Alvida North Carolina

This is my final blog during the month long GSE trip. Tomorrow we proceed to New York and then catch the return flight on Friday night. I dont think i will get a chance to blog in NYC. You see its more important to check out times square, ground zero, statue of liberty than blogging.

Today morning we went to Ashboro zoo which is the biggest natural habitat zoo in NC. In the evening we attended the farewell dinner. DG Charles could not atend as his mother is ill. We convey our best wishes and pray for speedy recoveryof DG's mother. In the dinner PDG Phil was there., so was coming DG Mike. And there was Ann. And everybody from Ashboro. It was fun and it was sombre. It felt great to be with them for a month and we felt sad to leave them. Wonderful rotarians like Rob Recce, Kemp, Jackie, Milners, Dr. Ranbir and others who needs no mention. There was exchange of final gifts and the rotary team pledged to go for return visit in India soon. We will be expecting Ann, Ashley and Bill soon.

Steve Wirtz and Tanaa meets us in Greensboro tomorrow which will be preceeded by a Punjabi lunch to be hosted by who else but a Shikh. Looking forward for it till we board from Greensboro.

Thanx for bearing with us for over a month. I pledge to plaster this blog with photos once we r back as photos were a rarity so far due to tech constraint.

Back in Ashboro

It was a rollicking weekend in the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort attending the District Conference of RID7690. We went in 3 cars along with Rob Resse, Kemp and Jackie. Jackie is from South Africa originally and it was refreshing to exchange very classical thoughts on education, values and culture while on the drive. very british. We had a breakfast break and ultimately reached Myrtle at 5PM. There was a jungle fire in the vicinity and it appeared menacing when we approached the beach. But finally it was not that harmful. The beach resort is awesome with a never ending coastline on a silver sand platform. We stayed in a condo at the 23rd floor and it was a luxurious condo with 3 room 3 toilet and all facilities. Immediately checking in we went for lunch with Rob in the Pool side cafe. In the evening we attended the formal welcome dinner of the conference. it was an informal dinner with an idea of what awaits the next couple of days. It was interesting to find out old freinds like Greg, Pam, Peggy, Paul, Braun, dexter and so many. The dinner spread of club sandwiches was pretty interesting. we stayed awake late that night preparing for the next day presentation followed with some recreation afterwards.

The next day started with Plenary Session -1 where DG Charles Allen introduced RI Director. The Key Note Speaker was Deepa Willingham who is from California Rotary and is running a women education centre in Piyali in South 24 parganas. We pray that she have collected reasonable donation by her very sentimental speech.

Our flag hoisting ceremony went well and it was really an honour to carry the tricolour and see it hoisted along with the Red & Stripes for all 3 days of the convention. Our presentation and dance item went well. Mr. Gandhi and Shruti were the speakers from the team. The team indeed got a standing ovation. Rob and Ann took us for lunch thereafter in the Broadway at the Beach at the Jackie's inn. They have some amazing sea food platter with focus on crab. We then went to Myrtle Beach and had an improptu swim in the ocean. That evening we had the dinner in Pallisades and the butter corn and pork chops were amazing. Then we went to the beach Pajama party where everybody got a chance to shake a leg. Joe Kelley, the outbound GSE leader then took us to his condo for a small homely party. Shantony, Carrie and Jenna who arrived in the beach in that night only joined us. The party was definitely followed by some more entertainment and ended in the early hours of Saturday.

Next day at 11 AM the outbound GSE presented their show and we found their presentation to be very focussed. They were displaying only those pictures what many like to percieve about india. very interesting. We went for lunch with Ashley followed by some shopping at Tanger, the multi brand factory outlet, best buy and tresco. The latter is a metro cash and carry format and it was a better bargain. Dinner on Saturday was a sitdown in Pallisades. I would only remember the desert which was very good. The dinner and dance went upto 11 and it appeared everybody was desperate to enjoy till the last. The GSE team along with Ann came to our condo in the night and we chatted till 3 in the morning. Everybody poured their hearts out and it was so sentimental and warm for evrybody. Carrie, Shantony, Ann, Jenna, Amanda - we may probably never meet them ever but we became such good freinds in last 4 months. We all vowed to keep in touch. Ann was at her best. She was a darling. We could not have expected a better, accomodating and freindly GSE chair who smilingly considered all our tantrums. A very very special thanks to Ann on behalf of the team. Luv u.

