I’m so excited to be heading home for two weeks to enjoy America’s Independence Day with family and friends! Here are the things I’m looking toward to most when I’m home.
1. Time with my kids: I can’t wait to sit around the bonfire with them on the beach and just chat about things, listen to them play their music and hear their laughter. Time with family is very special and we often take it for granted.
I blogged in the past about renting a beautiful apartment in Gurgaon, but it unfortunately hasn’t been all roses. I’m currently in a big dispute with my landlord, and the situation is quickly escalating.
The problem is due to the high cost of my electricity bills. My first bill was about 30,000 rupees, or about $450 USD. Frankly I wasn’t all that surprised. My flat is about 2000 sq ft and has 5 separate AC units. None of them work correctly. I also run an air purifier and there is a ceiling fan in every room. On top of this Indian homes are not insulated or very energy efficient. I have big gaps in the sliding glass doors where I can feel hot air pouring in. So, I assume these are all contributing factors to the high electric bills.
DetailsI returned from my road trip to Mussorie this weekend to hear the sad news that an Indian friend of mine had passed away from a brain tumor. He was the project manager for our client and I worked beside him every day. I’m just shocked and heartbroken! I want very much to attend his…
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I realize I’m guilty of bitching about things over here so it’s high time I share some more things with you that I appreciate about India. There are many special things that I like about India, and here are my top seven.
I know it’s corny, but I love my boyfriend, Kirti, very much. I never expected to find love in India. The best I hoped for was maybe a companion and a little fun. But four months into our relationship we are very much in love, in spite of significant cultural differences. He is adventurous, funny, smart, and compassionate. Kirti has made a huge difference in my life and has made my adjustment to life in India much easier. I am thankful for him every day! I guess you never know when and where love might strike, so keep an open mind.
There are so many cool places to visit over here! From mountains to beaches to ancient forts and spectacular temples, it is all incredible!! Plus it is very close to so many other countries that there are endless possibilities for vacations and it’s hard to narrow it down. Soon I hope to visit Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, maybe even Africa.
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After spending over six months in India, oh how I miss my local Safeway, Trader Joes and Whole Foods Market! There is a grocery store across the highway from my apartment complex but just getting there puts my life in danger, and I’m not kidding! Grocery shopping in India is a risky business. There is…
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After living and working in India for 6 months now, I can tell you that much of the time I feel like everything is just a big hassle here. Getting things accomplished in India requires a lot of patience, and those that know me best, know that is not one of my best traits. Nothing, even the simplest things, are ever easy! Here are some of many examples.
We opened a corporate account with a local telecom carrier so that we could more easily make changes to our plans. This would give us the option for “post paid”, versus pre paid, meaning they would bill us for our data usage instead of having to pay up front. Initially they asked for about 10 documents, such as articles of incorporation, a letter of explanation on company letterhead, copy of the directors passport, etc. Each page of every document had to be stamped and signed. After jumping through all these hoops we finally successfully opened an account. A few days later I went into the store to make some changes to our data plans only to find out that I have to provide originals of all those documents EVERY time we want to make any changes.
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Last weekend we headed out on another road trip, this time to Jim Corbett National Park, which is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, India. The park was established in the year 1936 and is India’s oldest National Park.They have a wildlife and tiger reserve there and I’m still on a quest to see a tiger in the wild before I leave India. As is the case with life, the journey was every bit as interesting as the destination.
The park is located at the foothills of the Himalayas and It took us about 7 hours by car to travel the 250 kilometers. We drove through a number of small villages and towns, including Ramnagar and Muradabad. I’ve been in India for 6 months now but the things I see on the roads still fascinate me!
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I’m writing this not because I seek pity or help, but just out of sheer honesty, in hopes that it may offer encouragement to anyone else feeling the same, regardless of the place or circumstances. I know this too will pass, as all periods of sadness do, but lately I just miss home, my friends…
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It is called “Incredible India” for a reason. Every day I learn something new about this place, or see something fascinating. Sometimes it’s entertaining, other times disturbing, but it always interesting!
1. The Hindi language is beautiful and much easier to learn to speak than it is to read and write. There are many English words that don’t have a corresponding Hindi word, so they often mix the two languages. For example, the phrase “Good idea” is “Acha idea hay” in Hindi.
2. Healthcare is ridiculously cheap over here. I was having some abdomen pains so they did an ultra sound of all my organs. The total cost was $35 USD! And they sent me out the door with the physical X Ray films.
3. It is standard practice to give 2 to 3 months notice when leaving a current employer, and often they will buy them back. It makes hiring over here a real challenge.
4. Unmarried Indian couples often have a difficult time renting a room in a hotel or resort due to the conservative beliefs of society. Sometimes they are even harassed or harmed for trying. Rarely do people live together before marriage.
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Learn about the remote and fascinating Indian villages of Kasol, Malana and Tosh, located high in the Himalya Mountains
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