Sitting at the airport now, just waiting for our flight to be called. Its been an exciting,emotional,exhausting 7 months in India. Can't wait to land in the UK, although not looking forward to the cold as I think it will be a real shock to the system!
One last observation from the streets of Mumbai before we hit normality. I've mentioned the huge amount of pipe laying going on at the moment and the way the workers dig the trench manually. So starting point is a heavy metal pole around 2m long which has a spike on the end to break the road surface up. Lift pole up above your head and slam it, spike first, into the road. A very skillful job, maximum concentration required especially as the man working and the one standing next to him are all wearing flip flops! What could possible go wrong. It reminds me of the slapstick films where the action is predictable. I imagine that of the three guys standing round the main man all have jobs too - two to free the man from the road surface when he spears his foot and the other one to pull it out as the guy would have passed out! The two can then take the injured man to the side of the road whilst the other gets on with breaking through the road surfacen in a seemless example of efficency!
Thursday, 16 December 2010
16th December 2010 - Indian tow rope
Passed a little van being towed by another on the way to work today. The vans were tied together with around 20 - 30 short coloured rags all tied together, the sort of thing you used to read about as a child for knotting together sheets to escape from your bedroom window when you should be in bed.
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
14th December 2010 - Near miss
I remember a number of years back when I was working with Susie's cousin, we engaged a health and safety consultant to assess our working practices. One aspect he noted was the 'near miss'. This isn't actually an accident, simply an accident waiting to happen! Today at work the window cleaners returned for their monthly glass cleaning session. The offices extend over 8 stories and the central reception/lift shafts are connected to Tower 1 (left) and Tower 2(right) by a series of glass clad ariel walkways. These connecting walkways get very dirty and are part of the monthly cleaning program. As they are suspended above the ground and there is no way of getting from the walkways to clean the glass this has to be done from the outside. The cleaning crew use a portable scaffold tower which they build up to reach all 8 stories (approx height 100 feet). However, they are not completely mad, they do tie it onto the ariel walkway, well at least to one of the glass walkways...using string. Although this isn't the worse 'near miss' of this whole exercise, it is the cleaner who climbs off the scaffold tower and walks along the top of the glass walkway with a mop, washing the glass on top, with nothing more than an orange jumpsuit and a pair of oversized wellies on, now that really is an accident waiting to happen.
Monday, 13 December 2010
11th December 2010 - Christmas Drinks
Think I must have eaten something dodgy last night as I have a poorly tum today. Susie, caring as ever, sends me off to the shops with a massive shopping list of drink and food for our Christmas drinks party. I made it to the coffee shop before having to run to the washroom - phew! About an hour later I was in the nice little supermarket which stocks lots of imported products. I really need to run to the washroom again and was led out of the shop, round the side of the building along the rear of the building and to the gents. Horrific is the first word that sprung to mind, not a chance I was going to sit on the toilet seat and there was no toilet paper, just a bucket with water in it to clear yourself afterwards. I had heard about this before but not seen/experienced it. So, massive dilema - do you accept the fact that if you don't 'get on with it' you are going to sh*t your pants in about 30 seconds or try and somehow crouch over the toilet and accept the fact that shortly after the relief you are going to have to wipe your ar*e with your hand?
Our drinks party was a great success, lots of people, lots of happy banter, few drinks and lovely food, had a very happy evening, even with my badly burnt arm.
Burnt arm? Yup, whilst I was letting the pressure out of a pressure cooker, Susie helpfully opened the top which blew the scalding, high pressure water and chickpeas up my arm, burning my wrist - lots of pain only made worse by the fact that following about an hour with my arm in ice cold water, Susie helpfully applied Savlon cream and the pain was dreadful! Feeling better now, and arm is recovering well although sticking to using Aloe from our Aloe Vera plant.
Our drinks party was a great success, lots of people, lots of happy banter, few drinks and lovely food, had a very happy evening, even with my badly burnt arm.
Burnt arm? Yup, whilst I was letting the pressure out of a pressure cooker, Susie helpfully opened the top which blew the scalding, high pressure water and chickpeas up my arm, burning my wrist - lots of pain only made worse by the fact that following about an hour with my arm in ice cold water, Susie helpfully applied Savlon cream and the pain was dreadful! Feeling better now, and arm is recovering well although sticking to using Aloe from our Aloe Vera plant.
10th December 2010 - Paaarty
Christmas party Mumbai style. But first a group of us went to a local school which opens its doors after hours to a charity who provide education for kids whose parents can't afford to send their children to school. Called the Udaan School, there are about 300 pupils who come in at 3.30pm until around 6pm. Full set of lessons taugh and even one of the expupils has been awarded a scolarship place at college. So, Capita amoungst others, provide funding for the school and also extra effort at Christmas so that presents can be purchased. So we pitched up complete with 300+ goodie bags and a friend of mine acting as Father Christmas. The kids were delighted and it was a great experience to think that some of the money raised was used to make them feel special.
Still weird to be in a classroom with the sun flooding through the windows, a christmas tree in the corner and kids getting presents from Santa!
In the evening we went across to Juhu beach and had a Christmas party at the Novatel. Very nice hotel right on the beach front. Party was standard Indian fare - thumping tunes very early in the evening, 90% of the dance floor filled up with sweaty men but a good laugh! I took it upon myself to try and get into every photo that was being taken, which was good fun and no one seemed to mind!
Still weird to be in a classroom with the sun flooding through the windows, a christmas tree in the corner and kids getting presents from Santa!
In the evening we went across to Juhu beach and had a Christmas party at the Novatel. Very nice hotel right on the beach front. Party was standard Indian fare - thumping tunes very early in the evening, 90% of the dance floor filled up with sweaty men but a good laugh! I took it upon myself to try and get into every photo that was being taken, which was good fun and no one seemed to mind!
Sunday, 12 December 2010
15th December 2010 - Plates
Been trying to find a comment to sum up Mumbai. One thought is 'it will be nice when it is finished' although it still won't. One new one is maybe to liken Mumbai to spinning plates. There is so much development going on, whether it be housing, road building, pipe laying not to mention redoing what was done before there is always something in a state of completion. So taking the plate spinning idea it is like they are spinning plates but when they don't keep them spinning, they just spin some more instead and never clear up the broken plates either.
13th December 2010 - Many uses
Amoungst all the concrete in Mumbai, one natural material stands out - Bamboo. The construction industry use it for creating massively tall scaffolding for building, painting and other renovation work due to its lightweight yet strong properties. One the shortcut into work there was complete gridlock and to start with the problem wasn't clear. As we eventally crept forward the problem became apparent. A drain in the middle of the road has collapsed leaving a massive hole in the road. Some helpful soul had covered the hole with strips of bamboo...which had promptly caved in when a bus had tried to drive over it! There are moments here where you wonder!
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
9th December 2010 - Manpower
December is obviously cable laying time in Mumbai, it seems everywhere I go the road is beinmg dug up (by hand) and electrical or communication cables are being laid. This creates huge traffic problems as there is little in the way of traffic control. This morning a group of around 40 workers were hauling a huge cable off of a equally huge cable drum. In the UK this would be mechanised, here, like the act of digging up the road, they simply rely on huge number of labourers to do it. Question is, who is right?
A little while back I mentioned the multi purpose trees. Today one such tree was laying on its side, the trench that had been dug to take the new cables had undermined it! The tree, still complete with all of its cables and signs laying uselessly on the floor not even being good at being a tree anymore let alone all its other roles.
A little while back I mentioned the multi purpose trees. Today one such tree was laying on its side, the trench that had been dug to take the new cables had undermined it! The tree, still complete with all of its cables and signs laying uselessly on the floor not even being good at being a tree anymore let alone all its other roles.
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
8th December 2010 - Christmas is coming
Getting excited about Christmas, back in England to see all of our friends and family and marking the end of what has been a roler coaster year full of landmarks - moving to India, 40th birthday, new baby on the way, not to mention actually coping with life in India! Don't want to sound negative as it has been truely amazing!
Poor Darcy has a new injury to add to her list of minor illnesses. Yesterday at school a teacher opened the classroom door over her toe, almost taken the nail off and lifted a large flap of skin. She has been amazing, must have been truely painful. I took one look at it when I reached home last night and took her to the hospital to get it checked. The Dr had a look changed the dressing and referred her to a Surgeon, appointment made for this evening. In all this she hasn't really blinked, few tears at school but stayed on to complete the morning. Meeting her teacher this morning we spent longer consoling her that all was ok than we did with Darcy!
Susie started Christmas shopping yesterday, the flat now filling up with decorations, even the car has a hanging father christmas from the rear view mirror - slightly weird to see him and the brilliant sunshine together!
Poor Darcy has a new injury to add to her list of minor illnesses. Yesterday at school a teacher opened the classroom door over her toe, almost taken the nail off and lifted a large flap of skin. She has been amazing, must have been truely painful. I took one look at it when I reached home last night and took her to the hospital to get it checked. The Dr had a look changed the dressing and referred her to a Surgeon, appointment made for this evening. In all this she hasn't really blinked, few tears at school but stayed on to complete the morning. Meeting her teacher this morning we spent longer consoling her that all was ok than we did with Darcy!
Susie started Christmas shopping yesterday, the flat now filling up with decorations, even the car has a hanging father christmas from the rear view mirror - slightly weird to see him and the brilliant sunshine together!
8th December 2010 - Christmas is coming
Getting excited about Christmas, back in England to see all of our friends and family and marking the end of what has been a roler coaster year full of landmarks - moving to India, 40th birthday, new baby on the way, not to mention actually coping with life in India! Don't want to sound negative as it has been truely amazing!
Poor Darcy has a new injury to add to her list of minor illnesses. Yesterday at school a teacher opened the classroom door over her toe, almost taken the nail off and lifted a large flap of skin. She has been amazing, must have been truely painful. I took one look at it when I reached home last night and took her to the hospital to get it checked. The Dr had a look changed the dressing and referred her to a Surgeon, appointment made for this evening. In all this she hasn't really blinked, few tears at school but stayed on to complete the morning. Meeting her teacher this morning we spent longer consoling her that all was ok than we did with Darcy!
Susie started Christmas shopping yesterday, the flat now filling up with decorations, even the car has a hanging father christmas from the rear view mirror - slightly weird to see him and the brilliant sunshine together!
