Gone Travelin'

So I'm leaving tomorrow for another overseas adventure. This one will be a tale of two cities: Dublin and Hyderabad. While this is a work trip, I still relish the idea of getting out of the country and kicking up my heels in far and distant lands.

First I travel to Dublin for my third visit in as many years. At this point I feel that I have grown accustomed to that city in a small but meaningful way, sort of like a neighbor you see only occasionally but still greet with a friendly hello. I just pray it's not raining this time -- last time I was soaked to my skin a few times as I got caught in downpours. I'm also staying at the lovely Merrion hotel, which I highly recommend to all who visit Dublin. Yes, it's pricey, which is why I also recommend you travel on your company's dime. It's the only way to go.

I've pretty much seen all the tourist sites in Dublin already, which is a good thing since I'll only be there three days this time. You may recall my earlier post on the prison tour I took last time. Anyway, most of my trip will be spent working, the rest in the pubs or perhaps in the hotel pool. I plan to take it easy over there.

Then it's on to Hyderabad, a city brimming with people speaking with fake American accents on the phone to clients in Texas who can't get their Dell computer to turn on, or helping others with their tax returns, and everything in between. I've never been to Hyderabad, although I've been to India at least a dozen times (I'm from the north....don't often go south of Delhi). I'm looking forward to it.

Of course, the first few days in India will be spent making the obligatory trips to see relatives. This is both exciting and cool (since I have not seen them in a while), but also has the potential to be awkward and annoying (there might be reasons I have not seen them in a while). Nevertheless I must perform my familial duties and make the rounds, after which I will return to Hyderabad for a week of work in our office there. I'm really looking forward to the office, and the food, and the friends I have not seen in ages.

And if I see any monkeys, I'll be sure to stay away.

The trip back will be long and brutal, but all in all I'll be gone two weeks and it will be worth it (it always is). I'll appreciate home that much more, I'll have gotten my travel fix, and I'll be satisfied that I'm still not too old to go around the world and enjoy myself.