Ok, let's try to describe a bit of what we had to endure yesterday when we arrived at the organizing and registration area. I'm not an official delegate for this conference. That's left for the wise ones (from all parts of the world) who specialize in the intricacies of Mining Engineering. This is after all the Ninth International Mine Ventilation Congress. My knowledge of this particular discipline, I must admit, is rather limited, but that doesn't bar me from taking part in some of the activities, as long as I register for them.
We arrived at registration and found a room where there were at least ten people all eager to help us. It wasn't long though before we noticed that all the 'helpers' were men. I'm not sure whether this is a reflection of some cultural reality in this part of the world (which might very well be the case) but I do know that this illustrious group looked very important.
As we approached the Events desk to inquire about registering for the Evening Cultural Events which were scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and for the Partners' Program (sightseeing in Delhi for Thursday), we were unaware that we had actually been introduced to a very important part of the Office of Complicating Very Simple Things. Some people have worked in this office OCVST for a very long time, and may very well have been promoted to the position of Manager of Corporate Affairs.
Needless to say, it was more than a curious dance that unfolded as one man tried to communicate with another, a third chimed in with his advice, and yet a fourth was required in order to find the necessary documentation so that we could have written proof (just in case) that we had actually registered for the intended events, and paid the relevant fees.
The process of registering for these events, and paying the necessary fees should probably have taken just a few moments, but in the end, this was a complicated process that we endured for the better part of an hour.
Some of the friends with whom I am travelling know about this blog, and indeed as we encounter strange and particular happenings along the way, they tend to just look my way and we all exclaim, 'BLOG'. Oh, what would I do with a Blackberry? Imagine the reports that would arrive in cyberspace if I could produce these reflections on the spot!
As the evening drew near, we were taken courtesy of the organized buses to the location where a special cultural evening had been planned, including the music of the sitar and tabla, and the talents of one of India's most recognized dancers (whose name escapes me right now, since I don't have the documentation right in front of me). This was indeed a very informative experience, as the performers took time to explain some of the various steps and movements involved in the dance. When the time arrived for the instrumental portion, the music lulled us to complacency, a wonderful gift that we all received prior to sharing a banquet that had been prepared for us.
Music to feed the soul and the body. Indian culture has perfected both, and we are the happy benefactors of their hard work, at least for the next couple of days.
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