Friday, December 22, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Merry Christmas Mong
"May this Christmas bring you, your family & friends lots of warmth & happiness".
This is the best mong yet!
Friday, December 15, 2006
FUTURE AUTHORS
Every year, English teachers from across the country submit their collections of actual analogies and metaphors found in high school essays.
These excerpts are published each year to the amusement of teachers across the country.
Here are last year's winners.....
1. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master.
2. His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.
3. He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse, without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.
4. She grew on him like she was a colony of E. coli, and he was room-temperature Canadian beef.
5. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.
6. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.
7. He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree.
8. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM machine.
9. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.
10. McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.
11. From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p.m. instead of 7:30.
12. Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.
13. The hailstones leaped fr om the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease.
14. Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at
4:19
p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.
15. They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resembled Nancy Kerrigan's teeth.
16. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.
17. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant and she was the East River.
18. Even in his last years, Granddad had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.
19. Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do.
20. The plan was simple, like my br other-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work.
21. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.
22. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.
23. The ballerina rose gracefully en Pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.
24. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools.
25. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.
These excerpts are published each year to the amusement of teachers across the country.
Here are last year's winners.....
1. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master.
2. His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.
3. He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse, without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.
4. She grew on him like she was a colony of E. coli, and he was room-temperature Canadian beef.
5. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.
6. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.
7. He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree.
8. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM machine.
9. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.
10. McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.
11. From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p.m. instead of 7:30.
12. Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.
13. The hailstones leaped fr om the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease.
14. Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at
4:19
p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.
15. They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resembled Nancy Kerrigan's teeth.
16. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.
17. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant and she was the East River.
18. Even in his last years, Granddad had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.
19. Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do.
20. The plan was simple, like my br other-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work.
21. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.
22. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.
23. The ballerina rose gracefully en Pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.
24. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools.
25. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Irish News
Heydiho Fixers!
I have posted some 'older' Halloween photos on our blog, more London & Paris pics are still to come. Unfortunately no pics from Amsterdam even though I had the camera on me every day.... Hope you are all well and not getting to sucked into the x-mas madness. Miss you all loads. Lots of love, Breeza.
P.S:Shazzy and Mark you were my inspiration to update our blog cause reading yours made me realise how nice it is to see and read what everyone is up to. Cheers to the Mumbai Madness!
I have posted some 'older' Halloween photos on our blog, more London & Paris pics are still to come. Unfortunately no pics from Amsterdam even though I had the camera on me every day.... Hope you are all well and not getting to sucked into the x-mas madness. Miss you all loads. Lots of love, Breeza.
P.S:Shazzy and Mark you were my inspiration to update our blog cause reading yours made me realise how nice it is to see and read what everyone is up to. Cheers to the Mumbai Madness!
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTION
Does the brain really understand the brain and how it works?
Can someone help me with the above? I have been trying to work this one out????
Friday, December 08, 2006
SuperView
Tim is having a shindig at his place in Coffs there is plenty of space for camping along the riverbanks that run through the property. It is 15 mins from rain forest and 15 mins from beach they have fish stocked dams to catch and fry over the campfire. Party will be accompanied with a 1200 watt sound system. All Mutant Fixers are most welcome.
V FESTIVAL! WHO'S GOING??
Current V Festival Bands
* Pixies* Pet Shop Boys
* Gnarls Barkley
*2 Many DJs
* Soulwax
* The Rapture
* Phoenix
* Groove Armada
* Softlights
* Bumblebeez
* The Mercy Arms
* The Temper Trap
**and More to Come!!
Gold Coast, April 1, Avica Resort
Tix available from Ticketmaster and selling fast. Its going to be big and Sal and I have already bought tickets. The only thing left is to "Take the Ride".
Who's In?
Sorry I Never Voted For You
No one loves to stick it to politicians more than myself, yet I could not help feeling for poor old Kim Beazley last week. Whether you agree or not with Mr Beazley's policies he spent a life time trying to improve this county. The following are the ministerial positions he held for this country.