Poor Darcy has a new injury to add to her list of minor illnesses. Yesterday at school a teacher opened the classroom door over her toe, almost taken the nail off and lifted a large flap of skin. She has been amazing, must have been truely painful. I took one look at it when I reached home last night and took her to the hospital to get it checked. The Dr had a look changed the dressing and referred her to a Surgeon, appointment made for this evening. In all this she hasn't really blinked, few tears at school but stayed on to complete the morning. Meeting her teacher this morning we spent longer consoling her that all was ok than we did with Darcy!
Susie started Christmas shopping yesterday, the flat now filling up with decorations, even the car has a hanging father christmas from the rear view mirror - slightly weird to see him and the brilliant sunshine together!
7th December 2010 - Tripping the light
Having been out and about more during the evenings recently, both on nights out and getting home later from work, I've noticed more and more vehicles with additional lights. Obviously there are still vehicles which either don't use the ones they have or the lights are broken and don't work but some carry additional LED lights in various colours adorning the underside of the vehicles, around the mirrors, around the number plate etc. These lights turn these battered vehicles into a mobile light show. And then this evening, on my way back from the hospital with Darcy, I saw my favourite so far. The owner had rigged up red LED lights around the front and rear door handles which lit up when the brakes were applied. Funny thing was that I can only assume he had used the feed from the rear lights as they didn't light up at the same time!
Friday, 3 December 2010
3rd December 2010 - Kites
I'd always been taught that flying kites near overhead electrical cables was a dangerous thing. Obviously they have never had the benefit of the 'Charlie says' safety campaigns of the 70's and 80's. The number of small kites you see stuck in overhead powerlines is truely amazing, almost as if the kids have gone out of their way to try and tangle them up there. I haven't seen any resultant ash piles on the ground (actually to be fair I'm not sure they would stand out much anyway) so maybe the 'safety' advice dished out by Charlie was well meaning but ultimately misguided!
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
2nd December 2010 - Multitasking tree
Even the trees work hard here. Jobs include carrying advertising sign, supporting various shops/house structures, places to worship, carrying phone and electricity cables. I'd noticed that all of the trees that lined the main road have also now been painted. Bottom 1m of the trunk is an earthy brown followed by a white band. The white band is to ensure the tree is easier to spot at night and the brown colour? This ensures that people who chew pan and spit can do so against the lower trunk and it doesn't show up - brilliant!
1st December 2010 - What no advent calendar!
Susie and I went to the Oberoi International School today to have a look at an alternative school for Max. Great school, lovely surroundings and amazing facilities, only problem is the £9,000 required to fund the last 5 months of the 5th Year! On the way to the school we were stuck in traffic and I was made to jump when a knock at the window made me turn around to come face to face with a man dressed up as a woman begging for money! As we waited and waited a small group of children walked past, they lived on the street under the flyover and seemed a happy bunch, who spotted Susie and I in the car and want money too. Not given any money yet as we have been warned not to but these guys seemed genuine so we gave them a handful of change which they seemed delighted with. We then spent the next few minutes face pulling and making them laugh which was a good way to spend time and they seemed very happy. Must be hard to grow up so fast on the side of a busy road with nothing more than you stand up in.
Leaving the office tonight I had a great idea, rather than sit in the traffic on leaving work for 20 minutes to arrive back roughly where we started, I would get Aftab to leave 20 minutes ahead of me and I would then leave work and cross 2 lanes of anywhere between 8 and 12 lanes of traffic (lack of lane discipline) and meet him on the other side of the main crossroads - genius! However crossing that much traffic in the dark, all moving at different speeds, sometimes in the wrong direction was less than a joke and I'm sure I won't be doing it again in a hurry....although I did manage to shave 30 minutes of my journey time so maybe, just maybe I will take my life in my hands again and try again tomorrow night!
Leaving the office tonight I had a great idea, rather than sit in the traffic on leaving work for 20 minutes to arrive back roughly where we started, I would get Aftab to leave 20 minutes ahead of me and I would then leave work and cross 2 lanes of anywhere between 8 and 12 lanes of traffic (lack of lane discipline) and meet him on the other side of the main crossroads - genius! However crossing that much traffic in the dark, all moving at different speeds, sometimes in the wrong direction was less than a joke and I'm sure I won't be doing it again in a hurry....although I did manage to shave 30 minutes of my journey time so maybe, just maybe I will take my life in my hands again and try again tomorrow night!
Monday, 29 November 2010
30th November 2010 - Hot dang!
Hiranandani Gardens is an interesting place to live, a blend of East meets West which makes the transition into India slightly easier. However you still get enough of everyday India to fill a blog!
The latest is the road resurfacing or rather large patches of resurfacing going on at present. Surprisingly they are resurfacing a tarmac road using tarmac and not the bricksets or concrete they love so much. No fancy tarmac machines so issue No 1, how to heat up the barrels of tar? Step 1 lay two 40 gallon drums on their side and build a fire in between them and leave until tar is hot enough. Now I've not seen quite how they pick up barrels once they are that hot but obviously they do somehow. Next stage is to mix it with the chippings and lay it and finally roadroller to make the bumpiest surface known to man! I think I've found out what the problem is - no traffic control at all. Rather than shutting off the road to allow the long process to complete the workforce leave the road open and drivers simply pick their way through the work going on, so no matter how good a roadroller is, the traffic driving through soft road surface puts dents in the new surface that can't be straightened out!
The latest is the road resurfacing or rather large patches of resurfacing going on at present. Surprisingly they are resurfacing a tarmac road using tarmac and not the bricksets or concrete they love so much. No fancy tarmac machines so issue No 1, how to heat up the barrels of tar? Step 1 lay two 40 gallon drums on their side and build a fire in between them and leave until tar is hot enough. Now I've not seen quite how they pick up barrels once they are that hot but obviously they do somehow. Next stage is to mix it with the chippings and lay it and finally roadroller to make the bumpiest surface known to man! I think I've found out what the problem is - no traffic control at all. Rather than shutting off the road to allow the long process to complete the workforce leave the road open and drivers simply pick their way through the work going on, so no matter how good a roadroller is, the traffic driving through soft road surface puts dents in the new surface that can't be straightened out!
29th November 2010 - Vehicle chess
It is facinating to watch the positioning of vehicles on the road, journeys turning into a game of chess as various moves that each driver pulls off either being strategic to gain position further up the road, full on aggressive positioning, blocking moves if you like and then from time to time stalemate! Aftab has a particular specialism, using waiting vehicles as a blocker to gain advantage and jump ahead - 40% of the time it works everytime.
One other thought on the traffic today is what would happen if lines were painted on the road and people did drive with any sort of lane discipline. Not sure it would help, feels like gridlock would result, still I'll never know as that is never going to happen!
One other thought on the traffic today is what would happen if lines were painted on the road and people did drive with any sort of lane discipline. Not sure it would help, feels like gridlock would result, still I'll never know as that is never going to happen!
Sunday, 28 November 2010
28th November 2010 - Babysitting
On our way to pick up Susie and Max from the airport, Dar and I stopped to buy some flowers. Jumping out of the car narrowly avoiding the trench that had been dug all along the road. The trench was being dug completely by hand, even the tarmac was being broken up using a long metal pole to piece the surface before breaking up the hardcore and eventually getting to the soil which was loaded into wicker baskets hauled to the surface by hardy women folk. The spoil was heaped up by the side of the trench. This pile of tarmac, hardcore and soil then created the perfect play area for the couples 6 month old baby to play whilst her parents worked.
Friday, 26 November 2010
26th November 2010 - 2 year anniversary
Two years ago today Mumbai was attacked with terrorists taking control of the Taj, Oberoi and other landmark hotel and killing '00 of people. Doesn't seem possible when you actually see these places, the extreme violence totally at odds with the impressive opulence of these places where you would expect to be safe and pampered.
Lots of stories in the papers, including the one about the fishermen who landed the terrorists at the Gateway. Apparently they did question the terrorists but were told to mind their own business. Special training has now been given to the fishermen to ensure that they report any terrorist activity to the Coastguards. In fact, just help the fishermen get over the trauma and check how they would act if it happened again, the security forces pretended to be terrorists and staged a training session.....without telling the fishermen. Any other place in the world and there would be a massive lawsuit for the stress caused, but not here.
Proudly rode to Nursery with Darcy this morning, the ride to Nursery was ok, hard work but ok. The ride back home left me sweating buckets in the heat and it took me about an hour to cool down. Goodness knows how thee guys ride them all day long with massively heavy loads - the most impressive has to be six large gas cylinders, even empty they weigh about 15kg each!
Lots of stories in the papers, including the one about the fishermen who landed the terrorists at the Gateway. Apparently they did question the terrorists but were told to mind their own business. Special training has now been given to the fishermen to ensure that they report any terrorist activity to the Coastguards. In fact, just help the fishermen get over the trauma and check how they would act if it happened again, the security forces pretended to be terrorists and staged a training session.....without telling the fishermen. Any other place in the world and there would be a massive lawsuit for the stress caused, but not here.
Proudly rode to Nursery with Darcy this morning, the ride to Nursery was ok, hard work but ok. The ride back home left me sweating buckets in the heat and it took me about an hour to cool down. Goodness knows how thee guys ride them all day long with massively heavy loads - the most impressive has to be six large gas cylinders, even empty they weigh about 15kg each!
25th November 2010 - Sleek and Black
Susie and Max flew to Dubai last night so this is my first day off with Darcy, so I took her into Nursery and then went and read the paper in the local coffeeshop. I could get used to this babysitting lark!
Aftab, picked me up at 12 and I went and picked up Darcy from Nursery. In the afternoon, we went over to the bike shop in Ghatkopar and I finally took the plunge a bought myself a traditional black bike. The standard bike comes with metal rod operated brakes, extra frame across the top, flat bars and single speed. Weighs about as much as a small motorbike. Rs 2600 (about £33) before I started to load it with extras. I say 'I' but it was a combination of the parts I wanted and those that Aftab thought that Darcy would like! So, I added a rear chrome rack, chrome front fork brace, small extra seat on the crossbar and sturdy centre stand. Aftab added pink candy stripe brake lever covers, some weird spiky pink handbar ends and red springy covers for the front fork brace. An Englishman riding a very Indian bike certainly turns heads, especially with Darcy sat on the crossbar, the pink attachments arn't quite what I had in mind, even less so when I ride it on my own!