Today we were back in Ashboro. On the way, Jackie gave us a good treat. Amazing Buffet spread. the countdown has begun. we should be home next sunday.

Dinner in the Hanspal's

It was a impressive dinner yesterday in the house of Dr. Prithvipal Singh Hanspal. He has a palatial house in Ashboro and invited the whos who of Rotary in 7690. Many of them we know and so it was great. that included Joe and his 4 leiutenants. Phil Morris, Tim Albertson, DG09-10 and the indian doctors completed the line up. It was a party for teetotallers & vegans. So snacks was Masala Muri, Paneer tikki and Alu Chaat. Dinner was Pulao, Paratha, Alu Ghobi, Palak Paneer, Shahi Kofta, Raita, Baingon Ki Bharta and assortment. Food came from Saffron and we all savoured. In the night, Dr. Cabberwal, a urologist took us to her home. That was even more impressive. A palace on 5 acres. They really made it big in last 30 years. Feels good. Now we r proceeding to Myrtle Beach. Its party time.

Wednesday in Ashboro

It was a busy day in Ashboro. We went to Timken USA in morning. It was nice to know manufacturing of large bearing of 6- 24" inch dia. Their primary customer is caterpillar and they r serving earth moving and automobile industry. is heavily into Kanban and appeared to be not comfortable in value engineering. That is something if they dont learn quickly i.e. value and reverse engineering, it will be interesting for the rest.

the reception and the arrangement in lunch for the joint meetinmg meeting of Ashboro and Randolph rotary clube was impressive. with attendance of 150 people and tricolour baloon everywhere it was fun. Shruti had a good dress rehearsal of the presentation. The reception in Ashboro was indeed very sincere. In fact we travelled in a limosuine today. that was indeed a one off expereince and there were many tangent eyes to the travelling GSE team.

The Tribune News had long press conference with the team. Gse had really spured the imagination of RID 7690 NO doubt.

Sorry for the typo error yesterday. I never felt so proud seeing the tricolour flying for an effort of us.
We have our dinner today in the house of Dr. Priti Hanspal. There is an army of serving shikh doctors in Ashboro and they r the crowns of the city. Good for us.

Now in Ashboro

Today was a heartrending day in Sanford. Leaving people like Paul and Ashley was difficult. The Dauphine's were truly fabulous. We had a team presentation in Sanford Club today in noon. Today the theme was Jharkhand and Bihar. There was a deafenening clasp after the 35 minute presentation. Hope the audience liked it.

We came to Ashboro and mert the Mayor of Ashboro City.After the routine proclamation, what was heart rending was to note that Ashboro municipality will be hoisting the tricolour for a week in honour opf our visit. Seeing the tricolour hoisted along with US flag in commemoration to our visit to rthe city is easily the best part of our trip. i didnt felt so pround. Thanks Ashboro.

Monday in Chatam County

It was a busy Monday. Started with Breakfast meeting with San Lee Rotary at Golden Corral. Then went to Supreme Fruitcakes followed by art incubator in Siler City. Then there was team presentation in Siler City Rotasry. Then we went to Horizon winery followed with Pittsboro Zoo. We had dinner at General Store in Pittsboro.
Tomorrow we move to Ashboro

it was a lazy sunday in sanford. we worked for the presentation in ashley's house in the afternoon. ashley then took us for a boat ride. then shruti, myself and mr. gandhi went for dinner in a mexican restaurant along with the host. these guys in carolin a trace are a wonderful lot. we have already nominated ashley as the guest member of our team by presenting our team tie to him for all the good work he did for us. i guess thats a great honour! but honestly, ashley, thank you.
tomorrow will be one of the business dayswith meetings lined up from 7 am to 7 pm. goodnight.