Minister for Aviation from 11.3.83 to 13.12.84.
Special Minister of State from 14.7.83 to 21.1.84.
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence from 11.3.83 to 13.12.84.
Minister for Defence from 13.12.84 to 4.4.90.
Vice President of the Executive Council from 15.2.88 to 1.2.91.
Minister for Transport and Communications from 4.4.90 to 9.12.91.
Minister for Finance from 9.12.91 to 27.12.91.
Minister for Employment, Education and Training from 27.12.91 to 23.12.93.
Minister for Finance from 23.12.93 to 11.3.96.
Deputy Prime Minister from 20.6.95 to 11.3.96.
Kim Beazly may end up being remembered as the most experienced politician to never run this country. I will always remember Kim for being the first politician I have ever sincerely felt any compassion towards.
Losing a brother so close to Christmas and on the day of losing the leadership of the opposition is a little to cruel for my likings, even for a politician.
So Kim my heart felt sympathies go out to you and your family and thank you for every thing you did for this country.
Minister for Aviation from 11.3.83 to 13.12.84.
Special Minister of State from 14.7.83 to 21.1.84.
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence from 11.3.83 to 13.12.84.
Minister for Defence from 13.12.84 to 4.4.90.
Vice President of the Executive Council from 15.2.88 to 1.2.91.
Minister for Transport and Communications from 4.4.90 to 9.12.91.
Minister for Finance from 9.12.91 to 27.12.91.
Minister for Employment, Education and Training from 27.12.91 to 23.12.93.
Minister for Finance from 23.12.93 to 11.3.96.
Deputy Prime Minister from 20.6.95 to 11.3.96.
Kim Beazly may end up being remembered as the most experienced politician to never run this country. I will always remember Kim for being the first politician I have ever sincerely felt any compassion towards.
Losing a brother so close to Christmas and on the day of losing the leadership of the opposition is a little to cruel for my likings, even for a politician.
So Kim my heart felt sympathies go out to you and your family and thank you for every thing you did for this country.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Ancient Teachings
What has happened to the King Blogger Mickus?
I just found this quote I was sent in 2000. Didn't quite "get it" back then, it makes sense now. Incredible that life coaches today, copy the ancient teachings of Buddha.
From American life coach, Laura Berman Fortgang
(her ancenstors were from the gangs around the Fort)
"The physical world is an evergy field.
When you take action, you are sending out electrical impulses into that energy field, teaching it what you want it to throw back at you.
When you simply hope, you are hoarding those electrical impulses. They stay with you and don't enter the energy field.
No wonder nothing comes back; you never sent the message out.
Action is your message to the physical universe. It says you're serious about getting what you want. As long as there are no other obstacles to those impulses going out, the response you're looking for will come back".
I just found this quote I was sent in 2000. Didn't quite "get it" back then, it makes sense now. Incredible that life coaches today, copy the ancient teachings of Buddha.
From American life coach, Laura Berman Fortgang
(her ancenstors were from the gangs around the Fort)
"The physical world is an evergy field.
When you take action, you are sending out electrical impulses into that energy field, teaching it what you want it to throw back at you.
When you simply hope, you are hoarding those electrical impulses. They stay with you and don't enter the energy field.
No wonder nothing comes back; you never sent the message out.
Action is your message to the physical universe. It says you're serious about getting what you want. As long as there are no other obstacles to those impulses going out, the response you're looking for will come back".
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Bombay Bliss
Hello fellow fixers,
I write from our apartment in Juhu, listenting to Crazy Penis (always reminds of you Isa) on a Saturday evening. We've had a few beers, Mark is doing our blog and I'm sorting out pictures, pouring beers and filling up the pringle bowl. We've had a great few days, I think you just need to get the "hang of" life here. Yesterdays frustrations are todays funny stories. Although, whilst within the frustration, it is very difficult to see the funny side of anything.