Aftab, picked me up at 12 and I went and picked up Darcy from Nursery. In the afternoon, we went over to the bike shop in Ghatkopar and I finally took the plunge a bought myself a traditional black bike. The standard bike comes with metal rod operated brakes, extra frame across the top, flat bars and single speed. Weighs about as much as a small motorbike. Rs 2600 (about £33) before I started to load it with extras. I say 'I' but it was a combination of the parts I wanted and those that Aftab thought that Darcy would like! So, I added a rear chrome rack, chrome front fork brace, small extra seat on the crossbar and sturdy centre stand. Aftab added pink candy stripe brake lever covers, some weird spiky pink handbar ends and red springy covers for the front fork brace. An Englishman riding a very Indian bike certainly turns heads, especially with Darcy sat on the crossbar, the pink attachments arn't quite what I had in mind, even less so when I ride it on my own!
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
24th November 2010 - Excess
The news headline on the front of the Mumbai Mirror said ' This is no light bill', the story covered the size of Mukesh Ambani's (owner of the Reliance Group) first months electricity bill having moved into his new home in South Mumbai. I've driven past this place and it is colossal, the stats are impressive, or maybe given the abject poverty all about in dreadfully poor taste:
His home is a 60 story purpose built, state of the art apartment block...
for him, his wife and their three children....
and his 600 staff.
Three helipads on the roof along with their own air traffic control room, 6 floors dedicated to park 168 cars complete with their own in house service garage. A 50 seater home cinema, swimming pool, gym and health club. Elevated hanging garden with trees and plants spanning 4 stories, the property comes in at a cool 37,000 square metres of space, larger than that of the Palace of Versailles. Guestimated value is quoted as Rs 4,567 crore, which is around £45m not bad for a plot of land purchased for $1.
Almost forgot, the first months electricity bill....Rs 70 lakh or £98,000 (after discounts) - he is quoted as being BEST energys best customer! To help position this it equates to 637,240 units, average consumption for a normal house in Mumbai with all normal electric gadgets is around 300 units.
23rd November 2010 - .....on a bicycle made for 4!
In the words of the song I'm pretty sure that the 'bicycle made for two' is actually a tandem.
Now I've already seen a family of five on a motorbike, the kids when once would have been carried by the Mother, now were to old and required their own space. The bike was literally dragging along the ground under the combined weight of the grown up family.
Not to be out done on the way to work today I saw one of the old black utility bikes with three extra seats bolted to the crossbar and a large rack on the back, so potential passenger capacity was five. At least the motorbike rider had a 125cc engine, this poor bloke had a single speed bike designed in the 1940s!
Now I've already seen a family of five on a motorbike, the kids when once would have been carried by the Mother, now were to old and required their own space. The bike was literally dragging along the ground under the combined weight of the grown up family.
Not to be out done on the way to work today I saw one of the old black utility bikes with three extra seats bolted to the crossbar and a large rack on the back, so potential passenger capacity was five. At least the motorbike rider had a 125cc engine, this poor bloke had a single speed bike designed in the 1940s!
22nd November 2010 - Wedding
Susie, Max and Darcy were in Pune to attend the wedding of Cecelia's daughter. They'd stayed over night in a nice 5* hotel on the Sunday evening to ensure that they were refreshed and ready to enjoy the days celebrations. Sad thing was that the weather had other ideas so they were unable to use the roof top infinity pool, Darcy managed to get wet and in what is becoming a regular occurance, stripped off to her pants, Max wasn't too well and managed to wake Susie and Darcy up at 4am trying to get a drink of water in the darkened room, so all in all 'refreshed' was the last thing any of them felt!
The wedding was a simple but enjoable affair, the celebration lasts far longer than it does in the UK and certain bits seem to happen whilst the guests chat amoungst themselves!
The three travellers arrived back just before me in the evening, having made good time in the three hour journey.
The wedding was a simple but enjoable affair, the celebration lasts far longer than it does in the UK and certain bits seem to happen whilst the guests chat amoungst themselves!
The three travellers arrived back just before me in the evening, having made good time in the three hour journey.
Sunday, 21 November 2010
21st November 2010 - Home alone
Susie, Max and Darcy left for Pune this morning to attend the wedding of our maids daughter. The journey took about 3 hours which is about right. I'd booked them into the 5 star Westin Hotel, with visions of them lazing by the roof top infinity pool, relaxing on sun loungers. Shame that the weather had other ideas and it was raining when they got there!
What to do, oh what to do whilst they are away...? With so many potential options the risk is that you end up doing nothing of note, so I settled on a few laps on Grand Tourismo with the sound turned right up, the music off and a heavily modified car in manual to test my gaming skills. Five minutes later I'd had enough gaming, so had a look at painting the flat walls with some paint we bought a few weeks back. Paint turned out to be lumpy and unusable, so I went to pick up some photos. When I arrived they still hadn't been developed so waited for 10 minutes whilst they dumped them onto a disc. I then spent 10 minutes choosing the ones I wanted printed and left. Back home I started watching Goooooood Morning Vietnam, which I've seen before although many years ago now. Tried to download a program from iplayer but computer wasn't playing ball. Ended up watching BBC programs on the computer using Expatshield, which sets you up with a UK IP address to gain access to UK TV - brilliant! So spoilt for choice I then watch a number of programs and catch up on some excellent radio. Still trying to watch the end of Goooooood Morning Vietnam so no time for cooking - plough through a bowl of Dorset Muslei that I'd bought earlier today!
Retired to bed at 9pm to read my new book, The Motorcycle Diaries, fell asleep shortly after......zzzzzzz.
What to do, oh what to do whilst they are away...? With so many potential options the risk is that you end up doing nothing of note, so I settled on a few laps on Grand Tourismo with the sound turned right up, the music off and a heavily modified car in manual to test my gaming skills. Five minutes later I'd had enough gaming, so had a look at painting the flat walls with some paint we bought a few weeks back. Paint turned out to be lumpy and unusable, so I went to pick up some photos. When I arrived they still hadn't been developed so waited for 10 minutes whilst they dumped them onto a disc. I then spent 10 minutes choosing the ones I wanted printed and left. Back home I started watching Goooooood Morning Vietnam, which I've seen before although many years ago now. Tried to download a program from iplayer but computer wasn't playing ball. Ended up watching BBC programs on the computer using Expatshield, which sets you up with a UK IP address to gain access to UK TV - brilliant! So spoilt for choice I then watch a number of programs and catch up on some excellent radio. Still trying to watch the end of Goooooood Morning Vietnam so no time for cooking - plough through a bowl of Dorset Muslei that I'd bought earlier today!
Retired to bed at 9pm to read my new book, The Motorcycle Diaries, fell asleep shortly after......zzzzzzz.
Saturday, 20 November 2010
20th November 2010 - Lost in translation
We were invited to join the Haldi celebrations of one of our friends who is due to get married on Monday. The wedding celebrations start 3 days before the wedding. The bride to be sits down and all guests take turns to take a paste made of Turmeric, water and flour and smear her with it from foot to head. Three days after the wedding they do it all again only this time it is from head to foot, sybolic of removing the Haldi. Not too sure what Haldi actually is but I will try and find out!
On the way over to join the celebrations, we passed a resturant called 'On Toes'.
On the way over to join the celebrations, we passed a resturant called 'On Toes'.
Thursday, 18 November 2010
19th November 2010 - Gloves
Thank god it's Friday, crappy week and feeling exhausted (not sleeping well) and work is challenging to say the least!
Still always a little something to nake you smile, today as I passed one of the rubbish trucks, it stopped and the rubbish men jumped out of the cab, one of them pulling on a pair of crisp packet gloves before tackling the huge pile of rubbish!
Still always a little something to nake you smile, today as I passed one of the rubbish trucks, it stopped and the rubbish men jumped out of the cab, one of them pulling on a pair of crisp packet gloves before tackling the huge pile of rubbish!
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
15 - 18th November 2010 - Life goes on
For the first time in 5 months, nothing much is happening, just every day life.
Max is still feeding hia adopted street dog and puppies each day, although there are two less puppies than when he started.
Darcy has replaced her insect bites with Hand, foot and mouth which is a pretty common childhood illness but means once again she is covered in spots! This sums up her India experience as she has spent so much of her time covered in spots of one origin or another!
Susie is doing well, I think the heat is wearing her out and coupled with poor sleeping at night means she is very tired most of the timem. Still she is off to Pune on Sunday with the kids to stay over for a wedding on Monday. Then next week she is off to Dubai with Max for 4 days. I'm not able to go, actually very expensive and it wasn't to of my list so no biggie although I'll miss being with them.
And me? Mainly working followed by a bit more working. Had a night out at the ITC hotel with some UK visitors. Good food and actually a pretty entertaining evening.
Only 4 weeks and we'll all be back in the UK for Christmas, can't wait.
Max is still feeding hia adopted street dog and puppies each day, although there are two less puppies than when he started.
Darcy has replaced her insect bites with Hand, foot and mouth which is a pretty common childhood illness but means once again she is covered in spots! This sums up her India experience as she has spent so much of her time covered in spots of one origin or another!
Susie is doing well, I think the heat is wearing her out and coupled with poor sleeping at night means she is very tired most of the timem. Still she is off to Pune on Sunday with the kids to stay over for a wedding on Monday. Then next week she is off to Dubai with Max for 4 days. I'm not able to go, actually very expensive and it wasn't to of my list so no biggie although I'll miss being with them.
And me? Mainly working followed by a bit more working. Had a night out at the ITC hotel with some UK visitors. Good food and actually a pretty entertaining evening.
Only 4 weeks and we'll all be back in the UK for Christmas, can't wait.
Monday, 15 November 2010
14th November 2010 - Darcy, 1st class train traveller
I took Darcy on her first train journey today and the good news is that she loved it!
Aftab our driver took Darcy and I to Vikrolli station and I arranged with him to meet us again a few stations up the line at Bandhup. I entered the station, backpack on my back and Darcy in my arms and dutifully queued up with a room full of around 70 Inidans. Four serving windows and curiously 8 queues - each window showed a queue for 1st and 2nd class! Twenty minutes it took to to slowly move forward to the serving window at which point my window was closed so still holding Darcy and trying to keep my place, sweat pouring off me, I had to try and switch lanes and fend off people then trying to push past me. This didn't last long as I rather lost my temper and set a few people straight and then used my backpack to maintain a space so I could get my ticket. Ended up with a ticket to Bandra instead but at only Rs7 (11p) I didn't care that it was in the wrong direction for twice the price I had a ticket!
