Friday, September 7, 2018
Bombay
Doing Damage Control!
Namaste from Bombay!
Today was all about setting my banking error corrected! But, at the end of it, I actually got down to doing some research work. Finally!!! I have all the tools in place to begin working. And it felt so goooooood!
Awaking at 4.30 am, I checked and responded to email and wrote a new blog post. Oh, I also did some reading. I am enjoying quite enormously the murder mystery by Anthony Horowitz, The Word Is Murder, who is one of my favorite mystery writers--God knows I've watched enough of his work on screen (Foyle's War, Midsomer Murders, etc). Plus I had loved his novel The Magpie Murders. As always, his novels are cast in the most interesting formats. In this one, the narrator, a murder mystery writer, is commissioned to write a biography of a retired Metropolitan Police detective. As part of the research for this assignment, he shadows this detective on his attempts to find the perpetrator of a new murder that has rocked London. Best of all, the novel is set in my favorite city in the world and I am absolutely loving the journey of the protagonists are they travel from South Kensington to Acton to Hounslow to Piccadilly to Shepherd's Bush to Brick Lane, etc. It is like the geography of the city of London is unfolding before my very eyes as I picture them on their jaunts through areas with which I am intimately familiar--one of the characters actually lives in Farringdon (where I had lived, ten years ago). It feels almost as if I am re-visiting the London of my last year-away-from-New York-opportunity during the time when I have another year-away-from-New York-opportunity!
At 7.00 am, I got ready to face my day. I washed, made my bed, got breakfast organized (all super fast as I had to leave my studio quickly). Today it was coffee and an absolutely delectable chicken sandwich from RTI (a Parsee bakery near Bandra Station) which friends had given Dad and which he shared with me. Scrumptious! Then I raced through a shower and left my studio to take a rickshaw at 8.35 am to the home of my cousin Veera to leave a fresh check for her so that the real estate agent to whom she introduced me can be paid. I sat with her for about 15 minutes and then left. Once again, I apologized for any inconvenience I had caused.
My next port of call was going to be my bank, but I had about 20 minutes to play with before the bank opened. I decided, therefore, to go and check up on my cousin Ruby and see how she was doing. She lived just a ten minute walk away. Ruby, who was doing poorly just a few days ago, has made a dramatic come-back. She looked and felt so much better and was thrilled that the medication she is taking for a skin ailment seems to be working. I spent about 15 minutes with her and left.
I still had about 20 minutes on my hands--and so I walked through Chimbai Road, past the East Indian fishing village that faces the sea, assailed by the smells of freshly-caught fish changing hands as Catholic women went about food shopping for the day. Imagine, if you can, Cornish housewives getting to the beach at Newlyn or Padstow or Mousehole each morning as the fresh catch comes in, to bargain with the fishermen for their day's supper. And then transfer that image to a Bombay morning in a (formerly) Catholic suburb and you get the picture.
I was at the bank when it opened and with the help of one of the most charming and helpful bankers ever, named Bhavya Kotian, I got my work done in a jiffy. Would that all bankers were as obliging and willing to help as she is! My wire transfer got done in minutes and I felt the kind of lifting of a burden from my chest that is hard to describe.
I stopped at my Dad's place then, as it was only across the road and visited with him and my brother Russel for a little while. And then I left and returned to my studio. I got completely caught up with a long phone discussion with Alden, my Dad's TV techie, who walked me through the paces of buying a new TV set. At the end of this purchase, I am going to become such an expert on the pros and cons of owning a TV set and on its capabilities that I might well write another book! Needless to say, I am still baffled about whether to go in for a second hand 'semi-smart tv' for Rs. 18,000 which will need an Amazon Firestick to make it start (Rs. 5,000) or whether I should simply buy a smart TV for about Rs. 45,000! Decisions, decisions, decisions!
At lunch time, I stopped to eat from a new tiffin I received today: Goan Shrimp Curry, Gherkins with Coconut and Onion, Elbow Macaroni Indian Style, Spicy Soya (?) Mash. I had washed the containers and dried them earlier and set them aside. There was such a vast quantity of food that will easily see me into the next three days. And it is delicious! So, food-wise, I am in a very good place!
After lunch, I continued reading and took a short nap. I had to wait for the internet guys to come and tweak something they had set up yesterday. They eventually showed up at 3.00 pm and did the job in a matter of minutes. Now that I am all set and secure, I feel much lighter in mind and spirit. Now all I have to do is get an appropriate TV set for my needs.
From 4.000pm onwards, I finally got down to doing some work. My initial work will involve reading and that I can now do at home by accessing online articles and books from the bibliography I had created when I put my Fulbright research proposal together. I began by reading online articles on the origins of Parsee Theater in Bombay. I continued for about two hours--so I did make a start with my research work and I was so pleased about that. As I told my professor friend Celia who called me in the morning, the entire NYU library plus the Bodleian libraries are now digitalized--so I can access all sorts of material without leaving my studio at all. I hope to continue with my preliminary reading over the weekend and then in earnest from Monday onwards.
In the evening, at 6.00 pm, I left my studio to walk across to spend some time with my dad and Russel before we left for the 7.00 pm Mass. I was delighted to be asked to serve as Lector and do the Reading from St. Paul to the Corinthians. Dad and I and a friend of his named Flavia walked back together after Mass, parted company at my Dad's gate as I returned to my studio. At the entrance to my building, I met a neighbor named Ambreen who was friendly and sweet and welcomed me to the building. How cool is that? I had my dinner while doing some more reading--thank heavens for my downloaded book from my Fairfield Public Library and for my IPad which is now acting as a Kindle. I went to bed at 10.00 pm much lighter of mind that I had been yesterday at this time.
Until tomorrow, ...
Friday, September 7, 2018
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Going Swimmingly..until a Banking Crisis Hits
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Bombay
Going Swimmingly...until a Banking Crisis Hits!
Namaste from Bombay!
