I really can't believe that James and I have been here for almost 3 weeks. It's a surreal thing. Needless to say, we are getting use to life here as much as we can and we are taking full advantage of what the city has to offer us. Since it is still Monsoon season it still rains on and off constantly, so we have to bring an umbrella with us wherever we go.
Although I did not go out that much last week during the day, James and I manage to find things to do in the afternoon/night/weekend.
On Tuesday, I got to spend the morning at the Consulate and had lunch with some great people. That afternoon I experienced Uber India alone and it was great. You may not know this about me but, I always get really nervous when I get into a cab/uber by myself no matter where I am. Why? Well I think I have a fear of being kidnapped. My driver was very nice and he got me home safely and with minimal directions from me. That afternoon James and I interviwed our new housekeeper Greta. She is a very kind and helpful woman and we are happy she has joined us.
Wednesday was a little bit low key since I wanted to be home for Greta's first day with us. That day Greta when to the market and got us delicious fruits and vegetables and she also cooked for us. I told her that we did not eat a lot of Indian food, but, that we wanted to learn to eat it and enjoy it, so I left it up to her to make us something. She ended up making us rice with chiken in Hoisin sauce, which is a milder sauce. We invited our friend Che for dinner and we all enjoyed Greta's lovely meal.
Thursday was a great day. I met James at the Consulate in the afternoon and watched him as he did his first Crossfit WOD. He really enjoyed it and I had a great time watching everyone do the workouts. Maybe one day I'll join them. That night, we set off to the Sofitel Hotel, a hotel near the Consulate, where the Brits were hosting Cigar Night. Here we had the chance to meet other people that work in the Consulate, people that work in the High Commision (British version of the Cosulate), and some other German, French, Indian and British business people. This event is a once a month event and it is great. For rp1200 ( $20) you get an open bar, all you can eat food and endless conversations. It was nice to meet people and get to network with them.
On Friday, I stayed home and just hung out. That night one of our neighbors invited us for a small gathering for some food and good conversation. And man, did he deliver... He welcomed us with some bubbly and cheese. Then he enamoured us with his mushroom soup. Now, if you know me, I am not a big fan of mushrooms, but this mushroom soup is the best soup I've ever eaten in my life. Then, he wowed us with Water Buffalo Steak. Now, once again this was the first time I had Water Buffalo meat and it was great. When we were all full, he surprised us once more with homemade chocolate mousse. Nevertheless, we continued the night among new and "old" friends just making memories.
Saturday was a little different due to the fact that I woke up with a massive pain in my lower back. James took me to breakfast at a french creperie named Suzette. Now, this is a place we will be returning many times during our 2 years here. After that we set off to do a little shopping, but both my back and the monsoon did not allow us to continue. That night we were supposed to go to a pool party at the same hotel we attended Cigar Night, but, due to my back, we decided to stay in. We settled for an Indian movie named Midnight's Children. It is based on a book by Salman Rushdie, and it is about the Indian Partition from the British. It is really interesting movie and I'm pretty sure those of you who are history buffs will like it.
On Sunday I still woke up with backpain but we still met Che and Michael for Brunch, but where else but "Suzette's". Michael wanted to do some shopping so we set to explore the Pali Market area and found some cute little shops that I want to explore later. In the afternoon we were invited to take part in "Narali Poornima is a Koli holy day welcoming the new fishing season. Boats are cleaned up and repainted, repaired, etc. And a parade full of dancing fishing villagers march down the road. Then at the waterfront, they perform religious ceremonies altogether and throw coconuts into the ocean."
I will write about this experience on the next blog because it deserves its own entry.
I hope you all enjoyed this entry. I will keep the post coming as fast as I can write them.
Nats
Although I did not go out that much last week during the day, James and I manage to find things to do in the afternoon/night/weekend.
On Tuesday, I got to spend the morning at the Consulate and had lunch with some great people. That afternoon I experienced Uber India alone and it was great. You may not know this about me but, I always get really nervous when I get into a cab/uber by myself no matter where I am. Why? Well I think I have a fear of being kidnapped. My driver was very nice and he got me home safely and with minimal directions from me. That afternoon James and I interviwed our new housekeeper Greta. She is a very kind and helpful woman and we are happy she has joined us.
Wednesday was a little bit low key since I wanted to be home for Greta's first day with us. That day Greta when to the market and got us delicious fruits and vegetables and she also cooked for us. I told her that we did not eat a lot of Indian food, but, that we wanted to learn to eat it and enjoy it, so I left it up to her to make us something. She ended up making us rice with chiken in Hoisin sauce, which is a milder sauce. We invited our friend Che for dinner and we all enjoyed Greta's lovely meal.
Thursday was a great day. I met James at the Consulate in the afternoon and watched him as he did his first Crossfit WOD. He really enjoyed it and I had a great time watching everyone do the workouts. Maybe one day I'll join them. That night, we set off to the Sofitel Hotel, a hotel near the Consulate, where the Brits were hosting Cigar Night. Here we had the chance to meet other people that work in the Consulate, people that work in the High Commision (British version of the Cosulate), and some other German, French, Indian and British business people. This event is a once a month event and it is great. For rp1200 ( $20) you get an open bar, all you can eat food and endless conversations. It was nice to meet people and get to network with them.
On Friday, I stayed home and just hung out. That night one of our neighbors invited us for a small gathering for some food and good conversation. And man, did he deliver... He welcomed us with some bubbly and cheese. Then he enamoured us with his mushroom soup. Now, if you know me, I am not a big fan of mushrooms, but this mushroom soup is the best soup I've ever eaten in my life. Then, he wowed us with Water Buffalo Steak. Now, once again this was the first time I had Water Buffalo meat and it was great. When we were all full, he surprised us once more with homemade chocolate mousse. Nevertheless, we continued the night among new and "old" friends just making memories.
Saturday was a little different due to the fact that I woke up with a massive pain in my lower back. James took me to breakfast at a french creperie named Suzette. Now, this is a place we will be returning many times during our 2 years here. After that we set off to do a little shopping, but both my back and the monsoon did not allow us to continue. That night we were supposed to go to a pool party at the same hotel we attended Cigar Night, but, due to my back, we decided to stay in. We settled for an Indian movie named Midnight's Children. It is based on a book by Salman Rushdie, and it is about the Indian Partition from the British. It is really interesting movie and I'm pretty sure those of you who are history buffs will like it.
On Sunday I still woke up with backpain but we still met Che and Michael for Brunch, but where else but "Suzette's". Michael wanted to do some shopping so we set to explore the Pali Market area and found some cute little shops that I want to explore later. In the afternoon we were invited to take part in "Narali Poornima is a Koli holy day welcoming the new fishing season. Boats are cleaned up and repainted, repaired, etc. And a parade full of dancing fishing villagers march down the road. Then at the waterfront, they perform religious ceremonies altogether and throw coconuts into the ocean."
I will write about this experience on the next blog because it deserves its own entry.
I hope you all enjoyed this entry. I will keep the post coming as fast as I can write them.
Nats
Love it!
ReplyDeleteYou are certainly taking advantage of immersing yourselves in a different culture!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I am looking forward to more.
ReplyDelete