This was probably the last of my major trips over seas. It was a big one too. Being gone for 11 days is a long time. Traveling for 26 hours to get home is almost worse.
On November 26, I traveled to Madrid for the HPE Discover event. It was a good trip because I was able to hand-off the HPE work to my successor. We had good events and meetings. I like Spain a lot. Happy to go back anytime.
Madrid Market ready for Christmas 
Royal Palace in Madrid 
Capgemini booth at the event 
My buddy Alfonso from Spain
Then I traveled to Hyderabad, India. It was a long trip, Madrid to Paris to Bangalore to Hyderabad. I felt like a minority the whole way. Not the nicest place I’ve ever visited. The flight was one of my worst ever. The plane smelled awful. I had a crappy seat in the back. As soon as the wheels left the ground, the guy in front of me put his seat as far back as he could. It created a domino effect the length of the plane. They ran out of food and I got a Veggie meal (ick). And then, while I was waiting in queue for the bathroom, a guy came forward like he was going to be sick. His eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed. I helped the flight attendants get him straight on the floor and a doctor came to help. I guess he got better because he got up about 30 minutes later.
The meetings in India were good too. I got to visit the Capgemini main campus. It’s very really nice and there a LOT of people. There are five huge buildings packed with people. The cafeteria is a separate four story building and it’s completely full at lunch.
India is a strange place. The constant honking drives you crazy. Even at night… they honk… non-stop. I don’t think it even changes anything, they just feel better honking.
And, when you ask them a question, their heads roll in a strange figure eight circle that is a combination nod and shake. It could be a yes and yet feels like a no. I’m never quite sure.
When you wake up in the morning, you immediately smell the spices from breakfast. It was so over powering the first morning, I had to go outside for air. BTW, no drinking the water. And, only eat hot foods. Otherwise, you’ll get sick.
Lunch 
Capgemini ASE 
Room from a patio on the 11th floor 
Team workshop 
Main Tech street in India (Accenture, Microsoft, Cognizant, Wipro, etc.) 
Capgemini Campus from the hotel 
Children singing Christmas carols in my Indian hotel