Blend of Different Cultures!!!

Trip to Tana Toraja - Blend of Different Cultures!!!

16 Mar - 5.30 PM we start our trip from Makassar to Tana Toraja.
10 people in the group - All from diffrent regions of the world, coming from the unique cultues in which they have grown and now joined hands as one team as one extended family to be in the place which they must have never thought, dreamt of and now are going for their first weekend trip to see a world famous tradition which cannot be seen anywhere.For sure, each one of the team member is different with the uniquness in its own way but there is some similarity and as said by Tom - Similarity of thinking somewhat similar coz we all are IBMers.
All set ready for the trip, packed with clothes, drinks, eatables, medicines and etcccc.........All taken care of by one or the other. We have our Tour Guide - Oola (Ulla) - name sounds to the famous song of The Dirty Picture - Ollaah Ollaah...Got our maps and an explanation from Oolah about the tradition of Tana Toraja.The Toraja are an ethnic group indigenous to a mountainous region of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Their population is approximately 650,000, of which 450,000 still live in the regency of Tana Toraja ("Land of Toraja").Most of the population is Christian, and others are Muslim or have local animist beliefs known as aluk ("the way"). The Indonesian government has recognized this animist belief as Aluk To Dolo ("Way of the Ancestors"). The word toraja comes from the Bugis language's to riaja, meaning "people of the uplands". The Dutch colonial government named the people Toraja in 1909. Torajans are renowned for their elaborate funeral rites, burial sites carved into rocky cliffs, massive peaked-roof traditional houses known as tongkonan, and colorful wood carvings. Toraja funeral rites are important social events, usually attended by hundreds of people and lasting for several days.
Along with the description of the Tana Toraja from Oolah, our team was having KFC(liked by all, cant comment much, as I have no idea about it), drinks. As we move along with our jokes and pulling each others leg, the journey was getting more and more interesting. Vivek, Arun and myself explained to all about the different head movements of Indians:When asked the direct questions -->Up and Down movement of head generally indicates 'Yes' ; Side to side - 'NO' and most special one is for 'Ok', 'Yes', 'I understand' , 'I agree with you' or 'Acknowledgment' is usually the head 'rocking movement' or kind of slight movement of head with the tilted axis along with the eyes talking which is hard to explain. I understand. We gave some demonstrations of the same. Maybe by the end of the month all of us will be rotating our head in some way. By the way I had read about this Indian Head Movement and I used to laugh that why do people do like this and feel that I don't do it but actually realized that its common in India so nobody made me realize that I also do the same and now when I answer something and Sabine gets confused wether its yes or no, I got it that I am also one of the Indians rotating my head. But the session was good. Next was, we discussed about dances, drinks, some other gestures around the world. Cheryl slept in between, pics taken. Javier slept. then a Toilet Break where Jess took the pics and added to her list of 'Different Types of Toilets'. Dinner time. Good dinner and now a pet questions which me and my team has to ask when we sit to eat something 'Excuse Me - Is this Veg, I mean - No chicken, No fish, No meat, No birds, No bear, No crab, no prawn, No shrimps etccc...' and this is repeated and checked 2-3 times, if there is some veggie food for me. Thanks to my team who help me to check it out.
Sabine's birthday song at 12 in English n German.Back to bus, in between the toilet breaks, trying to sleep or just lie down, chatting about the crazy moments of life, pics of different poses while sleeping and finally reaching the hotel in Tana Toraja at 3.30.
Long drive, but was good.Hotel was good, room was also good and goodnight.. :)

