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| This is not our flat |
Things in India are
pretty much two steps forward and one step back, but I guess that’s India. It
is an amazing place and when it’s good, it’s really good. When it’s bad
it’s horrid. Yesterday I watched an elephant taking people for rides in
my neighbourhood; that was fun. I have had a cold ever since I arrived
and the weather has been quite chilly, but getting warmer now.
We are in short
term accommodation (old flat in lovely location) and looking for something more
modern. We’ve seen some lovely places
and made some offers but not getting anywhere. The latest setback is that
the flat we have chosen is new and the owner will not sign the lease until it the
electricity meter is officially connected.
When will this happen? Who
knows? Meanwhile we don’t want to wait
around and risk him getting a higher offer.
Our furniture arrives next week and we have given notice to leave our
current flat so we have to continue looking just in case. When we finally move I will begin to feel more
settled.
We have a part
time cook/cleaner and she has stocked the cupboards with all manner of strange
spices. The food is exciting and we are enjoying it. We have been
exploring the local markets and our new fridge is gradually filling up though I
tend to stick to the supermarkets that stock European foods (and Tim tams ;)
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| Street Vendor (courtesy Josh) |
We have seen
some wonderful sights, lots of temples, parks, markets, animals and multitudes
of all kinds of people. I am learning to cope with the beggars and the
disabled, the chaos on the roads but still struggling with the Bentleys and
Jaguars parked next to piles of rotting rubbish. There are lots of green spaces in Delhi, most
with ancient tombs and some with lakes.
We are hoping to live near ‘Deer Park’ which actually has roaming deer along
with the more usual roaming dogs, cows, squirrels and monkeys.
Jeff is really
enjoying work and life and I’m getting there even it if my pace is a little
slower. I have joined the international ex-pat club and the Aussie one
too and been on a couple of outings. Today I went to a garden fete at the
British High Commissioner’s residence and had coffee with some other expats. We have made friends with our upstairs
neighbours who are ‘30 something’ Danes and we have been out with some of the
IKEA people too. People are generally
really friendly, locals and expats alike.
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| Humayam's Tomb Gardens (courtesy Josh) |
Some things in
life do not change. Last Sunday Jeff lost
a filling and consequently had to visit a dentist. The only thing different is the cost. If you need major dentistry it is definitely affordable,
but the people you see in the street here do not seem to be taking advantage of
these benefits. Costs are all relative and
we are very fortunate. Whilst in the dentist’s
waiting room I had my first ‘expat’ moment. A British woman came in with her son and we recognised each other from an expat coffee
Morning. She (Eve) even remembered my name. Question: In a city of how many
millions what are the chances of bumping into someone you know? Answer: very high if you live in an expat
community. However, it was good and
hopefully the first of many different and varied moments that will lead to me
feeling at home here.
Next week I am going
along to the American Embassy School to join the volunteer group teaching the
local street children English. I hope that this will make me feel a bit
more part of things instead of standing on the outside looking in. It may
even lead to some more work.
Namaste
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