shouldn’t have. Oh the joy of international travel.
More to come on my site visits in India and China but here are a few details. I leave this Friday at 2 PM from Knoxville and fly through Atlanta, Paris and into Bangalore. The total flight time including layovers is about 25 hours. I decided to pay a little extra and upgrade to business class. I figured I’m only doing this trip once and 25 hours in coach just didn’t sound that appealing.
On our first day in Bangalore we are taking it easy so everyone can get adjusted to the time zone switch. Later in the week, we are visiting or having presentation from Proctor and Gamble, McAfee, Dell, Fed Ex and the Indian Institute of Management to name a few. More details on these visits once I have them. On Saturday, September 23 we fly to Hong Kong for more site visits and some cultural outings. Again, more to come once I get settled in Hong Kong. Check back soon.
The Feinbaum Chronicles 
September 11, 2006 at 6:11 pm |
Well now, while my hubby is off jet setting around the world and learning about all the International business buzz, I will be remaining here in Knoxville. Many of you have asked why I am not traveling with my hubby across the country. My answer has been to explain that his trip will not be a pleasure outing with fine wine, food and daily massage; instead he will be studying businesses of such magnitude as he has listed above. So, I will avoid all those ghastly inoculations and keep my feet firmly planted here in K’town.
Of course, I’m sure that I will catch a few extra rides & visits with my fine equine friend, Atticus during Ron’s absence. Also, on my agenda are few dinner outings and such with girl friends and family.
Mostly, I will miss the company of my now favorite companion and look forward to his “safe” and healthy return…Melissa (aka, wifey)
September 14, 2006 at 10:06 pm |
The whole portion of the MBA program in India/China sounded pretty interesting until the classes, studying and case review part.
Send Indian and Chinese food to Melissa, and we’ll all descend upon the Melissa/Ron household to raid your wine cabinet in your absence.
September 15, 2006 at 2:38 am |
I wouldn’t worry. Hong Kong gets a pretty clean bill of health from the CIA World Factbook. Of course, the CIA also says India has a “high” degree of risk for infectious and food or waterborne diseases. But even the U.S. doesn’t get a flattering review with our tsunamis, volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, mud slides, forest fires, permafrost, pollution, acid rain, and “limited natural fresh water resources.” It sounds like you’re safer overseas. Have some curry for me!
September 15, 2006 at 5:32 am |
Just for the fun of it, when you roll into Hong Kong, grab a few locals on the street and ask them if there are any good chinese restaurants in town? Okay, lame joke! Have a great trip and be safe!
September 15, 2006 at 11:17 am |
“25 hours in coach just didn’t sound that appealing.”
Ah, Mr. Feinbaum. The master of understatement. 25 hours in coach is somewhere in Dante’s Inferno. Down in the deepest, nastiest part of hell, I think. The place they toss all the lawyers, spammers and dot.com vendors.
Good luck with the trip. Looking forward to your reports.
September 17, 2006 at 4:13 am |
Jason, I don’t think they call it Chinese food in Hong Kong. They just call it food.
September 21, 2006 at 1:06 pm |
Looks like you are having an incredible trip, your posts are great. If you don’t think it will cause an international incident, I propose a food exchange program; you overnight the best chicken tikka masala and tandoori chicken you can find and I’ll overnight a couple porterhouse’s from Peter Luger’s.