17th March - Breakfast time - It was good. As usual - Bread Butter jam for me.Till others got ready, I had a photo session. Special Thanks to Marcelo for the photo sessions I had and I suppose Thanks to my whole team, as I like taking pics and everybody helps me in that with either iphone, cameras. Thanks all!! and I like it... :))
Now we get back to the bus, and reach the village to see the boat shape houses and the hanging graves. People here give lots n lots of value to death. After a person's death, the body is kept — often for several years — while money is saved to pay for the actual funeral ceremony, known as tomate. During the festival, which may last up to a week, ritual dances and buffalo fights are held, and buffaloes and pigs are slaughtered to ferry the soul of the deceased to the afterlife (puya). The deceased is then finally buried either in a small cave, often with a tau-tau effigy placed in front, inside a hollow tree or even left exposed to the elements in a bamboo frame hanging from a cliff. We actually went to a home, which had a dead body of his mother (old lady) who died 3 months back and her funeral will take place in July. I said to somebody that why do they keep the body for so long, doesnt it remind of that person and makes you feel more sad that he is not there any more. I suppose, we cannot smile or feel sad seeing all this. This was something wherein you cannot comment that what this feeling in actual as I say - No Comment Situation. We all saw Baby Graves as in the baby who dies before their teeth come out. They are just put in the tree and covered so that the mother earth takes back the child and takes care of him/her.
To talk about Tana Toraja --> It has unique culture set in stunning scenery. Globalisation and tourism may have impact, but if we venture away from the tarmac roads we will find soon a way of life that has not changed much in the last 100 years.
My personal perpecive --> Its very different and I understand, this is the culture, tradition which is still intact and alive and thats good but not sure, if I liked this way of living and dying or not but yep, got to see something different which I never heard of it. Did a bit of shopping. Cheryl loves shopping. Good Photo Sessions with the things from the shops. Armour of Jess, Masks and different other things worn by each one of us. We all had just one thing to say while returning back. It was a good trip and a memorable one to be remembered forever.Back to hotel and inspite of being tired all of us were on the pool. Some in the pool and some outside the pool. I feel sad that I dont know swimming and cant go inside but we had fun. We started with the Yoga. Tom, Marcelo, Jess, Vivek , Arun tried 2-3 steps of the yoga in the pool. Ruth, Sabine and myself were outside and doing the same. We did some of the asans - Suryanamskar, Pranyams, Omkar etcc...We all liked it. It was good to do Yoga beside the pool. Next was dances of each country. Sabine taught us Austrian dance and Marcelo said that after he goes to Brazil - he will go for Early Morning Jogging and will do the Austrian Dance.Then we had Boogy Woogy from Vivek, Snobs and something of Phillipines from Ruth, Samba and Cuppaware from Marcelo and finally the Chicken Dance with the advanced level. We still have to work out the strategy how to do the last step of the same. Body was aching but we all enjoyed and this can never be forgotten. And now, here comes the evening dinner - special for our Sabine - Happy bday sweetheart. She was looking like an angel. All smiles. Tom got her some special drink(sorry again - don't know the name). Her special cake. Thankgod we found one, I was really afraid, if we would be able to get one there. Her gift which Ruth got in Makassar. Cap - Candles , Live Song from the Hotel. This was a lovely birthday. We all just hoped that she enjoyed and far away from her home, wished that she did not missed anything. As she said, she loved everything. 24 hours of Happy bday.. :) God bless her with all the smiles.Its almost 9.30 PM. We all are tired but wait, its still not goodnight for us...We get back to the lounge. Some of us having the drinks and here its starts the 'Very Very Hot Seat' Program. Something from each one's life was shared. Inspite of coming from different cultures, different regions of the world, maybe different religions, but there is the similarity in all of us. Feelings are the same all over the world, craving to enjoy the life, to smile, to cry is the same whosoever you are, what so ever you are, where-ever you are. Life needs to be lived and enjoyed. I was thinking, we all are different and we need to be different as all can't be same, different perspective of life, situations, how to tackle the same and here we are together on this assignment to get the one output. Inspite of these differences, just wish that all of us become good friends forever and we will. Would love to be in touch with all even after this assignment gets over. I am sure, we all will change after this assignment - maybe in one way or the other as in way of our thinking, way of our doing things, way of our looking at the things, to do the things. Will change for sure and for good.
Amercians, Europeans, Mexicans, Brazilians, Asians - We all are One!!!
Finally back to room to sleep. Get up in the morning. Breakfast and finally the back home journey. We were tired but still could not stop our pranks and games. Songs, Dances, drinks, pics of sleeping poses, dressing up of Javier while he was asleep - (We had necklace, bangles, small guitar played for him, banana, cap, fan placed over him - Javier was looking cute), different discussions ( I had with Javier over India as he plans to come down for one of his trips - I hope he comes), toilet breaks, lunches, etcc.....Finally in the hotel at 6 PM. All dead tired. No idea, what happened after that, if anybody went out for dinner or something, I was sleeping. But, now saw the pics and posts. I suppose, all of us were back to our college days and maybe this whole month we are college students-trying to live back that life again.One week gone. 3 more weeks left. Not sure, if this is less or more. I am enjoying it. ' I Like it'.