Waking up to another day at Silly o'Clock (about 4.35 am), I got down to email responses and blogging. I also spoke at length to Llew (a most soothing conversation as he set so many of my anxieties at rest--as he always does).
Breakfast was birschersmuesli which I am routinely enjoying. Then, I dressed and walked to Bandra Gymkhana, about five minutes away, where I have an annual membership. It was great to see old faces and old friends in the gym where I worked out for over an hour using the elliptical machine and the stationary bike. I felt so good to be back in the swing of things before the personal assistant on duty asked for my payment receipt. I thought I had a year-long gym membership but it turns out mine expired in March! To renew it, I will have to wait till October 1 as the membership is done quarterly. I suppose I shall have to walk in Jogger's Park or on the Carter Road Promenade for the next month.
Back home, I showered and returned to my laptop when the crisis hit. I received a phone call that brought to my attention the fact that I have inadvertently been writing checks out from an outdated checkbook. Dad's poor eyesight was the culprit as he had been holding on to all my banking papers and he gave me the wrong one by mistake. Meanwhile, the cash was sitting in my account and I kept wondering why no one was cashing the checks I had written--many big ones associated with my studio rent. Good God! What a crisis to be plunged in. I called Dad, he began frantically looking through his papers and found the right, current, valid checkbook. I made a trip to his place to pick it up and also went to the bank to carry out a couple of banking chores.
By then it was lunch time. I took a quick nap and continued reading Prince Charles by Sally Bedell Smith as I waited for the internet service techies to come in and adjust the work they have accomplished yesterday which was not properly done. I spent the entire afternoon waiting...but nothing happened and no one came! I had a pot of tea and continued reading (thank goodness for my book or I would go mad with boredom!).
I then had to write emails apologizing to those to whom I had issued wrong checks and had to make plans for handing over the correct checks to each of them personally tomorrow! This banking crisis has put me in a real tail spin and caused so much additional leg work for me!!! However, it was entirely my fault, so I have to bear the consequences of it. Thankfully, my landlord has been very understanding and has emailed me the way I should now make the money available to him through a bank wire transfer which I shall do first thing tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, when evening came, I went to church with Dad for the 7.00 pm Mass which in this country takes a whole hour. It gets over at 8.00 pm or later. I might have to try going to a morning mass (perhaps 7.00 am as I do wake up early anyway). Back home, I had my dinner and went to bed early. I find myself fading by 10.00 pm (as I wake up so early).
What can I say? It was a day of unpleasant and very nasty surprises and I was not a happy camper at the end of it.
Until tomorrow...
Bombay
Going Swimmingly...until a Banking Crisis Hits!
Namaste from Bombay!
Waking up to another day at Silly o'Clock (about 4.35 am), I got down to email responses and blogging. I also spoke at length to Llew (a most soothing conversation as he set so many of my anxieties at rest--as he always does).
Breakfast was birschersmuesli which I am routinely enjoying. Then, I dressed and walked to Bandra Gymkhana, about five minutes away, where I have an annual membership. It was great to see old faces and old friends in the gym where I worked out for over an hour using the elliptical machine and the stationary bike. I felt so good to be back in the swing of things before the personal assistant on duty asked for my payment receipt. I thought I had a year-long gym membership but it turns out mine expired in March! To renew it, I will have to wait till October 1 as the membership is done quarterly. I suppose I shall have to walk in Jogger's Park or on the Carter Road Promenade for the next month.
Back home, I showered and returned to my laptop when the crisis hit. I received a phone call that brought to my attention the fact that I have inadvertently been writing checks out from an outdated checkbook. Dad's poor eyesight was the culprit as he had been holding on to all my banking papers and he gave me the wrong one by mistake. Meanwhile, the cash was sitting in my account and I kept wondering why no one was cashing the checks I had written--many big ones associated with my studio rent. Good God! What a crisis to be plunged in. I called Dad, he began frantically looking through his papers and found the right, current, valid checkbook. I made a trip to his place to pick it up and also went to the bank to carry out a couple of banking chores.
By then it was lunch time. I took a quick nap and continued reading Prince Charles by Sally Bedell Smith as I waited for the internet service techies to come in and adjust the work they have accomplished yesterday which was not properly done. I spent the entire afternoon waiting...but nothing happened and no one came! I had a pot of tea and continued reading (thank goodness for my book or I would go mad with boredom!).
I then had to write emails apologizing to those to whom I had issued wrong checks and had to make plans for handing over the correct checks to each of them personally tomorrow! This banking crisis has put me in a real tail spin and caused so much additional leg work for me!!! However, it was entirely my fault, so I have to bear the consequences of it. Thankfully, my landlord has been very understanding and has emailed me the way I should now make the money available to him through a bank wire transfer which I shall do first thing tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, when evening came, I went to church with Dad for the 7.00 pm Mass which in this country takes a whole hour. It gets over at 8.00 pm or later. I might have to try going to a morning mass (perhaps 7.00 am as I do wake up early anyway). Back home, I had my dinner and went to bed early. I find myself fading by 10.00 pm (as I wake up so early).
What can I say? It was a day of unpleasant and very nasty surprises and I was not a happy camper at the end of it.
Until tomorrow...
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Another Day Spent Waiting--but Internet Arrives in my Studio
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Bombay
Another Day Spent Waiting--But Internet Arrives in my Studio.
Namaste from Bombay!
I seem to be settling in slowly--but, I repeat, slowly. Things move at a different pace here. Most service workers do not begin their rounds until 11.00 am. Most service providers do not get to their offices until 11.00 am. The early morning, on the other hand, is my most productive time--when 'morning brain' kickstarts my day. So, up at 5.00 am, I began blogging. When done, I had my breakfast (home made birschersmuesli) and decided to go for a walk along the Carter Road Promenade. Since I went out earlier today, there were more walkers and it was far more pleasant (less warm). A lovely breeze played off the Arabian Sea and it made a refreshing companion as it walked by me.