Everything is funny after 3 big Kingfishers.
We are going to venture out to Bandra tonight. Jo Shaw we dedicate our choice of place to you. We're hitting "Olive". The Lonely Planet's Best of Mumbai description is as follows: "Worth the trip to Pali Hill, Olive is one of the trendiest eateries in town. It serves wholesome Mediterranean dishes drizzled with olive oil to Mumbai yuppies and Bollywood stars. Dress to impress if you want to fit in." Hmmm, we have about 2 sets of clothes and better not tell the rickshaw driver Bandra - Pali Hill wherever that is.
Here are some pix of our farewell and our life here. Tyler promise to send the images outside of our window. The street is happening tonight. Little stalls have popped up and people are stopping, chatting, beeping...beeping...and more fcuking beeping. Loud beeps, high beeps, low beeps and beeps with serious sore throats.
PS. Washing machine dryer is not a washer dryer by the way, even when you're sold a washer dryer. Dryer means extra spin. Dryer with a heat element is quite different again.
This is Yardif, outside our house. The red & blue umbrella is the local beetle nut store. Customers day & night.
Go into our new blog at :
Friday, December 01, 2006
Murmurs from Mumbai..... Report received from Shaz & Mark!
A sad farewell in Paddington, leaving Sal & Tylers. Jo Shaw drove us to the airport where we met Marks mum and dad (very teary).
A rough start, should have let the Japanese couple push in, as we got the grumpiest, rudest check-in man ever. Not good when we were carrying extra luggage.
(I’m writing a letter of complain he was that bad, and not just because he charged us $36 per kilo extra).
We bid farewell to Jo, Carol and Allan and boarded our flight to Darwin. Business class is kind of crap domestically, so nothing to report.
A few hours later and a few conversations later, we boarded our Mumbai flight. We ate, got drunk, watched movies, got a hangover and then slept (lying all the way down). Before we knew it, we were landing (& yet another movie I’ve seen without an ending).
Cleared customs really easily, were worried as we had a lot of our electrical gadgets with us, and Customs are renown for finding a reason to charge. We also had an extra laptop and play station).
Our apartment broker was to meet us at the airport, instead advised us to where to meet him. We jumped into a cool cab (has air con) with our heavy bags, at one point Mark started to notice the heater rise, smoke began to billow out as we bailed out. We rang Asif (as if that’s his name, but it is), and he came and met us. We were 1 minute from our new home. His driver took the 2 heaviest bags in the auto rickshaw while we drove in comfort and finally made it to our apartment.
We unpacked and tried to stay awake as long as possible. The owner had repainted, added in some lovely touches (& some art and ornaments, some not so lovely) and also some food. We collapsed and before we knew what was happening it was morning. Drums were playing a really cool beat – very loudly. We dressed, raced down stairs and watched what we thought was a wedding at our neighbours house, full of flights and flowers. We were asked to come inside and were told that we were meeting a Jain guru. He and his (disciple?) were naked and chanting. Men and women sat on their respective sides and chanted too. It was incredible. Later he went upstairs and we were told we had to go too. We sat on the ground as he sat on the bed and the owner of this enormous mansion (our next door neighbour) explained about the 28 levels of purity he’s reached. The Jains are totally non-violent, don’t eat anything that is alive (even root vegetables as they may harm the bacteria they eat). The guru eats only once a day from his hands as his bowl and for some reason he annually teaches at our neighbours house.
We then had to have breakfast with the family and fellow worshippers, whatever we ate was delicious, finished off with a gulab. All purely made in the house, we think by the wife – not the servants. The guru later was washed, we couldn’t see him eat or wash as we didn’t have the right robes, it seemed everyone changed into gorgeous white or orange linen flowy robes.