Weekend in Raleigh

It was a busy weekend in Raleigh. After touring the private airport of Sanford City, Vaun, Ashley and Paul went with us for a trip to Chapel Hill, Duke and Raleigh city. We had lunch in a restaurant near farmers market tasting the authentic southern chicken fry. wealso went to a hindu temple near raleigh where tasting the kheer was also a welcome change. as usual we only found mallus there. When Shrisanth caught that last catch in the 20/20 final, truly the pakis lamented, whereever u go, u find a mallu.
it was nice to see the governor house and the busy downtown. Today we have eam dinner inPaul's house. And the indian team presents peas poau and alu ghobi. good opurtunity.

A day in Sanford

It was a busy day in Sanford. We started in a bus of Vaun and went to Mayor's office. There the Mayor of Sanford City gave us the keys of the city and proclaimed as its citizens. It was a unbelivable expereince. Then we went to Chamber of commerce, toured the industrial park, visited Mekle Automation and had a good insight of the recessionary effect. We had lunch at a cafetaria followed by a visit to the Cuty perfume shoppe. everybody shopped like hell. In the evening my host along with host of Mr. Gandhi and Ravish went for a magnificient boat ride in the Carolina Trace lake. Wonderful. Life can be so pristine. Talk of premium living!
The team isSanford is really superb!

today 16th april, i first went to the empire of steve ilderton. they are a dealer of crysler, dodge and jeep. they do conversion of all cars and also are a dealer of electric cars.

our first official stop today was mendenhill plantation followed by tour of fox8 tv news channel. it was a expereince to record in front of a teleprompter. they were very courteous. we then had presentation in country club for highpoint rotary club. it went on pretty well. we gave small mememtos to skip, coleby, dick and the one and only ann. they made our trip in high point so special. coleby and skip in particular wasspecial. they were so great. steve wirtz drove all the way from greensboro to meet me. i really want to see him in greensboro on 28th. he is such an amazing person. despite all the hospitality around, his treatment with me remains very special.

we drove for around 2 hours to arrive at sanford in the evening. on the way, siler city rotary arranged for refreshments in a cafe. it has been an extremely good trip in high point.

It was a eventful day in high point. first half we went for vocational training in centre for creative leadership in greensboro. very impressive facility, assessment centres and hrd laboratory. i would guess some of the best quality of working life i have seen. but their take on leadership matrix appeared pretty straightjacketed. if they want to be global, they need to be nimble and formulate leadership initiatives which are custom made across geographies. they also yet to come with economis of scale which is the buzzword of consultancy firms today. may be i was there for too short a time to judge their focus and key initiatives. but tanya was cool to have arranged such a nice trip. next stop was lunch in the residence of pdg phil morris. it was a takeaway and we are left with chicken wings only to conjure up memories of the country.
the next stop was easily the highlight of the trip so far. we went kayaking to a lake. to kayak alone in a deep lake, okk that was frightening. but once u r on the water you feel like doing it on and on. thanx ann, coleby, skip and rotary for this wonderful oppurtunity.

another day in high point

last night we had team dinner with host families in outback. everybody were all gaga with blooming onions. now frying onions with a batter can be a drinks starter!. great. we can have that in a budget party.

today we went to the city mayor of hight point. she seemed to have all the time in the world. i need to brief to to my ward no 94 councillor in kolkata. even he is perpetually busy. she was so courteous to have given us high point city embrossed blankets. the next stop was interesing. hunter farms. i enjoyed the chocolate sanswich and the peach flavour icecream. they were so sweett. lunch was with triad rotary club followed by team presentation in strings and splinter club. we had consecutive two program in the same venue. i guess they dont encourage second helping. so the buffet is on ground floor and you sit in first floor.

then we went to high point chamber of commerce. a paki has donated the building so that all dreams of hight point citizen can come real. gracious enough! it seems everybody here operates in sylos. the police, the chamber of commerce, the city of municipilaty. the governance boundaries is worth to probe in details. a red t=shirt in the bargain. we all need to buy few luggages or continental will offload it.

the day winded up with visit to chyrsler buses and a kayak manufacturing site. i went with cristine to a gym as steve is out in atlanta to fix a deal with the mahindras! goodness they expect to sell scorpios in united states!