Strangly we were pretty much left alone on the platform save for a few smiles which made a nice change. Train arrived and we jumped onto the first carridge which happened to be first class....same as 2nd class with maybe 200 less people trying to get in, the carridge interior separated by bars between 1st and 2nd. Darcy and I sat down on the backpack near the open train doors and watched the world speed by, it really is a great experience and Darcy quietly enjoyed her ride.
Getting out at the other end I had a call from Aftab to say he was in place at the end of the bus depot. Walked along the whole platform, out into the heat, noise and bustle of an Indian market and the bus depot. I felt very relieved to see Aftab and jump into the quiet calm and cool interior of our car.....done my bit of integration for the day, now off home to watch the F1 race and then go swimming.
Aftab our driver took Darcy and I to Vikrolli station and I arranged with him to meet us again a few stations up the line at Bandhup. I entered the station, backpack on my back and Darcy in my arms and dutifully queued up with a room full of around 70 Inidans. Four serving windows and curiously 8 queues - each window showed a queue for 1st and 2nd class! Twenty minutes it took to to slowly move forward to the serving window at which point my window was closed so still holding Darcy and trying to keep my place, sweat pouring off me, I had to try and switch lanes and fend off people then trying to push past me. This didn't last long as I rather lost my temper and set a few people straight and then used my backpack to maintain a space so I could get my ticket. Ended up with a ticket to Bandra instead but at only Rs7 (11p) I didn't care that it was in the wrong direction for twice the price I had a ticket!
Strangly we were pretty much left alone on the platform save for a few smiles which made a nice change. Train arrived and we jumped onto the first carridge which happened to be first class....same as 2nd class with maybe 200 less people trying to get in, the carridge interior separated by bars between 1st and 2nd. Darcy and I sat down on the backpack near the open train doors and watched the world speed by, it really is a great experience and Darcy quietly enjoyed her ride.
Getting out at the other end I had a call from Aftab to say he was in place at the end of the bus depot. Walked along the whole platform, out into the heat, noise and bustle of an Indian market and the bus depot. I felt very relieved to see Aftab and jump into the quiet calm and cool interior of our car.....done my bit of integration for the day, now off home to watch the F1 race and then go swimming.
Sunday, 14 November 2010
15th November 2010 - Funny but wrong
Had a giggle this morning, on my way to work I passed a street dog with a bindi on its forehead. Little things....
Thursday, 11 November 2010
12th November 2010 - Load
You really do see some unusual and quite frankly dangerous loads being carried on motorbike, vans, trucks and even Tuk Tuks. I saw my all time favourite dangerous load today. A large welding gas bottle, laying across the floor of the Tuk Tuk with both ends sticking out either side of the Tuk Tuk. The thing I love most is that there is never more than a fag paper between vehicles on the road so it was only matter of time before some real damage was done. I watched it intently darting about in from of me with every near miss keeping me watching in facination! Only a matter of time before the valve struck something and the Tuk Tuk was blown side ways or blew up in an impressive fireball. Ah, I hear you say why would the bottle blow the Tuk Tuk side ways surely it would just shoot out and leave the Tuk Tuk where its was? Well because the passenger had secured his dangerous cargo by wedging it in using one of his flip flops!
11th November 2010 - Bats as big as cats
Seriously! Before today I'd only ever seen the pipistrel bat, cute like things that look so frail that they don't look capable of harming anything. The bats I saw this evening on the way home from work look capable of carrying off a small child!
Glad I'm in the car.
Glad I'm in the car.
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
10th November 2010 - Get what you pay for
Every evening when I leave work the car drives out of the compound and straight into the traffic jam that is Saki Naka junction (or Slack Knickers as it has been renamed) The buses that are stuck in traffic are rammed full of people, all seats taken, the aisles full upto 3 deep in the aisle front to back of the bus plus the standard 'hangers on'. Now bus travel is very very cheap but to see the misery on the passengers faces means I'd rather walk......it would be a lot quicker too no doubt!
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
8th November 2010 - Ppppuppy power
On Saturday night whilst out on the town we came across a litter of 7 puppies in the street. They didn't seem to be more than 3 weeks old and the kids naturally stopped to play with them. The mother was doing a great job of keeping them safe and feeding them although I've no idea what her diet must be as a few other people were feeding her chips. Max was quite upset and concerned so whilst out shopping today he bought some pedigree dry dog buscuits. As soon as I arrived home we loaded up with the buscuits and some milk and headed off. We found Mummy dog and puppies where we'd seen them before only this time the area was crowded with people waiting to leave work and poor Max got stage fright. I spoke to him briefly about remebering why he was doing this good deed and he sorted out the bowl of milk and buscuits and Mummy dog got stuck in which was good to see. The puppies woke up and the kids played with them for a while before we left them to their street life. I hope nothing happens to them and they stay safe, there is one less of them already since Saturday night.
5th November 2010 - Fireworks, OMG the Fireworks
Now I like a firework or two, every now and again - Ohh, ahh repeat if necessary. We got back from Kerala on Friday evening and not only was most of Mumbai covered in lights (which improved things no end) but by the time we got to the flat at about 6.30pm the fireworks were in full swing. Now I'm not talking the odd rocket, catherine wheel and sparkler, I'm talking a relentless ariel and groundbased bombardment of epic proportions. Starting on the ground you have the crackers, not your Tesco's value crackers but full on take your leg off crackers which came in strings which seemed to last between 1 and 5 minutes and sounded like small arms fire. This provided the backing track. Overlay ground based catherine wheels which weren't attached to anything, the idea being that you jumped over them as they fired off in random directions. Next up the mid range rockets which left the ground to about a height of 20 feet before exploding. Then the larger mortars which would fire anywhere between 50 and 300 feet and explode with varying degrees of force from making your windows shake to diving for cover as you expected the plate glass windows to be blown in. Did I mention that the noise was relentless? Upwards of 10 separate displays going on at once they started at around 6.30pm and went on until 3am. This happened the previous night too and on the Saturday night with the ferocity only starting to tail off on Sunday evening!
Speaking to a guy in the office he tells me that this year was quieter than last year when the fireworks would be let off during the day too!
Speaking to a guy in the office he tells me that this year was quieter than last year when the fireworks would be let off during the day too!
5th November 2010 - Fireworks, OMG the Fireworks
Now I like a firework or two, every now and again - Ohh, ahh repeat if necessary. We got back from Kerala on Friday evening and not only was most of Mumbai covered in lights (which improved things no end) but by the time we got to the flat at about 6.30pm the fireworks were in full swing. Now I'm not talking the odd rocket, catherine wheel and sparkler, I'm talking a relentless ariel and groundbased bombardment of epic proportions. Starting on the ground you have the crackers, not your Tesco's value crackers but full on take your leg off crackers which came in strings which seemed to last between 1 and 5 minutes and sounded like small arms fire. This provided the backing track. Overlay ground based catherine wheels which weren't attached to anything, the idea being that you jumped over them as they fired off in random directions. Next up the mid range rockets which left the ground to about a height of 20 feet before exploding. Then the larger mortars which would fire anywhere between 50 and 300 feet and explode with varying degrees of force from making your windows shake to diving for cover as you expected the plate glass windows to be blown in. Did I mention that the noise was relentless? Upwards of 10 separate displays going on at once they started at around 6.30pm and went on until 3am. This happened the previous night too and on the Saturday night with the ferocity only starting to tail off on Sunday evening!
Speaking to a guy in the office he tells me that this year was quieter than last year when the fireworks would be let off during the day too!
Speaking to a guy in the office he tells me that this year was quieter than last year when the fireworks would be let off during the day too!
Monday, 8 November 2010
4th November 2010 - Air cooled Ferrari
We took the ferry over to Fort Kochi this morning, another example of cheap public transport with the single trip for all 6 of us costing Rs10 which is about 15p.
Arrived in Fort Kochi and made our way past the usual touts, Tuk Tuk drivers all looking for business. Having walked a few hundred yards up the road we stopped as we actually had no idea where we were going. It was then that we saw two Tuk Tuks parked up and the young drivers offered to show us
the sights for Rs100 for a whole days hire. As we drove off the guy driving turned round to us and said 'welcome to my aircooled Ferrari'! This set the scene well and we had a great day buzzing about Fort Kochi, seeing the Chinese fishing nets, the old Fort ruins, the churches and not forgetting the 'locals' resturant, which was devoid of any locals although there were a lot of tourists who kept turning up in Tuk Tuks....wonder how many had asked to 'eat where the locals eat'?! Having said that the meal we had was excellent and a real mountain of food.
In the evening we headed to the seafood resturant in the hotel and had lovely fresh fish.
Arrived in Fort Kochi and made our way past the usual touts, Tuk Tuk drivers all looking for business. Having walked a few hundred yards up the road we stopped as we actually had no idea where we were going. It was then that we saw two Tuk Tuks parked up and the young drivers offered to show us
the sights for Rs100 for a whole days hire. As we drove off the guy driving turned round to us and said 'welcome to my aircooled Ferrari'! This set the scene well and we had a great day buzzing about Fort Kochi, seeing the Chinese fishing nets, the old Fort ruins, the churches and not forgetting the 'locals' resturant, which was devoid of any locals although there were a lot of tourists who kept turning up in Tuk Tuks....wonder how many had asked to 'eat where the locals eat'?! Having said that the meal we had was excellent and a real mountain of food.
In the evening we headed to the seafood resturant in the hotel and had lovely fresh fish.
3rd November 2010 - Arrived with a splash
Left the plantation around mid morning, just enough time to try our hand at making butter and sifting rice and eating a monster Indian breakfast!
Had a terrifying 3 hourts car journey to Kochi, nothing quite like overtaking a truck up hill round a bend only to be confronted by a lorry overtaking a Tuk Tuk, the lorry itself being overtaken by a bus coming towards you. This went on for the entire uncomfortable journey. You can imagine how pleased we were to arrive at the Taj Malabar on Willingdon Island for a bit of 5 star luxury. When we arrived our room wasn't ready so we went and sat out on the veranda over looking the sea. Having ordered a couple of mezze dishes to share and drinks we sat back to enjoy our light lunch and the fab sunshine. No more than 60 seconds later Max had knocked over his chocolate milkshake, covering his white shirt and the wind had blown Susie's lime soda over Darcy, who then stripped of to her pants and ran around the veranda like a little imp - the Thomlinsons have landed!