Back home, I showered and changed and spent the rest of the morning reading. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I was being invited to deliver the plenary address at a conference on 'Translation' in Hyderabad in early October. I felt deeply honored. The organizers would provide a return air ticket as well as hospitality for the days of the conference. It is amazing how one minute you have no possibility of ever getting somewhere and the next, you are off to a city that has not even been remotely on your radar. I will be quite delighted to be in Hyderabad again as I have been there only once, decades ago. I remember the magnificent Salar Jung Museum which was one of the best museums I had seen up to that point. I am keen to visit it again as it contains the personal collection of the fabulously wealthy former Nizam of Hyderabad who was an inveterate collector. It was my mother who had told me about the Nizam and his collection and who had suggested that we take a family trip to Hyderabad to see it. There are so many things that I owe my Mum--not least my passion for art and museums. I do so miss her terribly especially when I am in Bombay. How delighted she would have been to have me around again!
I had made all arrangements to get a TV set moved from my friend Shahnaz's place to mine when I realized that since it did not have a remote, I first ought to find out whether or not I can get a replacement. Many calls followed and eventually, the engineer at LG TV Service Center told me that he would pay a visit to Shahnaz's place to test out the TV with his 'service remote'. Sadly, I was not able to get there at the same time as I had an appointment with the carpenter who was coming to install a long towel rod in my bathroom as I have a king sized towel. Shahnaz told me that she would handle it herself.
I also decided to find out why I have had a constant mild headache ever since I moved into this studio. Well, it turns out that I have "paint fumes headache". This is a result of the fact that after this studio was freshly painted, it was all locked up (for security reasons) and the fumes were never given a chance to dry out and escape. That's why they are trapped inside and are taking so long to dissipate. When Shahnaz walked into this room she had an instant attack of coughing and sneezing and had to rush to the balcony for some fresh air--she remained sick for the rest of the evening. Thankfully, I do not to have so intense a reaction and am spared the dizziness and nausea that also accompanies this allergy. But the headache is horrid and I would be glad to get rid of it soon.
I googled further to find out how I could get rid of the smell and discovered that I could light candles (a fire hazard that I am loathe to try ) or put out bowls of soda bicarb (baking soda) to absorb the odor and fumes. My lunch had been delivered (chicken curry, pan rolls filled with minced meat and spinach with lentils). Hence, after lunch, I got dressed and walked to Cheap Jack on Hill Road to get a few household supplies: swabs for the floor, a squeegee for the bathroom, toilet brush and holder, a plastic dome for the microwave oven, a pedal garbage bin with liner and lid for the kitchen, lemon scented candles for the house (they have absolutely no scent, by the way, and cannot be compared with the votive candles we get in the US). From my corner grocery store (that is most conveniently located only a few meters from my building), I bought baking soda and Quaker oats (for my breakfast). I had barely put away my purchases when the calls kept pouring in.
All the servicemen converged on my home at the same time: the carpenter could not find my place so had to be given directions (my Hindi is getting more fluent by the minute!), the internet men arrived with him. However, his towel rod was much too small. I had requested a long one to accommodate my large towel. Since it was so small, I told him not to install it as it did not serve my purpose.
The internet guys got to work. They needed the key to the terrace which my neighbor above me was able to provide them. About an hour or two later, during which I could not get out, their work was done. Another techie had to arrive. He would bring the router and I would be connected. I requested him to come early as I intended to go the the 7.00 pm Mass--which he did. So, there I was taking calls from Shahnaz about the LG techie in her house, dealing with the internet techies in my house and, all the while, trying to figure out how I would make it to Mass on time.
Luckily, I was all connected by 6.30 pm with all my devices on wifi. Off I raced to Mass and then paid a quick visit home to see my brother Russel, drop off laundry, etc. before I left. Back home, I attended to some urgent email (as I was finally online at home!--such a relief), had my dinner while reading the biography of Prince Charles and went to bed at about 10.30 pm.
Hopefully, I will get a TV soon and will also be able to get to work.
Until tomorrow...
Bombay
Another Day Spent Waiting--But Internet Arrives in my Studio.
Namaste from Bombay!
I seem to be settling in slowly--but, I repeat, slowly. Things move at a different pace here. Most service workers do not begin their rounds until 11.00 am. Most service providers do not get to their offices until 11.00 am. The early morning, on the other hand, is my most productive time--when 'morning brain' kickstarts my day. So, up at 5.00 am, I began blogging. When done, I had my breakfast (home made birschersmuesli) and decided to go for a walk along the Carter Road Promenade. Since I went out earlier today, there were more walkers and it was far more pleasant (less warm). A lovely breeze played off the Arabian Sea and it made a refreshing companion as it walked by me.
Back home, I showered and changed and spent the rest of the morning reading. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I was being invited to deliver the plenary address at a conference on 'Translation' in Hyderabad in early October. I felt deeply honored. The organizers would provide a return air ticket as well as hospitality for the days of the conference. It is amazing how one minute you have no possibility of ever getting somewhere and the next, you are off to a city that has not even been remotely on your radar. I will be quite delighted to be in Hyderabad again as I have been there only once, decades ago. I remember the magnificent Salar Jung Museum which was one of the best museums I had seen up to that point. I am keen to visit it again as it contains the personal collection of the fabulously wealthy former Nizam of Hyderabad who was an inveterate collector. It was my mother who had told me about the Nizam and his collection and who had suggested that we take a family trip to Hyderabad to see it. There are so many things that I owe my Mum--not least my passion for art and museums. I do so miss her terribly especially when I am in Bombay. How delighted she would have been to have me around again!
I had made all arrangements to get a TV set moved from my friend Shahnaz's place to mine when I realized that since it did not have a remote, I first ought to find out whether or not I can get a replacement. Many calls followed and eventually, the engineer at LG TV Service Center told me that he would pay a visit to Shahnaz's place to test out the TV with his 'service remote'. Sadly, I was not able to get there at the same time as I had an appointment with the carpenter who was coming to install a long towel rod in my bathroom as I have a king sized towel. Shahnaz told me that she would handle it herself.