A day in High point

busy day in high point. first we went to hight point museum. not much of a history. artefacts are not more than 100 years. coming from india, our museums are expected to store atleast artefacts which are more than 300 years old to may be 1500 years.

but the next stop - hight point university was better in terms of grandeur and facilities. clicking pictures with madam curie and aristotle was like being in madam tussauds. the student centre is more of a premier sports centre than a recreational stop for students. it appeared to be in a big promotional drive and with 1 crore expenditure for a 4 years course that may be a deal for many from the asian countries.

lunch was with the furnitureland rotary club. and then we toured the highlight of this city. the furniture bazaar or the trade pavilion of furniture where every year twice in april and october around 10 million buyers and sellers meet to trade in furnitures. impressive facilities and there were many indian carpets and cane products in display.
then we went to the police dept of high point and the focus was to see the dog section or the k-9 as they call it. discovering police dept in this country was the single biggest relevation. the government offices in this country appears to be as organised and managed as you expect in a corporate house. they appear to be flush in funds as all services comes very dear.

tonight the team has a joint dinner in a steakhouse along with host families. so the day will end pretty late.

High Point

we went to duke university on saturday. susan works there in administration. we went to medical college, fuqua business scholl, the park. it was awesome to see the beautiful university and meet people there. the souvenir shop and the book store was however a dampener. the garden is really good. it was a fastastic 3 days with the rymans.

we had lunch in steakkhouse and thereafter checked in at the marriot in high point in the afternoon. tim albertson took us to watch the garasshopers(greensboro) play against drive in greensboro park. the baseball match had all the fun and frolic. and to watch it sitting in the vip closet was amazing. no doubt where the 20/20 format has been copied from! then we went to munch, a nightclub in downtown greensboro. from there we had dinner in waffle house and came back pretty late.

today sunday morning we went for a easter service in a local church. the preist was pretty animated which forces the audience to hear his sermons. every religion speaks of peace but still some country believes in war. eye for an eye. you r either with us or not with us!. strange as it may sound!
Steve ilderton whose family has been a dealer for crysler / dodge / jeep for last 80 years will host me for the next 4 days. we went to watch nicholas cage movie 'knowing' in palladium theatre in the evening. pathetic would be an understatement. a good easter weekend. a long and hard week awaits us.

Burlington

Today was a busy day in Burlington. Had our Breakfast in Ramada Inn and quickly went to Times News. It was interesting to check out that the same set of problem in print industry. Being overshadowed by electronic media, rising expenses and diminishing ad-qoutes. Roselle and Michelle gave us lot us time in explaining their functioning. A brief of our expereince so far was printed in their daily spreadsheet which can be checked at
http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/ghosh_24127___article.html/rotary_group.html
Then we went to Almanac County Hospital and visited their oncology dept. There was a hospitologist there called Nivedita Pandey who is from Delhi who became our guide.
After having a lunch in Sidetrack with Burlington Rotary Club members, we had a good visit of Elon University. They say its competing Duke University in this part. We had a hour long question answer session with a group of students of the University whose one of the area of study is India. It appeared they got influenced by Freedman's 'The World is Flat'. I guess Milton now has serious competition. It was interesting to explain the American students the causes and reasons of india being a preferred outsourcing hub or what they say as we r stealing their jobs. I remember my countrymen in Adityapur who cry the same way against China. Is it 'Survival of the Fittest'. I believe Darwin was right. And now probably is the time for the wheel to turn.