We went out to try and set up bank accounts (the staff at HSBC all seemed to move in slow motion), organise internet and scout out shops. We can’t open a bank account without going to the Foreigner Regional Registration Office which we can’t do without other documentation, hopefully that will be a job for next week. Internet is coming we hope and we found a supermarket. Yes, newish to this town, but apparently there are more of them. They’re a bit like small European supermarkets. We didn’t buy much as we don’t have a stove (only a burner) and we don’t have saucepans. Just found out that we won’t get our shipment of goods until at least last week December. So think we better purchase some plates, frying pan etc.
We came back from our long walk, to pop into the festival house next door. Music was billowing out from the 3rd floor, a live band was playing and we were told to go and sit right across the room (diminishing our easy access escape route). I sat next to a woman who kept trying to tell me something, I think to get a photo between the naked guru’s, we were all sitting at their feet, singing, clapping away while the main guru wrote things in a book). After 40 minutes of “pure” fun – clapping, singing and laughing – the phone rang and we used it as an excuse to take our leave. I think we may have offended them as the guru was about to teach. In smiles they kind of told us it wasn’t ok to leave….oh well.
We’ll make up for it when we next meet.
Asif came over and I signed the lease agreement, locking us in for 13 months with a 2 month notice clause after the 13……..he bought us a chicken thing starting with F and we piked at 8pm. We really need to stay up late tonight as we’re awake so early.
We went for a long walk on the beach this morning, which was also another adventure. Literally, thousands of our neighbours were also walking, running, playing cricket or soccer. Despite the amount of people, it was quite peaceful. We walked all the way to Bandra or so we thought, once we hit a corner, before what seemed to be a fishing village, we started to notice a lot of poo on the ground. We kept walking watching men squatting at what seemed to be in prayer, but was really morning ablutions. No wonder the water is so filthy, loads of them came down from a slum walked towards the water, squatted staring out to sea and shat. I think the Mumbai govt. ought to build toilets within the slum, make it free and stop this…..the beach was quite nice until then. The Tourist police driving up and down, mustn’t go that far. Anyway, another story to add (with pictures). We are at home now, had an appointment with the internet man at 10.00. It’s now 12.40. We had to ring the broker to sought it out, he’s coming now at 4pm. We have the plumbers in here at the moment which is restricting us from leaving – hence I’ve time to write.
Now I’m online, we have bought (but not yet received) printer/fax & scanner and almost ready to go. We also found out we won’t have our shipment until late Dec. So we bought a saucepan and glasses and a dinner set. You should see them….!
It’s now Saturday evening. After much deliberating, coming and going we finally were connected to the internet yesterday. Mark thinks we’re on dial up not broadband. We have been told broadband, but whatever it is, it is painfully slow. We’ll have to purchase speed. It was quite funny, no one spoke English and we didn’t know what was going on as they came in, left, came in and left again. Yardiff our doorman, come night watchman and general errands man, kept us informed with much hand waving and lots of head wobbling.
We decided to venture out and went to the Marriott for a couple of Kingfishers. It was absolutely delightful to sip the cold ales in a space of opulence, it really astounds both of us the enormous gap between rich and poor and how unaffected the rich are by the poor. Kingfishers were still only INR 150. (approx $3.50, for a big bottle at Leopolds, it’s the same price – yet Leopolds is too far to pop into).
We had 2 beers and debated eating at the buffet. We opted for Indian and wandered to “On Toes” our local, near our house. I went to it previously when Jogi and Asif (our brokers) Poor Asif was fasting for Ramadan so didn’t eat a morsel whist Jogi (a Sikh) and I ate for India.. We wandered home on the road that a few hours previously was teeming with parents, maids and auto rickshaw drivers picking up kids. It was like a quiet movie set. Lovely to walk down.
Woke this morning, both of us jumped online, Mark to source TV, washing machine choices and compare prices to home. I was reading the Customs Duty stuff, it will be interesting to collect our stuff when it finally arrives. They’re gonna sting us for everything.
We went for a walk in search for a local gym. The one we saw (which we were told by Jogi the Sikh was state of the art, was horrible and the same membership price as home.