I also decided to find out why I have had a constant mild headache ever since I moved into this studio. Well, it turns out that I have "paint fumes headache". This is a result of the fact that after this studio was freshly painted, it was all locked up (for security reasons) and the fumes were never given a chance to dry out and escape. That's why they are trapped inside and are taking so long to dissipate. When Shahnaz walked into this room she had an instant attack of coughing and sneezing and had to rush to the balcony for some fresh air--she remained sick for the rest of the evening. Thankfully, I do not to have so intense a reaction and am spared the dizziness and nausea that also accompanies this allergy. But the headache is horrid and I would be glad to get rid of it soon.
I googled further to find out how I could get rid of the smell and discovered that I could light candles (a fire hazard that I am loathe to try ) or put out bowls of soda bicarb (baking soda) to absorb the odor and fumes. My lunch had been delivered (chicken curry, pan rolls filled with minced meat and spinach with lentils). Hence, after lunch, I got dressed and walked to Cheap Jack on Hill Road to get a few household supplies: swabs for the floor, a squeegee for the bathroom, toilet brush and holder, a plastic dome for the microwave oven, a pedal garbage bin with liner and lid for the kitchen, lemon scented candles for the house (they have absolutely no scent, by the way, and cannot be compared with the votive candles we get in the US). From my corner grocery store (that is most conveniently located only a few meters from my building), I bought baking soda and Quaker oats (for my breakfast). I had barely put away my purchases when the calls kept pouring in.
All the servicemen converged on my home at the same time: the carpenter could not find my place so had to be given directions (my Hindi is getting more fluent by the minute!), the internet men arrived with him. However, his towel rod was much too small. I had requested a long one to accommodate my large towel. Since it was so small, I told him not to install it as it did not serve my purpose.
The internet guys got to work. They needed the key to the terrace which my neighbor above me was able to provide them. About an hour or two later, during which I could not get out, their work was done. Another techie had to arrive. He would bring the router and I would be connected. I requested him to come early as I intended to go the the 7.00 pm Mass--which he did. So, there I was taking calls from Shahnaz about the LG techie in her house, dealing with the internet techies in my house and, all the while, trying to figure out how I would make it to Mass on time.
Luckily, I was all connected by 6.30 pm with all my devices on wifi. Off I raced to Mass and then paid a quick visit home to see my brother Russel, drop off laundry, etc. before I left. Back home, I attended to some urgent email (as I was finally online at home!--such a relief), had my dinner while reading the biography of Prince Charles and went to bed at about 10.30 pm.
Hopefully, I will get a TV soon and will also be able to get to work.
Until tomorrow...
A Largely Unproductive Day: Shopping for Bed Linen with Shahnaz , then Dad
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
An Almost Unproductive Day: Shopping for Bed Linen with Shahnaz and Dad
Today was all about waiting—and I am beginning to realize, more than ever, that a very good part of one’s time in India is spent waiting for something to happen, waiting for someone to show up, waiting for somewhere to open, etc.
I awoke at about 5.00am and started blogging. It seems to be the way my days will begin. Outside, I hear the cawing of crows looking for their first meal. From my bed, I can see greenery—tall trees—mainly mango and coconut palms—and the fluttering of pigeons as they fly from one branch to the next. It is a soothing sight. Thankfully, I get no traffic sounds, no sounds of a convent school and its ringing bells, so negative sounds of any kind. I have been blessed!
I fixed my first proper cereal breakfast in my new studio—I grated an apple to make birchersmuesli—a breakfast that I could gladly eat everyday for the rest of my life. It went into a bowl with yoghurt (freshly made and picked up from a local dairy—except that it is probably made with full fat milk and might defeat my intentions of trying to lose a few pounds), vanilla flavored almond milk, almond and cranberry muesli I bought and a couple of tablespoons of my own muesli. I have taken to reading the biography of Prince Charles while eating my meals seated on the two night stands (that ought to flank my bed but for which there is no room) that have been moved together and now form handy seating in a studio that has none.
That done, I decided to go for a walk along Carter Road Promenade—except that I made the decision to go rather too late—it was already a tad too warm and most other walkers had left. I had the place to myself. However, by the time I reached the end of the Promenade, I decided on impulse to climb up Pali Hill and return to my flat that way. This would give me a good hour long walk in varied terrain—lots of climbs which would make the exercise worthwhile. This would also mean that I’d be passing by the building of my friend Shahnaz. I called to find out if she’d be home. She was and invited me to join her for breakfast. I declined. She then asked me to join her on a couple of errands—she had to get to Apple. I thought it would be a good way to get some of my supplies and I agreed. Except that I had left without intending to shop and had not carried my credit card or any cash with me! She said we would swing by my place and pick it up—that sounded like a plan.
Except that once we were in her car, she said that Apple was much closer to where we were—so we ought to go there first and then get to my flat for my card. Again, I agreed. End Result? I spent more than 45 minutes waiting in her (thankfully air-conditioned) car while she attended to her chore at Apple. While in the car, I made calls to the passport man (to get my Dad and Russel’s passports renewed) and to my internet man to set up appointments to get installations in my studio. After Shahnaz got back, we decided to go and get my bedspread from Fab India. But then I realized I did not have my credit card or cash with me. Meanwhile, Shahnaz needed to get back home as she had a call from her son to attend to something. What we did do was survey the stock available at Fab India and see what would work for me. It turned out to be exorbitant—more than Rs.10,000 (about $150) for bed linen seemed criminal to me. We left and then spent ages on some essential oils that Shahnaz wanted to buy. So basically, it had been an utter waste of a morning and a wild goose chase for me.