How could you end the day after such gruelling without a beer tasting session. In fact we ended up with having a session at Red Oak Brewery followed by a wild session at the 'Hooters'. Skinpy girls, lot of shrimps and legs and good fresh draught beer. Burlington was special. Marc and Susan was special. We had a mongolean buffet dinner where you get to actually choose from a wide array of sauces and spices. I always thought chinese food only contains vinegar and soya sauce!
Goodnight. Tomorrow is easter saturday and we move to High Point.

Graham County

Yesterday night it was a wonderful evening. Mark and Susan Ryman played excellent piano and guitar for us. They r a pair. It went well with coffee and chocolate desert.

Today morning we had breakfast in Cracker Barrel and then went to Iron Gate Winery for a wine tasting session. I thought they r only good in sweet dry chardanoy's. We had a Graham Rotary presentation after that. attended by around 30 people. Then we went to a company called Carolina Biological Sciences which makes school supplies for supplementary studies. It was a interesting and organized business segment.

Marc, Susan, Sourav and i went for dinner in a restaurant. Never knew jalapeños goes so well with beer. It was a one off experience after that. I went for a 2 hour drive with a local cop (he is Ryan) of Graham county in his car. Chasing a car in a interstate highway and issuing tickets, felt like being part of a Will Smith movie. And the interior of a police car. Its a mobile office! He was sending instruction from his dell laptop while driving 100 mph in a interstate. Good fun!

Tomorrow we go to watch a baseball match. Welcome to the land of red and blue stripes.

Yesterday we had great motorcycling and Volvo driving in Frank's house. Driving a 800 cc yamaha right side of the road at 80 mph was a great experience. Same with driving a 45000$ volvo with auto transmission and right drive. It made 100 mph in 6 sec flat.

Today 8th, wednesday, we visited a SEARS store. White goods cost almost the same. Then we had a good swim in YMCA, Reidsveille. Kevin was gracious to arrange for everything in the Y (that what they call it). Lunch was in Golden Corral which serves a 100 course buffet with 7$. And they serve a good rice (brown though) and a spicy chicken.

Everything tried to push in something from Wall Mart but i guess none of them r a good bargain. Its just because that probably no body can return empty handed, thats why all is buying some stuff.

Harrold then drove us all to Grove Winery where we had a wine tasting session. Swimming, shopping and wining! Its turning out to be a booming holiday. But more than that, Reidsveille was awesome where all probably were allowed to down the hairs. Radolph who is the comminssioner of Rockingford County was the show stealer. He ensured everything goes as per itinerary and he was like the conductor of the great symphony we played in Reidsveille. Thanx also to greg, brent, myra and others.

We were picked by Graham Rotary thereafter. While i and sourav is in Graham, the rest are in Burlington. Tomorrow we have a presentation and its now Shruti's turn.

We had a good wine tasting party in Autumn Creek Vineyards yesterday night. Dr. Sharda and his wife were gracious to arrange samosa and alu chop for us. They r from India / Kenya and now based in Greensboro. Today morning we went to Virginia for shopping. Then we had joint rotary meeting in Whistling Jacket (4 clubs) at Eden. Then we went to Chinco Pen Plantation and had a chilly trip. Today the weather is 4 degree and windy. We would have frozen without room heaters.

Tomorrow we move to next place.

Yesterday we had a amazing party hosted by Frank and Gloria Zulauf. There were 15 in all and the food was mix of American and India. The Cigars, the Wines and the pool table in basement made for heady cocktail, for some too heavy i suppose! When it broke at 12, we were all at our knees.

Today we had a good workout in Reidsveille YMCA followed by a buffet sumptuous lunch. Then we had a long trip of Awg Wipes plant understanding manufacturing process of various wipes. It was then followed by a leisurely drive in Reidsveille Fishing Lake and Park and then some coffee. The coffee shop actually served some amazing oatmeal raisin cookies which were oven fresh and yummy. We now proceed to joint Rotary social in Autumn Creek Vineyard for Dineer.