At 5.30 we gathered for a sunset cruise on a rice boat. On boarding the boat we were issued with life jackets which we all put on. Slightly unnerving or just safety focused??? Wonder how you would feel getting onto a plane and at the entrance being provided with a parachute!
The cruise was safely completed, beautiful sunset which set off the chinese fishing nets beautifully. A very peaceful end to a good fun day.
Had a terrifying 3 hourts car journey to Kochi, nothing quite like overtaking a truck up hill round a bend only to be confronted by a lorry overtaking a Tuk Tuk, the lorry itself being overtaken by a bus coming towards you. This went on for the entire uncomfortable journey. You can imagine how pleased we were to arrive at the Taj Malabar on Willingdon Island for a bit of 5 star luxury. When we arrived our room wasn't ready so we went and sat out on the veranda over looking the sea. Having ordered a couple of mezze dishes to share and drinks we sat back to enjoy our light lunch and the fab sunshine. No more than 60 seconds later Max had knocked over his chocolate milkshake, covering his white shirt and the wind had blown Susie's lime soda over Darcy, who then stripped of to her pants and ran around the veranda like a little imp - the Thomlinsons have landed!
At 5.30 we gathered for a sunset cruise on a rice boat. On boarding the boat we were issued with life jackets which we all put on. Slightly unnerving or just safety focused??? Wonder how you would feel getting onto a plane and at the entrance being provided with a parachute!
The cruise was safely completed, beautiful sunset which set off the chinese fishing nets beautifully. A very peaceful end to a good fun day.
Sunday, 7 November 2010
7th November 2010 - AF1
Obama's been in Mumbai this weekend, massive security operation and massive TV coverage - he is a pretty big deal here by all accounts.
Mum and Dad took Max and Darcy out for the afternoon leaving Susie and me to get on with a few jobs whilst all was quiet and calm. Our peaceful afternoon was shattered by the roar of jet engines coming from behind the flat. The noise got louder and louder and sounded as if the building was going to take a hit! Then when the noise was truely deafening and looking out from the front of the apartment a huge aircraft flew over Torino at about 1000 feet, still climbing hard from the airport just a few Km away. We've never had any aircraft fly directly over Powai like that so assumed that it was a special flight path for Big O. Concensus was that it was actually his support aircraft which carries his helicopter and cars - it was plenty big enough for that!
Mum and Dad took Max and Darcy out for the afternoon leaving Susie and me to get on with a few jobs whilst all was quiet and calm. Our peaceful afternoon was shattered by the roar of jet engines coming from behind the flat. The noise got louder and louder and sounded as if the building was going to take a hit! Then when the noise was truely deafening and looking out from the front of the apartment a huge aircraft flew over Torino at about 1000 feet, still climbing hard from the airport just a few Km away. We've never had any aircraft fly directly over Powai like that so assumed that it was a special flight path for Big O. Concensus was that it was actually his support aircraft which carries his helicopter and cars - it was plenty big enough for that!
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
2nd November 2010 - Elephants, '000s of em.
Alright maybe not 000's of them but 6 is still a pretty good count!
Started the day off with another hearty Indian breakfast. Anniversary of the formation of Kerala some 52 years ago as a result of partition. Dad, Max, Darcy and I went for a short walk outside the grounds and were rewarded with becoming the focal point of the locals. People came out of their houses to greet us as we wandered, a strange experience.
First trip of the day was with Jose Snr to see a local foundry where they create brass and bronze religious casts and things like oil lamps and bells. When we got there it was closed, the old guy we met there told us that the owners were away burying grandad, assume he was d
Started the day off with another hearty Indian breakfast. Anniversary of the formation of Kerala some 52 years ago as a result of partition. Dad, Max, Darcy and I went for a short walk outside the grounds and were rewarded with becoming the focal point of the locals. People came out of their houses to greet us as we wandered, a strange experience.
First trip of the day was with Jose Snr to see a local foundry where they create brass and bronze religious casts and things like oil lamps and bells. When we got there it was closed, the old guy we met there told us that the owners were away burying grandad, assume he was d
ead. Undeterred Jose gets on the phone and tells the guy that he has people who want to buy so to get his butt round and open up! No pressure - one bell and five small religious statues later plus a quick tour of the foundry and we were on our way to next stop.
Arrived a a little roadside weaver to look at material being made. One guy and his wife run a little weaving workshop, together with a small shop where they sell the stuff they make. Dad chose material to make a longyi and Susie a piece of sari fabric with real gold t
hread. We were then treated to a demo of the weaver in action. Same principal as any
loom with the shuttle, foot peddles etc except that it was all mounted on the floor, which meant that the weaver had to stand in a hole in the floor!
On our way back to the Plantation for a quick feast, Jose spots an Elephant laying in the water having a wash. Amazing spot as the river was some 30 feet below us. Emergency stop left us hanging in the seat belts, quick U turn and park up to have a closer look. The experience then got better as there was a set of steps leading down to the river and a large dugout canoe with a boat man ready to ferry us across the river to get up close and personal with the massive bull elephant. I will never forget this moment and I hope it will stay with the kids too as it was a chance meeting showing this beautiful creature being cared for by its owner who was standing on its sid
e scrubbing its skin with what looked like a coconut husk. The elephant was laying on its side in the water and every now and again it would wag its tail with pleasure. We got the boat back across the river and whilst waiting to climb the steps the elephant forded the river with the rider sat atop. He then walked up a slope by the steps and joined the road before disappearing into a plantation.
One massive Indian lunch served on a large banana leaf later and we set off to an elephant sanctuary. All I can be bother to say is 4 hours drive on some truly horrendous roads was not worth it for the 30 minutes we spent at one of the saddest places I have been too in a long time. With the benefit of hindsight we should have stayed by the pool and reflected on the brilliant morning....less is more!
e scrubbing its skin with what looked like a coconut husk. The elephant was laying on its side in the water and every now and again it would wag its tail with pleasure. We got the boat back across the river and whilst waiting to climb the steps the elephant forded the river with the rider sat atop. He then walked up a slope by the steps and joined the road before disappearing into a plantation.One massive Indian lunch served on a large banana leaf later and we set off to an elephant sanctuary. All I can be bother to say is 4 hours drive on some truly horrendous roads was not worth it for the 30 minutes we spent at one of the saddest places I have been too in a long time. With the benefit of hindsight we should have stayed by the pool and reflected on the brilliant morning....less is more!
Monday, 1 November 2010
01 November 2010 - Meenichil Enclave
What a great find! I'd found this place via the Mahindra Homestay website. The site is pretty much what you get in the UK, home owners register when they have a spare room for people to rent for holiday stays. So, found a plantation house in the middle of Kerala, with 25 acres of rubber and banana trees and a swimming pool. Great place, very relaxed and the owners looking after us very well. Miles away from anywhere, we decided to eat with the family each day. This entails a full Indian cooked breakfast, full spread at lunchtime, tea at 5pm then full evening meal at 9pm! Even if I did have the energy to do anything I am too full!
Spent the morning taking an extensive tour of the Platation, right from a demo of cutting the rubber tree, collecting the rubber, setting the rubber into 1kg moulds, wringing it out, squeezing it flat, drying on the line, drying indoors and finally hanging ready to sell. It is a great set up, the scrap rubber is also sold to make tires etc, the byproduct water is used to make some sort of gas for cooking, all rainwater is havested, even that that falls through the centre of the house into the open court yard, the banana leaves act as a mulch for the rubber trees, the cow slurry is used to make natural fertiliser and the guppy fish in the rain water tanks eat the mosquito lava to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitos.
Apart from the rubber and bananas, they also grow - grapefruits, pineapple, cloves, coffee, nutmeg, papya, peppercorns, cocconuts, figs, some sort of gooseberry and chillis. Our guide is Jose Snr or Sanjay Mears as I prefer on the basis that pretty much all he showed us he then ate, inc the outer casing of the nutmeg, a tiny green chilli and a banana flower. One of the best things about growing all of this stuff means that the food travels minimal distance from picking to the table. We have had everything from fresh grapefruit and pineapple juice for mid morning drink, banana curry for lunch, fresh milk straight from the cows, papya snacks, plantaines, honey, banana syrup from the banana flowers. All in all a very eco friendly set up, struggling to offset the eco disaster that is Mumbai!
Having the pool here is a god send, we have all beenn swimming twice today and the water temperature is just right. Still struggle sometimes to remember that it is November...warmest November I've ever experienced, wearing shorts and having to swim to cool down as it is 30 degrees!
This afternoon, Jose Snr showed us the old part of the plantation house, complete with wood fired stoves and a huge piece of granite teamed up with a rolling pin I could hardly lift for crushing herbs and spices to make up pastes for cooking. Realised that all of our delicious food is prepared by this cook down in the dark bowls of the old house in a few rooms blackened by wood smoke. Quite a contrast to the beautiful surroundings of the new plantation house with its carved wood and marbled floors.
Spent the morning taking an extensive tour of the Platation, right from a demo of cutting the rubber tree, collecting the rubber, setting the rubber into 1kg moulds, wringing it out, squeezing it flat, drying on the line, drying indoors and finally hanging ready to sell. It is a great set up, the scrap rubber is also sold to make tires etc, the byproduct water is used to make some sort of gas for cooking, all rainwater is havested, even that that falls through the centre of the house into the open court yard, the banana leaves act as a mulch for the rubber trees, the cow slurry is used to make natural fertiliser and the guppy fish in the rain water tanks eat the mosquito lava to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitos.
Apart from the rubber and bananas, they also grow - grapefruits, pineapple, cloves, coffee, nutmeg, papya, peppercorns, cocconuts, figs, some sort of gooseberry and chillis. Our guide is Jose Snr or Sanjay Mears as I prefer on the basis that pretty much all he showed us he then ate, inc the outer casing of the nutmeg, a tiny green chilli and a banana flower. One of the best things about growing all of this stuff means that the food travels minimal distance from picking to the table. We have had everything from fresh grapefruit and pineapple juice for mid morning drink, banana curry for lunch, fresh milk straight from the cows, papya snacks, plantaines, honey, banana syrup from the banana flowers. All in all a very eco friendly set up, struggling to offset the eco disaster that is Mumbai!