Back at my studio, I had lunch and called Dad to find out where he did his bed linen shopping. He told me he would take me to Variety Emporium on Hill Road where he and my Mum had shopped for years. We made plans to meet in the evening.
Then my internet man called to tell me that he’d be sending someone to my place at 4.00 pm. More waiting. He did not show up till 5.00 pm! Anyway, he surveyed my place and told me that he would get me connected by tomorrow evening. But I had to pay him a 50% advance amount and I had neither check book nor cash with me. I then raced for a shower and to get to Dad’s to pick up my check book before we set out on our shopping spree.
That was the most successful part of a really fruitless day. We got to the store and I was very fortunate to find the white flat sheets I need for this King sized bed and a bed spread that perfectly blended with the very busy pattern of the flooring in this house. I also got a bath mat but forgot to get floor swabs! Anyway, now that I know the store, I can get there on my own.
We then took a rickshaw and went straight to the 7.00 pm Mass and from there went to the passport man to hand over documents, to the internet man so I could give him a check and then I got home. I eagerly made my bed (which was tough as it is so huge and against a wall which makes manipulating one end of it really difficult). Then, I was able to eat dinner at well past 10.00 pm and went to bed at 11.00.
What a day!! A bit crazy and while it began so unproductively…it did not end too badly. Getting my bed linen and setting up my bed saved the day.
Until tomorrow…
Settling Down...on Janmashtami
Monday, September 3, 2018
Bombay
Getting Settled…on Janmashtami
What is Janmashtami?
I awoke in my new studio for the first time on Janmashtami—I knew it as Gokulashtami where I was a girl growing up in India. It is a bank holiday and so a lot of shops and other business establishments were closed. It is a joyous Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna, the little blue-faced child-god who is beloved of his followers. In India, Hindus celebrate it by hanging terracotta pots (handis) containing dahi (which is Hindi for yoghurt) on strings between buildings way up high. The idea is to congregate as a neighborhood community and make a human pyramid that will reach up to the pot. The man at the very top then tries to break the pot with encouragement from onlookers. The practice symbolizes the fondness that the young Lord Krishna had for yoghurt. Legend has it that, as child, he would sneak into the kitchen and eat it. Attempting to keep the pot beyond his reach, his mother would tuck it away at a height. Using all his ingenuity, little Lord Krishna would still try to get at the pot. Hence, the fun re-enactment of his efforts.
I made myself my first cup of coffee in my new studio using my electric kettle and my microwave oven. It felt so good to sip my own hazelnut coffee (grounds brought from the US) with Coffeemate (also brought from the US in the travel pouch I usually carry to fix my own decaff tea and coffee in overseas hotels). I have also carried pounds and pounds of my own homemade granola. But I realized that I did not have yoghurt or milk in my fridge and so I could not have breakfast.
What I Carried With Me From the States:
Just as I was contemplating what I should do for breakfast, my Dad called to ask if I would like to join them. He said he was wondering how I could eat as I would need crockery and cutlery to even put together the simplest meal. I told him that I have lived alone in so many parts of the world and have ‘moved house’ myself or moved Chriselle in and out of homes so often that I know exactly what I should carry to help me set up shop initially. . For instance, I told him that the first thing I did was place a roll of toilet paper in my bag as I was leaving his place as I knew there would be none in my new home! He laughed out loud. I also told him that I had carried one dinner plate, one quarter plate, one cereal bowl, one everyday glass, one crystal glass (you cannot enjoy a G and T without a really good glass), one Lenox porcelain mug (you cannot enjoy a cup of coffee without a really special mug) and one porcelain cup and saucer (you cannot enjoy a tea of tea without a really special c and s). In China, I had bought one knife, one fork, one tablespoon and one teaspoon…so, I am all set!!! Dad was simply stunned. You could have taken all these things from me, he said. I did not have the heart to tell him that having my own everyday things from the States make me feel at home, comforted, not quite so alien in my new solitary situation. He also marveled at the fact that I’d had the foresight to carry all these things with me. How do you think I ended up with three suitcases, I asked???
Anyway, without any milk or curd at home, I could not fix myself breakfast—so I did hop across to Dad’s where I had Theo Broma’s raisin-nut bread with a slice of Kraft processed cheese and coffee. I left Dad’s home taking 3 mugs from his place to mine—to stack my pens and pencils at my bedside table, to place my kitchen accessories (all brought from the States—microplane grater, potato peeler, lemon reamer, whisk, kitchen scissors, small paring knife, large Chef’s knife). I also carried 6 round stacking Tupperware containers with lids. I never make my home anywhere in the world without carrying these with me. One mug was placed on my drainage board to hold my washed cutlery (I have carried a dish draining pad from Bed,Bath and Beyondwith me). Dad also gave me a pack of new hand towels to use as kitchen towels. From Dad’s place, I also took a sponge with abrasive side to wash my utensils, a plain sponge for cleaning the counter tops and a duster for cleaning surfaces.
What Were the First Things I Bought?
On my way back, I stopped at the vegetable kiosk and picked up lemons (for my tea and G and Ts—yes, I have my priorities right!). I then stopped at the dairy and picked up yogurt for my cereal. At the grocery store next door, I picked up cream, almond milk (so delighted to find it), two large litre bottles of Bisleri water, a box of tissues (as I am still fighting allergies from air pollution and probably the smell of fresh paint in my studio), liquid detergent (the grocer recommended something called Prill) and toilet cleaner (he recommended Harpic). I so miss my Mum—she would have advised me on every household aspect, had she still been with us. But Dad has been extraordinary and has told me not to buy anything as he has everything and can simply pass things on to me. So too my friend Shahnaz said, “Do not buy any bed linen. I have sheets for king sized beds. You can have them.”I do, however, need to buy a bedspread and Fab India, which is only a ten-minute stroll away, would be the place to buy it.