Well it’s Thursday night. It’s been quite the up and down week. If being hassled isn’t enough, debating taxi fares (we now totally understand the auto rickshaw meter and even though we know the rate card in the taxi’s, they seem to put on the meter and “lose” their rate card), receiving what we think is a washing machine instead of a washer dryer, the TV arrived minus the cable, the internet is incredibly slow & freezes all the time and although people are eager to assist, the language barrier often means we get incredible assistance, but the wrong type.
Had a meeting at the Taj, the other side of town today. Met with Travel & Leisure. We’ve just come back having had dinner at Leopolds and a few beers.. Didn’t see Shantaram this time but we left early, it feels weird, but it’s a school night. I gotta get to the office in the spare room in the morning.
A rough start, should have let the Japanese couple push in, as we got the grumpiest, rudest check-in man ever. Not good when we were carrying extra luggage.
(I’m writing a letter of complain he was that bad, and not just because he charged us $36 per kilo extra).
We bid farewell to Jo, Carol and Allan and boarded our flight to Darwin. Business class is kind of crap domestically, so nothing to report.
A few hours later and a few conversations later, we boarded our Mumbai flight. We ate, got drunk, watched movies, got a hangover and then slept (lying all the way down). Before we knew it, we were landing (& yet another movie I’ve seen without an ending).
Cleared customs really easily, were worried as we had a lot of our electrical gadgets with us, and Customs are renown for finding a reason to charge. We also had an extra laptop and play station).
Our apartment broker was to meet us at the airport, instead advised us to where to meet him. We jumped into a cool cab (has air con) with our heavy bags, at one point Mark started to notice the heater rise, smoke began to billow out as we bailed out. We rang Asif (as if that’s his name, but it is), and he came and met us. We were 1 minute from our new home. His driver took the 2 heaviest bags in the auto rickshaw while we drove in comfort and finally made it to our apartment.
We unpacked and tried to stay awake as long as possible. The owner had repainted, added in some lovely touches (& some art and ornaments, some not so lovely) and also some food. We collapsed and before we knew what was happening it was morning. Drums were playing a really cool beat – very loudly. We dressed, raced down stairs and watched what we thought was a wedding at our neighbours house, full of flights and flowers. We were asked to come inside and were told that we were meeting a Jain guru. He and his (disciple?) were naked and chanting. Men and women sat on their respective sides and chanted too. It was incredible. Later he went upstairs and we were told we had to go too. We sat on the ground as he sat on the bed and the owner of this enormous mansion (our next door neighbour) explained about the 28 levels of purity he’s reached. The Jains are totally non-violent, don’t eat anything that is alive (even root vegetables as they may harm the bacteria they eat). The guru eats only once a day from his hands as his bowl and for some reason he annually teaches at our neighbours house.
We then had to have breakfast with the family and fellow worshippers, whatever we ate was delicious, finished off with a gulab. All purely made in the house, we think by the wife – not the servants. The guru later was washed, we couldn’t see him eat or wash as we didn’t have the right robes, it seemed everyone changed into gorgeous white or orange linen flowy robes.
We went out to try and set up bank accounts (the staff at HSBC all seemed to move in slow motion), organise internet and scout out shops. We can’t open a bank account without going to the Foreigner Regional Registration Office which we can’t do without other documentation, hopefully that will be a job for next week. Internet is coming we hope and we found a supermarket. Yes, newish to this town, but apparently there are more of them. They’re a bit like small European supermarkets. We didn’t buy much as we don’t have a stove (only a burner) and we don’t have saucepans. Just found out that we won’t get our shipment of goods until at least last week December. So think we better purchase some plates, frying pan etc.
We came back from our long walk, to pop into the festival house next door. Music was billowing out from the 3rd floor, a live band was playing and we were told to go and sit right across the room (diminishing our easy access escape route). I sat next to a woman who kept trying to tell me something, I think to get a photo between the naked guru’s, we were all sitting at their feet, singing, clapping away while the main guru wrote things in a book). After 40 minutes of “pure” fun – clapping, singing and laughing – the phone rang and we used it as an excuse to take our leave. I think we may have offended them as the guru was about to teach. In smiles they kind of told us it wasn’t ok to leave….oh well.