Having the pool here is a god send, we have all beenn swimming twice today and the water temperature is just right. Still struggle sometimes to remember that it is November...warmest November I've ever experienced, wearing shorts and having to swim to cool down as it is 30 degrees!
This afternoon, Jose Snr showed us the old part of the plantation house, complete with wood fired stoves and a huge piece of granite teamed up with a rolling pin I could hardly lift for crushing herbs and spices to make up pastes for cooking. Realised that all of our delicious food is prepared by this cook down in the dark bowls of the old house in a few rooms blackened by wood smoke. Quite a contrast to the beautiful surroundings of the new plantation house with its carved wood and marbled floors.
01 November 2010 - Meenichil Enclave
What a great find! I'd found this place via the Mahindra Homestay website. The site is pretty much what you get in the UK, home owners register when they have a spare room for people to rent for holiday stays. So, found a plantation house in the middle of Kerala, with 25 acres of rubber and banana trees and a swimming pool. Great place, very relaxed and the owners looking after us very well. Miles away from anywhere, we decided to eat with the family each day. This entails a full Indian cooked breakfast, full spread at lunchtime, tea at 5pm then full evening meal at 9pm! Even if I did have the energy to do anything I am too full!
Spent the morning taking an extensive tour of the Platation, right from a demo of cutting the rubber tree, collecting the rubber, setting the rubber into 1kg moulds, wringing it out, squeezing it flat, drying on the line, drying indoors and finally hanging ready to sell. It is a great set up, the scrap rubber is also sold to make tires etc, the byproduct water is used to make some sort of gas for cooking, all rainwater is havested, even that that falls through the centre of the house into the open court yard, the banana leaves act as a mulch for the rubber trees, the cow slurry is used to make natural fertiliser and the guppy fish in the rain water tanks eat the mosquito lava to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitos.
Apart from the rubber and bananas, they also grow - grapefruits, pineapple, cloves, coffee, nutmeg, papya, peppercorns, cocconuts, figs, some sort of gooseberry and chillis. Our guide is Jose Snr or Sanjay Mears as I prefer on the basis that pretty much all he showed us he then ate, inc the outer casing of the nutmeg, a tiny green chilli and a banana flower. One of the best things about growing all of this stuff means that the food travels minimal distance from picking to the table. We have had everything from fresh grapefruit and pineapple juice for mid morning drink, banana curry for lunch, fresh milk straight from the cows, papya snacks, plantaines, honey, banana syrup from the banana flowers. All in all a very eco friendly set up, struggling to offset the eco disaster that is Mumbai!
Having the pool here is a god send, we have all beenn swimming twice today and the water temperature is just right. Still struggle sometimes to remember that it is November...warmest November I've ever experienced, wearing shorts and having to swim to cool down as it is 30 degrees!
This afternoon, Jose Snr showed us the old part of the plantation house, complete with wood fired stoves and a huge piece of granite teamed up with a rolling pin I could hardly lift for crushing herbs and spices to make up pastes for cooking. Realised that all of our delicious food is prepared by this cook down in the dark bowls of the old house in a few rooms blackened by wood smoke. Quite a contrast to the beautiful surroundings of the new plantation house with its carved wood and marbled floors.
Spent the morning taking an extensive tour of the Platation, right from a demo of cutting the rubber tree, collecting the rubber, setting the rubber into 1kg moulds, wringing it out, squeezing it flat, drying on the line, drying indoors and finally hanging ready to sell. It is a great set up, the scrap rubber is also sold to make tires etc, the byproduct water is used to make some sort of gas for cooking, all rainwater is havested, even that that falls through the centre of the house into the open court yard, the banana leaves act as a mulch for the rubber trees, the cow slurry is used to make natural fertiliser and the guppy fish in the rain water tanks eat the mosquito lava to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitos.
Apart from the rubber and bananas, they also grow - grapefruits, pineapple, cloves, coffee, nutmeg, papya, peppercorns, cocconuts, figs, some sort of gooseberry and chillis. Our guide is Jose Snr or Sanjay Mears as I prefer on the basis that pretty much all he showed us he then ate, inc the outer casing of the nutmeg, a tiny green chilli and a banana flower. One of the best things about growing all of this stuff means that the food travels minimal distance from picking to the table. We have had everything from fresh grapefruit and pineapple juice for mid morning drink, banana curry for lunch, fresh milk straight from the cows, papya snacks, plantaines, honey, banana syrup from the banana flowers. All in all a very eco friendly set up, struggling to offset the eco disaster that is Mumbai!
Having the pool here is a god send, we have all beenn swimming twice today and the water temperature is just right. Still struggle sometimes to remember that it is November...warmest November I've ever experienced, wearing shorts and having to swim to cool down as it is 30 degrees!
This afternoon, Jose Snr showed us the old part of the plantation house, complete with wood fired stoves and a huge piece of granite teamed up with a rolling pin I could hardly lift for crushing herbs and spices to make up pastes for cooking. Realised that all of our delicious food is prepared by this cook down in the dark bowls of the old house in a few rooms blackened by wood smoke. Quite a contrast to the beautiful surroundings of the new plantation house with its carved wood and marbled floors.
01 November 2010 - Meenichil Enclave
What a great find! I'd found this place via the Mahindra Homestay website. The site is pretty much what you get in the UK, home owners register when they have a spare room for people to rent for holiday stays. So, found a plantation house in the middle of Kerala, with 25 acres of rubber and banana trees and a swimming pool. Great place, very relaxed and the owners looking after us very well. Miles away from anywhere, we decided to eat with the family each day. This entails a full Indian cooked breakfast, full spread at lunchtime, tea at 5pm then full evening meal at 9pm! Even if I did have the energy to do anything I am too full!
Spent the morning taking an extensive tour of the Platation, right from a demo of cutting the rubber tree, collecting the rubber, setting the rubber into 1kg moulds, wringing it out, squeezing it flat, drying on the line, drying indoors and finally hanging ready to sell. It is a great set up, the scrap rubber is also sold to make tires etc, the byproduct water is used to make some sort of gas for cooking, all rainwater is havested, even that that falls through the centre of the house into the open court yard, the banana leaves act as a mulch for the rubber trees, the cow slurry is used to make natural fertiliser and the guppy fish in the rain water tanks eat the mosquito lava to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitos.
Apart from the rubber and bananas, they also grow - grapefruits, pineapple, cloves, coffee, nutmeg, papya, peppercorns, cocconuts, figs, some sort of gooseberry and chillis. Our guide is Jose Snr or Sanjay Mears as I prefer on the basis that pretty much all he showed us he then ate, inc the outer casing of the nutmeg, a tiny green chilli and a banana flower. One of the best things about growing all of this stuff means that the food travels minimal distance from picking to the table. We have had everything from fresh grapefruit and pineapple juice for mid morning drink, banana curry for lunch, fresh milk straight from the cows, papya snacks, plantaines, honey, banana syrup from the banana flowers. All in all a very eco friendly set up, struggling to offset the eco disaster that is Mumbai!
Having the pool here is a god send, we have all beenn swimming twice today and the water temperature is just right. Still struggle sometimes to remember that it is November...warmest November I've ever experienced, wearing shorts and having to swim to cool down as it is 30 degrees!
This afternoon, Jose Snr showed us the old part of the plantation house, complete with wood fired stoves and a huge piece of granite teamed up with a rolling pin I could hardly lift for crushing herbs and spices to make up pastes for cooking. Realised that all of our delicious food is prepared by this cook down in the dark bowls of the old house in a few rooms blackened by wood smoke. Quite a contrast to the beautiful surroundings of the new plantation house with its carved wood and marbled floors.
Spent the morning taking an extensive tour of the Platation, right from a demo of cutting the rubber tree, collecting the rubber, setting the rubber into 1kg moulds, wringing it out, squeezing it flat, drying on the line, drying indoors and finally hanging ready to sell. It is a great set up, the scrap rubber is also sold to make tires etc, the byproduct water is used to make some sort of gas for cooking, all rainwater is havested, even that that falls through the centre of the house into the open court yard, the banana leaves act as a mulch for the rubber trees, the cow slurry is used to make natural fertiliser and the guppy fish in the rain water tanks eat the mosquito lava to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitos.
Apart from the rubber and bananas, they also grow - grapefruits, pineapple, cloves, coffee, nutmeg, papya, peppercorns, cocconuts, figs, some sort of gooseberry and chillis. Our guide is Jose Snr or Sanjay Mears as I prefer on the basis that pretty much all he showed us he then ate, inc the outer casing of the nutmeg, a tiny green chilli and a banana flower. One of the best things about growing all of this stuff means that the food travels minimal distance from picking to the table. We have had everything from fresh grapefruit and pineapple juice for mid morning drink, banana curry for lunch, fresh milk straight from the cows, papya snacks, plantaines, honey, banana syrup from the banana flowers. All in all a very eco friendly set up, struggling to offset the eco disaster that is Mumbai!
Having the pool here is a god send, we have all beenn swimming twice today and the water temperature is just right. Still struggle sometimes to remember that it is November...warmest November I've ever experienced, wearing shorts and having to swim to cool down as it is 30 degrees!
This afternoon, Jose Snr showed us the old part of the plantation house, complete with wood fired stoves and a huge piece of granite teamed up with a rolling pin I could hardly lift for crushing herbs and spices to make up pastes for cooking. Realised that all of our delicious food is prepared by this cook down in the dark bowls of the old house in a few rooms blackened by wood smoke. Quite a contrast to the beautiful surroundings of the new plantation house with its carved wood and marbled floors.
Sunday, 31 October 2010
31st October 2010 - Kerala
Interesting approach into Kerala airport, you feel like you are on the final approach around 800 feet and then the plane banked steeply to the right before dropping into land! My fellow passenger's confidence not helped by Darcy shouting "we're going down!" interspersed with "don't like Gandi!"
First impressions of Kerala are good, very lush and verdant, much more laid back atmosphere than Mumbai. Two other big differences, the buses don't have windows and the men appear to wear Longyi, like a skirt that reaches the ankles and then can be tucked up to form what actually looks like a big nappy.
First impressions of Kerala are good, very lush and verdant, much more laid back atmosphere than Mumbai. Two other big differences, the buses don't have windows and the men appear to wear Longyi, like a skirt that reaches the ankles and then can be tucked up to form what actually looks like a big nappy.
