I've not had time these past 2-3 days to blog.....there have been too many things to do, i haven't had time.
Its been very hectic to say the least. I had quite forgotten how slowly the wheels turn over here. People are very courteous and happy and cheerful but in no hurry to get things done. The typical response is "Sab ho jayega sahib"...or "it will all get done sir".... On one hand its a refreshing change from the fast paced "get it done now" efficiency I got used to back in Seattle, on the other hand its darn frustrating. There must be a happy medium....
We've been going back and forth between the rental house, the furniture store, the customs office and our house here. So many details to figure out in so short a time....we asked for the rental house to be cleaned....they cleaned the floors and left!!! So we had to go back and have them dust it and sweep it and polish it and scour it. Then in order to get the phone connection we have to provide some sort of proof of residency, so for that one has to get a ration card...but for a ration card one has to show something else....and on and on and on. But eventually it all gets done. Patience is the key! Sadly i've never been known for my patience!
On the flip side there are some things that are fantastic - the food for one! To say its awesome is an understatement! Indian food in the US is nothing like Indian food in India....which i guess makes sense since Italian food in the US is nothing like Italian food in the Italy and so on. The flavors, the varieties, the spices, the vegetables.....so incredibly delicious! 8 of us had lunch at a really good restaurant yesterday for Rs 1100, or $28!!!!! Chinese, Mexican, Pizza, Italian, Indian...you name it, its there. You can go to Yo China ( a new fast food Chinese take out place) and get a large popcorn tub full of noodles for Rs. 25...thats 60 cents! That just doesn't seem possible!!! Another surprise was the availability of superb household products. With all the hype about how things have changed in this country, I guess i really shouldn't be surprised. We stopped by a home showroom yesterday and i was amazed at all that's available...in fact we have had to redo our house plans after seeing all that's possible. In the afternoon, we went to a Home Expo sort of thing and it was fascinating. From cooking ranges to metal art to tandoor/roti makers to clothing to housewares....it was just way too much fun. Had it not been for the fact that we are in a rental home for a year, i would have bought all kinds of cool stuff.
As far as getting settled in the rental house, we've ordered our frig which will be delivered today. We bought some furniture which will also be delivered today. Our personal belongings which came by container will be delivered tomorrow if everything goes well at customs today....so as of now move in day will likely be Wednesday. We were supposed to meet one of the persons from the architect's office today at 11.30am....so since R was occupied with customs, I got there and waited till about 12.15 for him. Finally in disgust i gave up and went home...he called a few minutes later to say he had been delayed due to the heavy rain and we would have to reschedule. I was so mad....delayed 45 minutes due to rain?????? I called the office and spoke to his boss and didn't get any kind of apology from him either which made me madder...i found out later from talking to another friend of mine that being late is the norm. Get used to it she said!!!!!!!!!!!!
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