My First Tiffin:
The grocer told me that he would have my groceries delivered to my house! I was delighted. I gave him my address and left. By the time I reached home, my first tiffin was already hanging on my door—homemade food, home delivered. What a fantastic service! I was simply thrilled. Inside, in each compartment of a tiffin carrier, I found 7 mince cutlets, meatball curry with 10 meatballs and a huge amount of eggplant—tiny ones that were stuffed and cooked. Since I do not eat carbs, I had told the supplier who is named Valerie not to send me rice or chappatis—and so she has sent me an enormous amount of other food. Since I have ordered the meal delivery service every other day, this tiffin will see me through two days or four meals—two lunches and two dinners. I moved the food into my Tupperware containers—see? I knew I would use them! I washed the tiffin and it is now ready to be returned to the supplier and delivery man when he brings my next tiffin on Wednesday! Some things in India do work!
‘Me Monday’and Installing a Shower Curtain:
Back home in the States, I always christened the first day of the week, Me Monday. It is the day of the week I always keep for myself—personal grooming chores are done on this day.
But as I had not yet installed the shower curtain in my bathroom, I had to do that first. There was no shower curtain rod in my bathroom and knowing that, I had told Llew to bring me (to China) a retractable one from Bed, Bath and Beyond. He had done this and I had to figure out how to make it work. It involved the use of a Phillips screwdriver (which, of course, I did not have). Since necessity is the mother of invention, I used the tip of a pair of scissors. And it worked! I had also purchased two shower curtains with accompanying rings from China –and these too I installed in my bathroom.
Getting the curtain up there required me to stand on a stool—I did not have one. So I used one of the night stands from my bed and voila! It was up! But not without a huge amount of stretching with my weak right shoulder and arm—I was worried sick that it would trigger off the issue I am having with a torn rotator cuff—but, luckily, I had the good sense to let my left hand do much of the work.
Once the shower curtain was up, in keeping with tradition, I had a shower and shampoo—my first one in my new bathroom. Over the years, when I have lived overseas, in London and Paris, for instance, I have been blessed in that I had fabulous bathrooms—each of which was like a spa to me. I am trying to make this one feel the same way—and to a large extend, it does. It is clean, new and well-appointed. The shower was hot and the volume was more than adequate. I do not know where the switch is to put on the exhaust fan—you need that in India as the warmth and humidity can make bathrooms feel like saunas. I will have to find out where it is. I also did a home manicure and pedicure and tidied my eyebrows. It felt so good to be able to keep myself looking clean and put together.
Next, I organized a mug to hold my stationary supplies right by my bed with a note pad to write down phone messages or numbers. I also organized my costume jewelry in a large chocolate box that I found at my Dad’s and that I had asked him to save for me. I placed my three empty suitcases in the balcony covered by a vast sheet of plastic that had packed my microwave oven. Slowly but surely, I am settling down and feeling at home.
Midway through the morning, my next door neighbor brought the garbage collection woman to my door. My neighbor’s name is Forum and I was reminded so much of my former London neighbors, Tim Freeman and Barbara Cookson, whose apartment was also to the immediate right of mine and who had ended up becoming such dear friends of mine. Forum apologized for not taking my tiffin inside her home, but, as she explained it, they are strict Jains and will never put themselves in contact with non-vegetarian food. I told her that it was perfectly fine, as I did not expect her to take it inside.
At lunch time, about 1.30, I had my lunch while reading the biography of Prince Charles by Sally Bedell Smith which I have downloaded on my Ipad through my local Fairfield library. It will keep me company until my TV is installed. I then washed up lunch things and continued reading until I felt sleepy and ready for a nap. Meanwhile, my friends were texting me and telling me where I could go to buy a bedspread, garbage bins for my kitchen and bathroom, curtains for my window, etc. I had my usual 20-minute nap and continued to read.
Visiting my Cousin Ruby:
At 4.00 pm, I called my Dad and asked him if he would like to accompany me to visit my cousin Ruby who has not been at all well. Dad told me that he would be ready at 5. 15 pm and he would love to go with me. We took a rickshaw and spent the evening at my cousin’s place. En route, as we were passing through a Hindu neighborhood, we had the chance to see a pot being broken on the road through the creation of a human pyramid. What was different from the years gone by in my memory was that all the men were dressed in saffron with their younger compatriots dressed in fluorescent green! Many of them were on motor bikes. Traffic slowed to a crawl to accommodate their festivity. It was, I have to admit, fun to watch, but I was also worried as crowds can become uncontrolled at any time and I hate to be in the midst of them.
My cousin Ruby is doing poorly as a result of a skin infection for which she is under the care of a good dermatologist. She says that there is improvement and she hopes to make a complete recovery soon. It was so sad to just sit there and watch as she told us how much she has suffered through it. I have decided to simply step up my prayers for her as there is nothing any of us can do.
After our visit, we hailed a passing rickshaw and went straight to Mass. As we were early, we visited with two of the office assistants at our church. The Novena to the Blessed Mother is on as September 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. After Mass, I walked to another grocery store with Dad to buy cereal—to bolster my own home made supply—and found muesli there. Also bought more toilet paper and a bottle of local Indian honey for my cereal.
Back home, I did some reading, then had my dinner and went straight to bed at 10.00 pm as I feel very sleep by that time. Hopefully, as all business will resume tomorrow, I shall get my internet connection sorted…
Until tomorrow…
Moving Day! From the West End Hotel to a Bandra Studio
Sunday, September 2, 2018
Bombay
Moving Day! From the West End Hotel to a Bandra Studio
Namaste from Bombay!
It was a red letter day for me! I left the wonderful West End Hotel in downtown Bombay about which I cannot say enough god things after a week. Had the privilege of meeting the owner and general manager, a gracious old Sindhi man named Mr. Ramani. He told me that the hotel was opened in 1948, right after the Partition of India and the arrival of enterprising Sindhis from newly-formed Pakistan who threw in their lot with Independent India. He told me that there were retainers who had worked for the hotel for 20-30 years. I told him that the situation spoke well for him as a manager and for their loyalty and fidelity. It is great to know that in some hidden pockets of India the old values with which I was raised are still alive and kicking. But sadly, not for long. I see all around me a rapidly changing set of values, the replacement of honesty and hard work by greed and commercialism. But it precisely for this reason that when you come face to face with all that is clean and giving and caring, it is necessary to pause and appreciate it.