In reidsveille

Today was a lazy day. Tom arranged for a special presentation in his basement for his family and friends. It seems we r answering more on Nano, Slumdog and Tak Hotel incident than anything else. Everywhere people loves a bit of spice and titillation in news. So very indian. we are different but again so very similar.

We again had lunch in C&H in Kernesveille and then moved to Reidsveille. I am staying with the Zulauf's. Everybody with host families is having a party of Chicken Rotisserie in their place. Gloria is a amazing lady. sporty, fun and pragmatic. Looking forward for good time in reidsveille.

Today Saturday we went to Reylan Vineward and winery. It was a good trip to know finer nuances of wines how to taste them. The difference between white / red / mellow / sparkling and dark. Forsyth Rotary arranged it and Happy Martin arranged for some great sandwiches for lunch in the winery. Everybody came back with their mementos of Reylan and then we assembled in Happy's wonderful home in Sanopa just beside the river in the afternoon to assimilate the photos.

Tonight NCU is playing Villinavo in the semis. Need to catch that at 8.30 PM. Ann, we r gunning for NCU. I am blogging while Tom is fixing sime Shrimp Chicken Barbecue for me. Good night.

photos

the photos

Today 3rd April, we got a sea off from Walnot Cove Rotarians. They are indeed small and amazingly beautiful. We then proceeded to Kernesvielle. I am putting up with Tom Fitzerald. He is into gourment cuisine, golf, biking and recruiting. Seems like Ann did a pre-marital horoscope matching. Its going to be fun. We had a great presentation in Reynolds club. The questions threw in by the audience showed their interest about India. Mr. Gandhi is playing a great presenter.

Shruti and myself had a great tour to Vovo Trucks. Visiting the 2nd largest truck maker in their american headquarters. Woh. We each actually managed to drive a few mile of the green monstrous 49 tonner Volvo Trucks. Shruti is like a man (err woman) possesed. She has the guts to try out anything. I guess she wont mind if offered to go to space!

Tom fixed great lamb chops for me in dinner. He is a real sport.

Hope the weekend is a bit light. The wineries r calling.

Today it was a cool ay in Walnut Cove. We went for some memento shopping in downtown stores. small knicks knacks but great. We had our lunch in Duke's with Walnut Cove Rotary Club. I had shrimp pasta. Its a small club of 16 members but wonderfully inquisitive. we had a long discussion on the issues of mutual interest like disparity, terrorism etc. And then we went to ZIP LINE. whats that! cant describe. Will only post the pictures tomorrow. Zipping down through the woods on cables. Woh. That was great. If i plan it in Dalma, i need a investment of 1 crore. Lets check whether Rtn. Guru can invest? I can be the manager.

We had a great informal meeting in the den of Debrah. Tomorrow we move to Winston Salem.

Today it was a hearty farewell for all of us from

our 1st host family in Greensboro. They were just all so good that it was difficult for us to accept that we r moving on. Cheers to Steve, Tim, Gordon, Peggy and Charlie. You guys were amazing. Dhanyabad. lekin kabhi albida na kehna.

It was a vocational visit for us in the 1st half. and it was great for the coordinators to team me up with HR Group, a HR consultancy in Greensboro. It was great speaking with Mel Ashbury. We had our big presentation in Greensboro Rotary Club. In presence of 150 members, we thought we had put up a good show. The presentation included something on the cultural as well as the shining face of india. we then moved to kernesville in a super luxury bus. Its 700 sq. ft. premium luxury on wheels with sofas, Plasma TV's, coke makers, bed and bath. Awesome would be an understatement. We had a long trip of kernesville city and the famous buildings therein. Mostly last century stuff. So not much history!

We had dinner in C&H cafeteria and i guess we all messed it up. took more than we can eat. The large helpings, we r not used to, i guess! Moved to 30 mile upnorth in Walnut Cove then at 8 PM. A more beautiful Shimla I thought. More on the other side of the sunset.