Only word I have is 'Awesome Trip'.

14-March-2012 - Indonesia - My B'Day!!!

Day 3 - 14th March - B'day in Indonesia

The date sounds similar. Hey its my birthday today and I am celebrating my " "th B'day in Indonesia. Its cool. Last night at Indonesian time 12 midnight - Ruth and Vivek came to my room to wish me and after that at 2.40 my brother - bhabhi and mom called up to wish me as per India 12 midnight.. :)
Morning as usual - Get up, get ready - all wished and breakfast as usual - Bread and Butter - Jam, Kopi(Coffee). I like it now as that's the best thing which I will surely get till the last day I am here.

Office as usual - Third time - Scope change - Let's see, if this is the final scope or not. But, now we have to make the Business Plan/Model for the Small End Enterprise - Coastal Region Women.

After sometime, Irma comes and says - We have got Durians. Durian is a type of a fruit - very strong smell. Everybody in the office liked it. Sabine and myself - had a small piece of it but we didnt like it much. But, good, its different and good to know one more fruit.
Getting on back to work. Suddenly at 3 - Irma calls both of us outisde our working room and we see there is a lovely chocolate cake. This was a lovely surprise from these new office friends. Wasn't expecting this. These people are so sweet. How much do I know them. As heard about Indonesia, that Indonesians are very friendly and lovely - This seems to be the fact which I saw today. They all were clapping. They did sing something in Indonesian Bhasha also. Thanks all of you - Irma, Ochha, Anti, Irham and all!!! Thanks a lot dear!!!

After that back to hotel. In room and got to know there was a team meeting at 7 in our common room - Room 312. I thought that we will go out for the dinner party and I will treat all my friends but when I reached in the Room 312. I saw Javier, Vivek, Ruth, Sabine, Arun present there and there were was pinkish crown kept on the table. There were balloons. Jessica, Cheryl, Tom, Marcelo joining in after some time. I was surprised that when was this all done as everybody had to go to office in the day. This was so lovely and then saw the cake. I have no words for it. As said, pictures say a lot. I will post the pictures and they will talk. Cake, and this team. I don't know to call this as a team or my extended family from all over the world.
Jessica taught us the Chicken Dance. It's so cute to dance like little chickens. Love my team and all of us as chickens. There is so much to write about all what we did. Javier clicking his and my pic when Jessica was all ready with the pose and smile. Anna coming up with the Pizzas and everybody was so happy to have them that Ruth forgot to take the pic which she normally does. Wines, Beer, some other drinks were also there. No idea what else. Javier and me just had the coke. Since, I have no idea about the drinks, not sure all what was there but the party was rocking. Jessica also sang her family Song - Horse's Ass. I need to check back with her again and put it down here..Tom with his bottle opener in the slippers and we have a bad boy who is actually sweet and he is our help desk Vivek. Lovely Sabine, she just loves to sing and sing and sing. She has sweet voice and has good knowledge about music. Javier is always on his phone. I suppose its iphone and he clicks lovely pics. Ruth - wow awesome height. Standing close to her makes you feel that you didnt drink the Complan/Bournvita when you were a kid and have remained small. Like me, wants to have her pics clicked but she is photogenic. Love Cheryl - She is b'ful and very sweet to talk to. Arun wants to go on a ferry. I relaly wish his wish of going over a ferry gets fulfilled. Marcelo, our guitar guy who didnt get his guitar, will be singing something tomorrow. Want to say one thing - Everybody is so b'ful and helpful here. God you are so great to make people and let me meet those who are so good.
Then we sat to plan out for our weekend trips. Everybody was so tired and we were going round and round and round to close it. Not sure, if its already closed or not..
We plan to go out tomorrow night as Anna will be leaving on Friday!!!

