Well, I took the hotel by storm. I’m the modern day equivalent of Sherman taking Atlanta and these guys just don’t quite know what to think of me. (Sherman… wonder how looked in pink?!) I get out of the car calling for Balu and Murgan and then looking for Deepak in the café… They’re not in yet (after all, it’s just a bit after 5am) – but these ‘new faces’ certainly know I’ve arrived ‘HOME’… The new duty manager behind the counter thinks twice but then says it: “You, ma’am. You are not like other American women. You are much friendly.” And so my stay begins at the lovely Lalit Ashok.

Dawn has not even begun to break and I am sitting by the pool enjoying a cappuccino. Though the sun has not yet shown itself, the birds have anticipated its arrival and their siren wails signal an early welcome to the day. It always feels like spring here. It’s cool (but not January-in-Tennessee ‘cool’…) and despite my Under Armor ColdGear the breeze is a bit chilly and I hope the sun comes soon to warm me up.

The traffic seems to be stirring in the five minutes it has taken to finish off this coffee. The toot of the horns mixed in with my calling birdies reminds me I’m home. I have a few hours until my first meeting, so for the first time ever I’m looking at the spa treatments here at the hotel… Someone back home recommended an Ayurvedic treatment where warm oils are poured over your forehead. I will report back after the experience – if I don’t drown in the process.