Himalaya

HIMALAYA

Since I've not reported for long, it is high time that I once again report from my life in India. March was very eventful and I also met some really interesting people. Here in India, I can, despite all the recreational opportunities, focus very well on my studies and my future career.

Gurgaon

It is called the industrial suburb of Delhi. 30km south of the Indian capital, you will truly feel in this city- as if you are in another world. Each building is higher than the other and you can see expensive cars everywhere. Very futuristic.

Because I got through the student support program of Schneider Electric for my study ,I got the opportunity to work in the Energy Audit Team in Gurgaon and I was able to experience the city so closely. Schneider Electric is investing really heavily in the Indian market, which can be seen, not least, in the impressive building that is located in the Cyber City neighbourhood. Directly across the street from Microsoft, IBM, Twine and the Royal Bank of Scotland, I can drink coffee at lunch with my friendly, helpful fellow Indians and talk about the meaning of life.

Despite the impressive architecture, which allows the infrastructure in Gurgaon to be really desired, the roads are badly damaged and there are far too few auto-rickshaws. The people here are dependent on public transport.

This Monday, there was an even extra sweet start to the week.

No sooner had I arrived after a 3 / 4 hour Metro ride to Gurgaon, I could see that the rickshaws were on strike throughout the city.

So I had my morning exercise, when I went 3.5 kilometers through the city on foot. Of course, next to Audi, Porsche and Co.

And it was also nice to get to know IBM's Indian employees, who had to go to Cyber City along with me. Perfect start to the week, because you can be thrilled about what happened so unexpectedly.

View from my Office

View from my office

Agra

I came to know through my internship at Schneider Electric that I had been invited for an energy audit in a 5 star hotel. The travel, accommodation and even the food were paid. The hotel was really impressive. There, one is welcomed by a large, open reception area. No sooner than I entered the lobby, rose petals were thrown on the floor and I got a red dot on the forehead for spirituality.

At the time when I was in the hotel, Bill Keller, the chief editor of the New York Time Magazine., was also there. The chief engineer also told me that during the previous week, President Sarkozy and his wife had also been there. Really exciting.

Most of the time during the day, I was taking measurements on the HVAC (heating ventilation air conditioning) system with my Indian colleagues. In the evening I had enough free time to watch the city and its attractions. I was very disappointed from the city. It is designed for tourism and shops meant for tourists, next to the monuments, did not have a lot to offer.

In the evening I was able to make very tasty finish to the day with a dinner at the hotel. Unfortunately, 10 days after my visit to Agra, I had severe stomach problems for the 1st time. The climate and food are unlike the ones in Delhi.

The Hotel Entrance

The Machine Room Of The Hotel

Taj Mahal, Agra

The train for Agra

Train: The Indian women shared their food.

Rishikesh

I discovered Rishikesh, the spiritual stronghold of India, on a weekend trip. This lively town of hippies was very different from Delhi.

All white people there wear traditional clothes or have dreadlocks or do both. Then unfortunately, for me, with my jeans and my plain black t-shirt, it was too late to change the outfit.

In Rishikesh, I did super-rafting in the Ganges, which had risen to a water source and  was also able to experience really good live music for the 1st time. This jam session took place every evening in the so-called "Hill Top Hotel" and was really so good that I went there for two nights in a row. As the Ganges flows right through Rishikesh, there are some nice beach areas and Mediterranean atmosphere.

Divided by the river in 2 parts, Rishikesh is connected together by a simple steel cable bridge that sways with the wind. The Indians, with their 350cc Einfield also will not hesitate to travel on the bridge crowded with masses of people. Monkeys and cows also walk on the bridge. So, I was  caught by a cow for the 1st time, which suddenly emerged from nowhere behind an Indian. Then I got really hungry for steak again :)

The bridge, which was mentioned before

On the way to the waterfall.

The Shore

View from the cafe

The lovely Ganges.

--By Christopher Knedel