Today I finally got to spend some quality time with Arjun. He picked me up for lunch and took me to the Promenade in Vasant Kunj. I spent the entire ride seeing how much I could make him blush and/or giggle. It's so easy to embarrass him.
Arjun wanted to go to this fancy restaurant in the mall next door, where even in India I couldn't afford to shop (Louis Vuitton, Gucci, etc.). However, that restaurant had a ridiculous wait, so we headed over to the more affordable mall next door to get some Italian.
Seeing Arjun was like seeing my long-lost brother. I miss that I don't get to talk to him as often, but am so impressed with the success that he's becoming. Hopefully we'll have more opportunities to hang out before I leave (or if he ever gets it together and comes to the US for a visit!).
It was actually really interesting to talk to him about the logistics of expanding his business. I had no idea how prevalent corruption was in the Indian government, but Arjun said that they basically have to bribe everyone to get anything done. For instance, he got in a car accident on his way to pick me up. A van backed into him, so Arjun called the police. Arjun had to pay the police just to get them to make the man (with the van) pay Arjun for damages. Another example is that Arjun ad his father are expanding their business and buying a bigger space in Noida. Today Arjun was signing paperwork—just paperwork—and he had to pay Rs 100,000 to a politician or minister of something-or-other. I mean, it's just insane.
The rest of the day has been dull, but relaxing. I can't believe I only have 10 days left.
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