Saturday, 30 October 2010
30 October 2010 - Indian Train Virgin
Not another Branson tie up but what I was this morning before purchasing my first Western railways single second class train ticket from Malad to Andheri. Took the trip with Max and Dad all for the very reasonable Rs 12, that's about 18p for all three of us! Queuing up for the ticket I kept getting tapped on the arm by a small boy, maybe 4 years old, holding what looked like a 6 month old baby. Hard to ignore and once I had some change for the first time I gave a few Rupees. I've been told not too as there are so many organised gangs that use small kids to extract money, but s
till such a small amount and so hard to just keep ignoring as if they don't exist. So back to the train ride, very long train turns up and 
we all pile on board and make our way across the carridge to the large open doors on the other side. Train rolls out of the station and we are cooled by the breeze as we zoom along, great fun, the first of many I hope. Having arrived at Andheri station, emerged into an unfamiliar looking place. I'd imagined that I would recognise something. Headed toward the main road and hailed a TukTuk. The first few refused to take us but eventually we found one happy to make the journey. 40 minutes later and Rs160 later we arrived back in Hiranandani, shaken and stirred!
Afternoon topped off with a swim at the council pool with Mum and Dad, whilst Susie put up some fairy lights and Diwali lanterns in the Flat.
till such a small amount and so hard to just keep ignoring as if they don't exist. So back to the train ride, very long train turns up and 
we all pile on board and make our way across the carridge to the large open doors on the other side. Train rolls out of the station and we are cooled by the breeze as we zoom along, great fun, the first of many I hope. Having arrived at Andheri station, emerged into an unfamiliar looking place. I'd imagined that I would recognise something. Headed toward the main road and hailed a TukTuk. The first few refused to take us but eventually we found one happy to make the journey. 40 minutes later and Rs160 later we arrived back in Hiranandani, shaken and stirred!Afternoon topped off with a swim at the council pool with Mum and Dad, whilst Susie put up some fairy lights and Diwali lanterns in the Flat.
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
28th October 2010 - First Diwali Party
Darcy has a Diwali party today at school. She went in dressed in her Sari that Cecelia bought for her. So cute, although she was not impressed until she saw her other friends dressed in similar clothes. If we thought that Darcy attracted attention normally dressing her up in Indian clothes and the attention doubled! There was a crowd gathered outside the lobby of our apartment block, word spread fast.
Mum and Dad are over now which is lovely and the kids are enjoying them being here. Dad is an old hand having been over here once already and Mum seems to be coping ok too which is a relief.
Weird sight of the day? Motorbike went past and the pillon was holding onto a complete aircon heat exchanger, quite a feat!
Weird story? Farmer blows his own hand off with a country bomb he'd made to throw at an elephant......
27th October 2010- Cheap labour
I know labour is cheap here but seriously guys, isn't this taking the piss? The Grass area at the front of Logitech Park is approx 800 square metres and 4 blokes are cutting the grass using handshears! So far they have been at it for 2 days and look to be about half way through it!
Speaking to Sharan (my boss) this morning and she'd seen a dead body just before the entrance to a petrol station in the road, covered by a white cloth (but for the feet sticking out) and guarded over by a Policeman
whose job was to prevent the traffic from driving over the body. No exclusion area, no closure of a line of traffic nor the petrol station entrance, just life carrying on as normal and only the dead body missing a beat. Maybe someone will morn the loss somewhere, somewhen but in the constant race no one blinked - deep.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
26th October 2010 - Mehandi fun
Susie had a go at using the Mehandi dye with me being the guinea pig, mainly to check that it was safe to apply! It is made of the leaves of the Mehandi tree ground up and mixed with water. Otherwise known as Hena, which if I understand correctly is more a product name. So I am the proud owner of a orange/brown coloured mango pattern on my arm and a single ring around the little finger of my right hand. According to Aftab it is acceptable for men to have the ring around their finger whereas the women paint/dye both arms,feet and legs! Slight imbalance between the sexes, however I proudly show off my little finger adornment at work and was rewarded with laughter from the women who told me that it wasn't for men to wear - gonna kick Aftab's arse!
Monday, 25 October 2010
25th October 2010 - Bus driver's handshake
The old buses here don't have the luxury of an electric horn, instead they have an old fashioned brass horn with a rubber ball on the end. So they steer with their left hand whilst constantly honking the horn with their right. Sounds like a demented seal. Consequently I image that a bus drivers right forearm muscles are highly developed and if you were to shake hands with one the likelihood is that they'd probably crush your hand!
I've noticed a similar sort of overly work hands with TukTuk drivers on their left hand which operates the clutch, the leaver is always set far away from the handlebar so the hand strenght required is impressive. However, I understand that left hand is reserved for wiping duties so no likelihood of shaking hands with a muscle bound TukTuk driver.
I've noticed a similar sort of overly work hands with TukTuk drivers on their left hand which operates the clutch, the leaver is always set far away from the handlebar so the hand strenght required is impressive. However, I understand that left hand is reserved for wiping duties so no likelihood of shaking hands with a muscle bound TukTuk driver.
Saturday, 23 October 2010
24th October 2010 - Obama
Headline story - Obama's coming to India landing in Mumbai on the 5th November.....which is Diwali. I maybe new to all this Indian celebration stuff but even I know that Diwali is kind of a big thing here, parties all night, firecrackers in the street til all hours, police stretched to the limit (of what I don't know, not seen one yet) and the President is flying into all of this - who the hell is planning his travel? Most of the hotels, inc the Taj, are booked solid by Obama and his massive possie (the Taj has 604 rooms on its own). One of the many dilemas is whether Obama will fly from the International airport by helicopter to a Naval base in the South of Mumbai and them a short hop to the Taj or will he and his 50 vehicle convoy drive down to South Mumbai. Hummm, tough one, difficult to call. Will the most powerman in the World/biggest terror target chose to stay on the tarmac, zoom down to the 6 star Taj in a matter of minutes or leave the airport driving, even if they clear the roads completely unless he brings a Hummmer in Airforce One his Caddy Limo is going to have a rough ride indeed, it will also take him around 45 minutes and he will have to take in the breath taking smells and sights on his trip. The BMC are in a flat spin, trying to repair the roads on his potential journey so that they are smooth(er). Okay, so this is wierd one two counts - why don't the BMC know what's going on (!) And secondly it perfectly advertises the route, it will be the only smooth(ish)bit of road in Mumbai!
Friday, 22 October 2010
23rd October 2010 - World's local bank
My arse! 20 minutes to get a print out of my account, thank god there were no other customers in the branch otherwise I'd have turned grey waiting.
And breathe....
One thing I still haven't got used too being out here is seeing the number of people riding one motorbike. Dad driving, baby in a front carrier on his chest, son laying prone on the tank holding the wing mirrors, child sat behind dad and not forgetting Mum sitting side saddle on the back leaning forward to hold Dad's ill fitting crash helmet on his head. In a straight line at walking pace seems like a laugh, at speed on the expressway, weaving through traffic, with the other crazy drivers just inches away ready to knock you off/run you over it makes me sweat!
And breathe....
One thing I still haven't got used too being out here is seeing the number of people riding one motorbike. Dad driving, baby in a front carrier on his chest, son laying prone on the tank holding the wing mirrors, child sat behind dad and not forgetting Mum sitting side saddle on the back leaning forward to hold Dad's ill fitting crash helmet on his head. In a straight line at walking pace seems like a laugh, at speed on the expressway, weaving through traffic, with the other crazy drivers just inches away ready to knock you off/run you over it makes me sweat!
Thursday, 21 October 2010
22nd October 2010 - Lucky bones
Darcy went to school this morning dressed as a scary Barbie as her nursery are celebrating Halloween. Poor Dar thought she was just going as Barbie albeit dressed in Max's skull and crossbones T shirt (Lucky bones). Susie made her face up with pink cheeks, black lips with black mouth stiches, black circles round her eyes, a scar on her forehead and her hair in bunches!
Dar went along with this very happily....until we got in the lift and she saw her reflection in the polished stainless steel! Went to school with Max so I could pay the school fees, Dar had so much cheek pinching - had to re apply her pink cheeks before she went into Nursery. Nursery teachers thought she had come as a pretty zombie - slightly weird as she is the one who convinced Darcy that she looked like Barbie.
Max is having Libby over at ours tonight for a sleep over. Neither of them are enjoying school or India at present so hope to make it a fun evening for them both, I know they find India tough think one year might be enough for them.
Sitting at Saki Naka Junction and just watched a Hawk take down a pigeon, amazing ariel display, nature just getting on with life surrounded by all the noise and chaos. Must have upset the Indian's as they like pigeons here!
Max is having Libby over at ours tonight for a sleep over. Neither of them are enjoying school or India at present so hope to make it a fun evening for them both, I know they find India tough think one year might be enough for them.
Sitting at Saki Naka Junction and just watched a Hawk take down a pigeon, amazing ariel display, nature just getting on with life surrounded by all the noise and chaos. Must have upset the Indian's as they like pigeons here!
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
20the October 2010 - Tooling
India is a blast from the past in many ways, one thing I've been noticing is the number of old vehicle designs there are about still being used to produce new vehicles. A couple of notables, a brand new Renault Traffic panel van and a first generation Mercedes Sprinter, now made by a company called Force with a new nose mated to the original backend. Royal Enfield occupies a different space as they have old and new models.
Still a large number of vehicles wearing their flower garlands from the weekend. Vehicles had their own blessing at the end of the Dandiya festival. The garland on our car bit the dust early on Sunday morning as it started to rain and Aftab remebered he'd tied the flowers to the windscreen wipers a fraction of a second too late!
Still a large number of vehicles wearing their flower garlands from the weekend. Vehicles had their own blessing at the end of the Dandiya festival. The garland on our car bit the dust early on Sunday morning as it started to rain and Aftab remebered he'd tied the flowers to the windscreen wipers a fraction of a second too late!
Monday, 18 October 2010
19th October 2010 - Sony Service Centre
Our new Sony Vaio laptop, purchased in the UK before we left for India has broken down. I've found out that there is a Sony Service Centre near where I work so I'm going to pop down there today to check it out. I can't picture where it is, where I've been told to go is all just shacks and tiny shops ramed together so it will be interesting to have a drive by before I commit to leaving our machine to its fate. Couldn't find the Sony centre, drove all the way down to the end of the road where it then cuts across the end of the airport runway. To be honnest, having made it down through all the traffic, slums, industrial units selling second had heavy engineering stuff, piles of rubbish and mangy dogs, even if I had found a beacon of light with a Sony sign above it I was pretty unlikely to want to leave it there!