I am usually waking up by 5’oclock in this hotel. But I do believe that I am getting enough sleep as I do not wake up in-between. I packed up my small case, showered and went down excitedly for brekkie: Indian today—chole poori (with the fresh hot pooris delivered right to my table by the personable young man who has been waiting on me for the past few days), idli sambhar, coffee and fresh fruit. I said my thanks and told the staff that I was very grateful for their attention to me over the past week. Truly, they were all lovely people.
I was just finishing my coffee when I got a text from my friend Rashida (my former student at Jai Hind College) informing me that she was already in the lobby, where we had plans to meet. I got change from the Reception counter, paid tips to the wait staff that had been so kind to me and then I left. I had a nice reunion with Rashida who is a warm, bubbly and affectionate person. We went up to my room and sat down for a long chat during which I ordered a fresh lime soda for her through Room Service. It came in a jiffy—another great example of the kind of impeccable service this hotel has offered.
By 10.30 am, I checked out, said more Thank-yous, called an Uber (my first one in Bombay) and left after taking a few pictures of the interior and the exterior of the West End Hotel. It had been a great initiation into the city and a wonderful way to get me introduced again to the use of public transport (trains, buses), providing proximity to the places in which I shall be doing most of my work and yet offering a sanctuary of my own at night so that I could settle down with the use of wifi and catch up with my work.
In the Uber taxi, I almost gagged—the body odor from the driver was so sickening that I almost threw up. It was an air-conditioned cab and so I opened the window to let in some fresh air. I had a horrid journey all the way to Bandra even though, thankfully, there was barely any traffic on the street (being that it was a Sunday) and we flew.
Back in my Dad’s house, I called Shahnaz, my friend who was bringing her car to help me with the move, and decided to do it within the next hour. Meanwhile, Dad ordered a Sunday meal from a Chinese restaurant named Mr. Chow and we settled down to have Hot and Sour Soup, Fried Won-Tons, Chilli Chicken and Noodles with Chicken and Vegetables. I really ought to get these take-out menus and keep them at my place too.
After lunch, Shahnaz came along and with the watchman that my Dad had organized to help carry my bags from Dad’s flat to Shahnaz’s car and from her car to my new studio (which was on the first floor in a two-storey building with no lift), we accomplished the move in a very short time. Shahnaz then dropped Dad and the watchman back to his place and the two of us drove off to Vijay Sales on Linking Road so that I could make the remainder payment on my microwave oven and my electric kettle, both of which were available for me to take home right away. Shahnaz then came back, sat for a little bit, and left. She is now in-charge of organizing the removal of the TV from her daughter’s room and the installation of it in my studio as she has offered to lend it to me for a year. I am hopeful that this will occur soon.
As soon as Shahnaz left, at about 4.00pm, I set about unpacking and organizing my things. I did it in a very systematic manner and without tiring myself too much. I stopped at 5.30 pm as I was accompanying Dad to the Sunday evening Mass and needed to walk to his place. I was there in five minutes, picked him up at his gate and off we went for a Thanksgiving Mass. I am so delighted and grateful to the Lord for giving me my own rental studio in Bandra (as studios are really very hard to come by) and that too so close to my Dad’s home. Truly, it was the answer to all my prayers. Once again, I felt as I had done, ten years ago, after I’d moved into my flat in London (which had then seemed like the answer to all my prayers). Now I can only hope that I will be happy in this home and that it will be a productive haven for me and my work.
After Mass, during which I met my friends Ewell and Nina, I had dinner (Chinese food from the afternoon) at Dad’s place and then left at 8.30 pm for my first night in my new home. I had one last suitcase to unpack which I did before going to bed. I was able to organize all my clothes (with unused hangers that I borrowed from Dad) in my closet, plus find room for my medication and year’s supplies of other items (such as cosmetics) that I brought along. It will be a lot of fun settling down and I am looking forward to the process of finding my quiet center within this quiet retreat.
At 10.00 pm. I was already too tired to stay awake and decided to call it a night—my first night in my new place. I am quite excited as a new adventure begins.
Until tomorrow…
Saturday, September 1, 2018
Finally! I Have a Studio in Bombay that is my Own!
Saturday, September 1, 2018
Bombay
Namaste from Bombay!
Finally, the formalities associated with 'closing' the contract on my Bombay studio occurred today. It was a fairly lengthy process as I have a landlord who is a stickler for legal detail--not a bad thing overall. I reviewed a couple of drafts of the contract and asked for some alterations to be made--these were accommodated and accounts for the delay.
I awoke, as usual, in the West End Hotel and after a shower, went down to breakfast in the Dining Hall. I had occasion to meet the General Manager and owner of the hotel, a Mr. Ramani--a gracious elderly man in the mold of the Sindhi gentlemen I once knew and worked for as a Professor at Jai Hind College. At least, I am guessing from his name, that he is a Sindhi. I told him how delighted I was with my stay and how much I appreciated the services of his staff. He told me that many of them were with him for 20-30 years--this speaks highly of his prowess as a manager, but it also speaks of the loyalty of the staff and this was very evident to me. Everyone-from the Receptionists to the lift men--have been fantastic. Yesterday, for instance, I asked for some hot water and salt to be sent up to my room as I have a bad throat irritation and cough (probably a result of Bombay's horrid air pollution). It was promptly brought up to me--ditto in the evening when I returned to the hotel. The breakfasts have been generous and delicious and superbly served by waiters who know their job and do it with graciousness and style. I will be telling everyone about his hotel now as well as reporting on it for Trip Advisor and Yelp. Just for the information of those of you interested, it costs Rs. 5,300 per night for single occupancy and Rs. 6,400 per night for double. This, at current exchange rates, is under $100 a night--so not a bad deal at all.
