Who Can Really Say?

Friday night -- my second Friday night -- has finally arrived, and I'm nearly finished packing, nearly ready to leave. I'm hoping to catch some six hours of sleep tonight but it really doesn't matter. In less than twelve hours the time vortex known as international jet travel will begin to play it's nasty tricks on me again. It is what it is.

It was a day of change in the office here, as one of my oldest friends from the Hyderabad office left the company today for a new opportunity. I was lucky to be here to say farewell for now to Utkarsh, and to wish him the best in his endeavors -- I'm sure he'll succeed in all things.

There was a small appreciative going away party for him and I grabbed a shot of the team here. Wonderful people, each and every one. Left to right, Deepali, Tamisra, Nishitha, Pavithra, Idris, Utkarsh, Srujana, Swaroopa, Vamsi, Sujan, Hari, and Sunil.

While walking back from lunch with Sunil I took this picture of a courtyard in another building on the campus. I was struck by the shadows cast by the canopy -- I'd seen this spot earlier in the trip but at that time the shadows weren't aligned to allow the picture I saw in my mind. This one turned out just right.

Everyone in the office has been very kind to me, complimenting my photographs, and several budding photographers wanted to talk to me about shooting and show me their pictures. And they had some really nice shots! Apparently when I've shared photos in the past with Utkarsh he has passed them around the office. Hari has one of my Block Island sunsets as his wallpaper -- I use that shot sometimes too. Anyway, maybe the best compliment I received was when some folks didn't recognize the photo above, saying they've walked by that spot many times but never saw it that way before. I think that's a special way to praise a photograph and I truly appreciate it.

And so my time is up. As I end each trip I never know if or when I'll ever return but I always feel privileged and blessed for each chance I have to visit India.