Do we see nice people everyday?

I met a lot of amazing people on my first official trip ever since I joined my new job in India (1st August 2012). One scientist from NBFGR (National Bureau of Fish Genetics Resource) was communicating with me since last year. He was in touch with me constantly and was very keen on collaboration.So, he along with his director invited me to visit the Institute and discuss collaborative options. I landed in the serene campus at around 9 PM on 23rd Sept 2012. Dr.Pradhan was waiting along with a driver. They picked me up and dropped in the guest house.The first thing that caught my attention was the nice and wide roads. The airport was also small and cozy and nice. I have never visited Lucknow,but somehow carried a poor picture of the state UP because it was constantly governed by lousy parties. I saw few of the Mayawati parks on my way to the guest house. The campus houses and the guest houses had nice pebbly exterior, that did not require and painting. One of the houses just in front of my room was decorated with real plants in the balcony,making it a very pretty sight. Next day on my casual walk, I saw luxuriously green Amla trees full of Amlas. Then there were peacocks - very beautiful ones. Food in the guest house was regular but nice. Chai was always available. I went to visit the labs and then made project presentations and discussion and retreated to my room at about 4 PM. Had really sometime to myself, so that I could stroll in the campus and took pictures. Caught some beautiful peacocks strolling on the roads carefree. It made a really pretty sight... I found a palatial house in the campus that belonged to the director, who happened to be an Oriya person. I planned to take pictures, but could not do that because it was already dark. The next day, I was taken to one of the nicest aquarium they had in the campus.Many exotic fishes were there. Then we went back and met  the director again and this time he actually invited me to his house for dinner, although he was not going to be there!! It immediately sounded very exciting.Yesterday while passing by the house, I may have secretly wanted to enter into the campus and see how it is - and lo and behold, I got an invitation..We reached their house at around 8.15 PM and it was very nice there. Director's wife is one of the nicest women I have ever met, very simple and down to earth. While talking we discovered that, they lived very close to my parental house in Bhubaneswar and her son knew my cousin's son. So it was instant bonding She had cooked a variety of nice vegetarian food for us and it was a very delightful evening. She then showed me her nice kitchen garden with lots of interest. This again strengthens my faith in my future gardening company since so many people out there are actually interested in growing a garden.

Today I am coming back to Kolkata and with loads of good feeling about everyone I interacted the last 2 days. The campus was something that I could stay for ever and take pictures. It was a very delightful trip I have had that I will remember for the rest of my life..Photos coming...