After breakfast (a masala omelette, chicken sausage, cold roasted chicken and salami, fruit and hot coffee), I took the train and left for my Dad's place It was going to be a red letter day for me as I had made plan to meet my landlord Sameer at the Registration coffee near Khar Telephone Exchange for the signing of our contract. My cousin Veera accompanied me (she is the realtor through whom I made the sighting). Sameer's mother, Razia, in whose name the Studio rests, was also present. She is a lovely graceful lady who spoke perfect English and told me about her growing years in her maternal home in that building. Indeed, the process was quite painless--if exceedingly lengthy because the computers were on the blink and there was a backlog. Still, although the time spend simply waiting for the procedure to occur was annoying, the actual signing told only a few minutes. I was finger printed and photographed (formalities associated with the renting of premises in India by foreigners has tightened up considerably every since the terrorist attacks of 2008).
But all said and done, I will awake tomorrow as a bonafide tenant in a studio in a building in Bandra that seems to be the answer to my prayers. Of course, I will only know how well I will jell with the place after I have lived in it for about a week during which I shall unpack, settle down, make the essential purchases I need to render the place livable, etc.
After we finished with the registration and closing to which Veera accompanied me, I returned home for a very late lunch with Dad. I have now made arrangements to have the same meal home delivery service that Dad uses sent to me as well--three times a week, I shall receive a 'tiffin' that will be more than adequate for me for the week--or so I think. If necessary, I shall supplement with take-out food from the Bandra Gymkhana (private club) which is on the next street and where I am a member. It promises to be a lot of fun and I am looking forward to the adventure of settling down in my new place in the same way that I had done in Hawai'i, London, Paris, etc.
I took a nap in the afternoon while my Dad went off to the funeral of a parishioner. In the evening, I sat chatting a bit with him while the cricket Test match between India and England is currently absorbing his attention. As we were not going for the 7.00 pm Mass tonight, I had an early dinner at Dad's and left for the hotel which I reached at 9.00 pm.
Somehow I felt tired by the time I reached and could just about find the time to wash up and get ready for bed before the day ended.
Until tomorrow...
Bombay
Namaste from Bombay!
Finally, the formalities associated with 'closing' the contract on my Bombay studio occurred today. It was a fairly lengthy process as I have a landlord who is a stickler for legal detail--not a bad thing overall. I reviewed a couple of drafts of the contract and asked for some alterations to be made--these were accommodated and accounts for the delay.
I awoke, as usual, in the West End Hotel and after a shower, went down to breakfast in the Dining Hall. I had occasion to meet the General Manager and owner of the hotel, a Mr. Ramani--a gracious elderly man in the mold of the Sindhi gentlemen I once knew and worked for as a Professor at Jai Hind College. At least, I am guessing from his name, that he is a Sindhi. I told him how delighted I was with my stay and how much I appreciated the services of his staff. He told me that many of them were with him for 20-30 years--this speaks highly of his prowess as a manager, but it also speaks of the loyalty of the staff and this was very evident to me. Everyone-from the Receptionists to the lift men--have been fantastic. Yesterday, for instance, I asked for some hot water and salt to be sent up to my room as I have a bad throat irritation and cough (probably a result of Bombay's horrid air pollution). It was promptly brought up to me--ditto in the evening when I returned to the hotel. The breakfasts have been generous and delicious and superbly served by waiters who know their job and do it with graciousness and style. I will be telling everyone about his hotel now as well as reporting on it for Trip Advisor and Yelp. Just for the information of those of you interested, it costs Rs. 5,300 per night for single occupancy and Rs. 6,400 per night for double. This, at current exchange rates, is under $100 a night--so not a bad deal at all.
After breakfast (a masala omelette, chicken sausage, cold roasted chicken and salami, fruit and hot coffee), I took the train and left for my Dad's place It was going to be a red letter day for me as I had made plan to meet my landlord Sameer at the Registration coffee near Khar Telephone Exchange for the signing of our contract. My cousin Veera accompanied me (she is the realtor through whom I made the sighting). Sameer's mother, Razia, in whose name the Studio rests, was also present. She is a lovely graceful lady who spoke perfect English and told me about her growing years in her maternal home in that building. Indeed, the process was quite painless--if exceedingly lengthy because the computers were on the blink and there was a backlog. Still, although the time spend simply waiting for the procedure to occur was annoying, the actual signing told only a few minutes. I was finger printed and photographed (formalities associated with the renting of premises in India by foreigners has tightened up considerably every since the terrorist attacks of 2008).
But all said and done, I will awake tomorrow as a bonafide tenant in a studio in a building in Bandra that seems to be the answer to my prayers. Of course, I will only know how well I will jell with the place after I have lived in it for about a week during which I shall unpack, settle down, make the essential purchases I need to render the place livable, etc.
After we finished with the registration and closing to which Veera accompanied me, I returned home for a very late lunch with Dad. I have now made arrangements to have the same meal home delivery service that Dad uses sent to me as well--three times a week, I shall receive a 'tiffin' that will be more than adequate for me for the week--or so I think. If necessary, I shall supplement with take-out food from the Bandra Gymkhana (private club) which is on the next street and where I am a member. It promises to be a lot of fun and I am looking forward to the adventure of settling down in my new place in the same way that I had done in Hawai'i, London, Paris, etc.
I took a nap in the afternoon while my Dad went off to the funeral of a parishioner. In the evening, I sat chatting a bit with him while the cricket Test match between India and England is currently absorbing his attention. As we were not going for the 7.00 pm Mass tonight, I had an early dinner at Dad's and left for the hotel which I reached at 9.00 pm.
Somehow I felt tired by the time I reached and could just about find the time to wash up and get ready for bed before the day ended.
Until tomorrow...
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