We’ll make up for it when we next meet.
Asif came over and I signed the lease agreement, locking us in for 13 months with a 2 month notice clause after the 13……..he bought us a chicken thing starting with F and we piked at 8pm. We really need to stay up late tonight as we’re awake so early.
We went for a long walk on the beach this morning, which was also another adventure. Literally, thousands of our neighbours were also walking, running, playing cricket or soccer. Despite the amount of people, it was quite peaceful. We walked all the way to Bandra or so we thought, once we hit a corner, before what seemed to be a fishing village, we started to notice a lot of poo on the ground. We kept walking watching men squatting at what seemed to be in prayer, but was really morning ablutions. No wonder the water is so filthy, loads of them came down from a slum walked towards the water, squatted staring out to sea and shat. I think the Mumbai govt. ought to build toilets within the slum, make it free and stop this…..the beach was quite nice until then. The Tourist police driving up and down, mustn’t go that far. Anyway, another story to add (with pictures). We are at home now, had an appointment with the internet man at 10.00. It’s now 12.40. We had to ring the broker to sought it out, he’s coming now at 4pm. We have the plumbers in here at the moment which is restricting us from leaving – hence I’ve time to write.
Now I’m online, we have bought (but not yet received) printer/fax & scanner and almost ready to go. We also found out we won’t have our shipment until late Dec. So we bought a saucepan and glasses and a dinner set. You should see them….!
It’s now Saturday evening. After much deliberating, coming and going we finally were connected to the internet yesterday. Mark thinks we’re on dial up not broadband. We have been told broadband, but whatever it is, it is painfully slow. We’ll have to purchase speed. It was quite funny, no one spoke English and we didn’t know what was going on as they came in, left, came in and left again. Yardiff our doorman, come night watchman and general errands man, kept us informed with much hand waving and lots of head wobbling.
We decided to venture out and went to the Marriott for a couple of Kingfishers. It was absolutely delightful to sip the cold ales in a space of opulence, it really astounds both of us the enormous gap between rich and poor and how unaffected the rich are by the poor. Kingfishers were still only INR 150. (approx $3.50, for a big bottle at Leopolds, it’s the same price – yet Leopolds is too far to pop into).
We had 2 beers and debated eating at the buffet. We opted for Indian and wandered to “On Toes” our local, near our house. I went to it previously when Jogi and Asif (our brokers) Poor Asif was fasting for Ramadan so didn’t eat a morsel whist Jogi (a Sikh) and I ate for India.. We wandered home on the road that a few hours previously was teeming with parents, maids and auto rickshaw drivers picking up kids. It was like a quiet movie set. Lovely to walk down.
Woke this morning, both of us jumped online, Mark to source TV, washing machine choices and compare prices to home. I was reading the Customs Duty stuff, it will be interesting to collect our stuff when it finally arrives. They’re gonna sting us for everything.
We went for a walk in search for a local gym. The one we saw (which we were told by Jogi the Sikh was state of the art, was horrible and the same membership price as home.
Well it’s Thursday night. It’s been quite the up and down week. If being hassled isn’t enough, debating taxi fares (we now totally understand the auto rickshaw meter and even though we know the rate card in the taxi’s, they seem to put on the meter and “lose” their rate card), receiving what we think is a washing machine instead of a washer dryer, the TV arrived minus the cable, the internet is incredibly slow & freezes all the time and although people are eager to assist, the language barrier often means we get incredible assistance, but the wrong type.
Had a meeting at the Taj, the other side of town today. Met with Travel & Leisure. We’ve just come back having had dinner at Leopolds and a few beers.. Didn’t see Shantaram this time but we left early, it feels weird, but it’s a school night. I gotta get to the office in the spare room in the morning.
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