Thanks IBM - CSC, Thanks to my lovely extended family to make my day! You are the Best!!!Love you all!!!

Here I start with my dreams - First Step !!!

Last 2 weeks have been hectic, exciting. Closing up with the office work, completing the assignments given to us. Back-ups, Manuals, Process docs, so many things. I know, even if I am there or not there, work can be managed but maybe working, owning some of the tasks, feeling my work as my baby sometimes gave me a fear, that how will they be managed, wishing if I could work from there also. So, I decided to create the process docs/user manuals so that my team members don't have to face any issues and troubles.

Now, here I sit on the Indira Gandhi International Airport waiting for the trip to start, talking with friends, surfing internet. Trying to connect to WECM so that can close some of my office emails. I had to buy Internet for an hour + charging the laptop was a big time issue (had to search for the workable plug).

So many things going in my mind, what will happen tomorrow, how is this 1 month going to be. Will I be able to manage, will I give my best. Butterflies in the stomach. There are expectations from our Seniors since we are representing IBM. Wish to exceed all...
Also, looking forward for this trip as so many things are planned. Hope, everything is materialized. Also, this 1 month is like a break from this daily routine, which I am looking forward for myself to think that how do I want to steer it going ahead. One year has been full of ups and down from all the sides. I have tried to keep that smiling face ( or as my Manager says - Funny Bone) up always, but this cannot go forever. I have to do something and will do something. This one month is very impt for me as a person. I have to put on my thinking cap...

Will put down something later tomorrow. Thinking cap on for next 7 hours...Time for boarding..

Keep Smiling
:)
Happy Journey Nitu and All the Best!!! Do well...

Packing n Packing!!!

Gosh....!!!
No other words...I suppose, this was the fourth time, I was reviewing my luggage.
But, good thing is each time, I reduce atleast 1 dress. Good part is not much but some grams get reduced.

Now, why this packing.... I am leaving for my CSC Assignment about which I already explained in my previous post. This is an IBM Assignment - Corporate Service Corps.
I will be travelling to Indonesia (Makasaar) for a month. Its a team of 10 IBMers from all over the world. We will be representing IBM there and we have to give our best to do the best. We have to get the results with our team work.

My assignment is to work with "Indonesia-Marine Conservation Foundation". Will post about my assignment and details in my next post. As of now, just an high level overview - The objective is to "To improve the knowledge and skills of YKL staff and community groups in project management & business planning".

I am so excited and looking forward for this trip. So many things going in my mind + its come on such a good time for myself. Break from the daily routine work. I realized that I haven't taken a single day vacation in last one year. Let's get back to the list of my To-Do and Packing.. :)

This will help me to understand the world, the people, the market, the cultures and most important - Myself. This is a community-based assignment wherein we will be performing community-driven economic development projects working at the intersection of business, technology, and society. I am sure, after this - there will be a different Nitu. Awaiting for the same.

See you soon!!!!

My Assignment - My Zoe - IBM's Corporate Service Corps (CSC) - Indonesia

The Corporate Service Corps (CSC) Program, inspired by the Peace Corps, increases IBM's understanding and appreciation of growth markets while creating global leaders who are culturally aware and possess advanced teaching skills.

The Corporate Service Corps offers a triple benefit:
a. Leadership development for the IBMers
b. Leadership training and development for the communities
c. Greater knowledge and enhanced reputation in the growth markets for IBM.

The Corporate Service Corps was launched in 2008 to help provide IBMers with high quality leadership development while delivering high quality problem solving for communities and organizations in emerging markets. The program empowers IBM employees as global citizens by sending groups of 10 - 15 individuals from different countries with a range of skills to an emerging market for four week community-based assignments. During the assignment, participants perform community-driven economic development projects working at the intersection of business, technology, and society.

This program increases IBM's understanding and appreciation of growth markets while creating global leaders who are culturally aware and possess advanced teaching skills. The Corporate Service Corps offers a triple benefit: leadership development for the IBMers, leadership training and development for the communities, and greater knowledge and enhanced reputation in the growth markets for IBM.