Having made it to work, was treated at 11am to an hour of the greatest hit of Bryan Adams (Capita India play music everyday to get the ops teams fired up for a day on the phones)
Left work and out into torrential rain and a pretty impressive sheet lightening display - feels like Monsoon all over again!
Having made it to work, was treated at 11am to an hour of the greatest hit of Bryan Adams (Capita India play music everyday to get the ops teams fired up for a day on the phones)
Left work and out into torrential rain and a pretty impressive sheet lightening display - feels like Monsoon all over again!
19th October 2010 - Sony Service Centre
Our new Sony Vaio laptop, purchased in the UK before we left for India has broken down. I've found out that there is a Sony Service Centre near where I work so I'm going to pop down there today to check it out. I can't picture where it is, where I've been told to go is all just shacks and tiny shops ramed together so it will be interesting to have a drive by before I commit to leaving our machine to its fate.
18th October 2010 - Goats of death
I've got loads to talk about today! Starting with my weird news story. Lead news story in todays paper, people were trampled at a festival at the weekend when fight broke out as to whose goat to sacrifice first. In the pushing and shoving that ensued, 10 people were crushed to death - doesn't say anything about whether the goats made it or not. Would be bloody ironic if on the way to kill the goat the faithful get killed and the goat survives!
Saw a pimped Tuk Tuk this morning, Bodica style bladed front wheel (which must induce massive vibration as it is only on one side!) And a 10 foot long whippy ariel at the back. The ariel made me laugh as the roads are so bumpy that it whipped so violently and was mounted so low down that pedestrians in the road had to duck - LOL!
As I walked into work this morning I saw a wonderful Rangoli on the floor of the entrance hall. It was about 30 x 15 feet amazing coloured pattern created from powder sprinkled on the floor. All looked amazing until one of the flower pots protecting it had been moved spoiling the edge, much fussing from Facilities not quite sure how to sort it out.
Rode to the top of the escalator and noticed a few tables and chairs and a few simple screens which had been errected. I then noticed the sign this was a blood transfusion set up the worrying thing was that it had been organised by the 11th graders from the Ecole Mondial school - felt like they were going to practice on you, not tempted.
Saw a pimped Tuk Tuk this morning, Bodica style bladed front wheel (which must induce massive vibration as it is only on one side!) And a 10 foot long whippy ariel at the back. The ariel made me laugh as the roads are so bumpy that it whipped so violently and was mounted so low down that pedestrians in the road had to duck - LOL!
As I walked into work this morning I saw a wonderful Rangoli on the floor of the entrance hall. It was about 30 x 15 feet amazing coloured pattern created from powder sprinkled on the floor. All looked amazing until one of the flower pots protecting it had been moved spoiling the edge, much fussing from Facilities not quite sure how to sort it out.
Rode to the top of the escalator and noticed a few tables and chairs and a few simple screens which had been errected. I then noticed the sign this was a blood transfusion set up the worrying thing was that it had been organised by the 11th graders from the Ecole Mondial school - felt like they were going to practice on you, not tempted.
Sunday, 17 October 2010
12 - 13th October 2010 - 4 Star
One thing that has spoilt us being in India is the quality of the hotels. Naturally you still get those that are made of bamboo and covered in leaves but I'm talking the 4 star plus places. Almost all that I've stayed at so far are recently built, on a massive scale and contain so much marble and granite that I'm surprised the Earth doesn't change angle when it is all amassed in one place. The surroundings are impressive the service first class. Cut to my current stay in the UK (workshops in Cheltenham Maz) and my stay in a 4 star hotel outside Cheltenham which is very disappointing. A good example of the need to look around the World for inspiration on how to run a good hotel, I wonder what other foreign visitors make of it?
17th October 2010 - Lands End
Lunch at the Taj Hotel in Bandra, 5 star luxury right on the coast, just along from Shar Rhoc Khan's house, you know the King of Bollywood movies. Food was tremendous, more wine than I could shake a stick at, all in all a great afternoon, with our friends in India and chocolate birthday cake to end. Happy days.
The sun has finally come out after a murky start, the sun bouncing off the sea is beautiful. An old man at the Taj heard that it was Sharan and my birthday celebration and wanted to wish us a happy day, it was his son's birthday and he was in NZ. Very sweethe gave Sharan a flower from his table - Indian pick up technique!
The sun has finally come out after a murky start, the sun bouncing off the sea is beautiful. An old man at the Taj heard that it was Sharan and my birthday celebration and wanted to wish us a happy day, it was his son's birthday and he was in NZ. Very sweethe gave Sharan a flower from his table - Indian pick up technique!
Friday, 15 October 2010
16th October 2010 - Priceless
Given the unstable nature of many of the buildings here in Mumbai, I'm not sure I'll be staying anytime soon in the 'Hotel Caves Inn'.....I kid you not!
Went to Bandra today, home of the Bollywood stars. The layout reminds me of areas of London, and the light is different to other areas of Mumbai. First stop was a pavement snack bar for our first taste of 'street food'. Verdict? Lovely, Pani Puri and Dahi Batati Puri and Chat. Felt fine with no ill effects so having found a 'tame' outlet we'll definately be back! Wandered down the street, saw loads of people sitting on the pavementds making up flower garlands for the end of the Dandia festival. Big piles of bright orange flowerheads being strung together in contrast to the mess and dirt. Took our life in our hands crossing the road to get to the treasure trove called 'Apaaral', they sell designer clothes at low cost, try Tommy Hilfiger shirt for 6 quid! Quick trip to Fabindia for some safe craft shoping and then onto Candies for late lunch. Candies is a well known eatery ground floor is indoor seating, kitchens and the fast food style order desks, food is cheap and plentiful, served on paper plates which you carry on trays up to the 7-8 seating areas at various levels ending up on a full roof garden maybe 5 levels up. The owner has a Michel Jackson fixation so everynow and again you turn a corner and there is a huge mosaic of the King of Pop.
In the evening Paul and I wnet down to the Dandia celebrations. The Dandia is a festival from Bengal, the temporary temple built in Powai, tooka team of 20 builders 45 days to build. Started off as a bamboo frame and was then clad in carved wood and foam carvings which are then painted to make it all look like stone, amazing structure that you can walk inside. Approx 60 feet high, 100 feet wide, single story monster complete with full frieze of the goddess, holding a green faced man on a lead both standing ona lion who was killing a cow - nice!
Went to Bandra today, home of the Bollywood stars. The layout reminds me of areas of London, and the light is different to other areas of Mumbai. First stop was a pavement snack bar for our first taste of 'street food'. Verdict? Lovely, Pani Puri and Dahi Batati Puri and Chat. Felt fine with no ill effects so having found a 'tame' outlet we'll definately be back! Wandered down the street, saw loads of people sitting on the pavementds making up flower garlands for the end of the Dandia festival. Big piles of bright orange flowerheads being strung together in contrast to the mess and dirt. Took our life in our hands crossing the road to get to the treasure trove called 'Apaaral', they sell designer clothes at low cost, try Tommy Hilfiger shirt for 6 quid! Quick trip to Fabindia for some safe craft shoping and then onto Candies for late lunch. Candies is a well known eatery ground floor is indoor seating, kitchens and the fast food style order desks, food is cheap and plentiful, served on paper plates which you carry on trays up to the 7-8 seating areas at various levels ending up on a full roof garden maybe 5 levels up. The owner has a Michel Jackson fixation so everynow and again you turn a corner and there is a huge mosaic of the King of Pop.
In the evening Paul and I wnet down to the Dandia celebrations. The Dandia is a festival from Bengal, the temporary temple built in Powai, tooka team of 20 builders 45 days to build. Started off as a bamboo frame and was then clad in carved wood and foam carvings which are then painted to make it all look like stone, amazing structure that you can walk inside. Approx 60 feet high, 100 feet wide, single story monster complete with full frieze of the goddess, holding a green faced man on a lead both standing ona lion who was killing a cow - nice!
16th October 2010 - Priceless
Given the unstable nature of many of the buildings here in Mumbai, I'm not sure I'll be staying anytime soon in the 'Hotel Caves In'.....I kid you not!
15th October 2010 - Paaaaaarty!
Flew back from the UK last night arrived unrefreshed at lunchtime today. I must get some sleeping tabs next time as not sleeping on a long haul flight is a real pain! Worked from home for the rest of the afternoon which was nice to be around the kids as I hadn't seen them all week.
In the evening we went to the Capita India Las Vegas style party at the 5* Holiday Inn. Couple of major differences between a UK party and an Indian party. Party start time was 7pm, we were 15 minutes late but everyone else was there on time and already dancing - normally takes 2 hours and plenty of drink to get any participation in the UK! Majority of our Indian colleagues were drinking, rather a lot of spirits, carefully hidden in fruit juice! The measures of vodka being dished out were huge, top up with ice and fanta and you look like your non drinking friends.....until you collapse in a drink induced coma. Out of 250 only 3 had to be loaded into wheel chairs and removed from the hotel!
In the evening we went to the Capita India Las Vegas style party at the 5* Holiday Inn. Couple of major differences between a UK party and an Indian party. Party start time was 7pm, we were 15 minutes late but everyone else was there on time and already dancing - normally takes 2 hours and plenty of drink to get any participation in the UK! Majority of our Indian colleagues were drinking, rather a lot of spirits, carefully hidden in fruit juice! The measures of vodka being dished out were huge, top up with ice and fanta and you look like your non drinking friends.....until you collapse in a drink induced coma. Out of 250 only 3 had to be loaded into wheel chairs and removed from the hotel!
15th October 2010 - Paaaaaarty!
Flew back from the UK last night arrived unrefreshed at lunchtime today. I must get some sleeping tabs next time as not sleeping on a long haul flight is a real pain! Worked from home for the rest of the afternoon which was nice to be around the kids as I hadn't seen them all week.
In the evening we went to the Capita India Las Vegas style party at the 5* Holiday Inn. Couple of major differences between a UK party and an Indian party. Party start time was 7pm, we were 15 minutes late but everyone else was there on time and already dancing - normally takes 2 hours and plenty of drink to get any participation in the UK! Majority of our Indian colleagues were drinking, rather a lot of spirits, carefully hidden in fruit juice! The measures of vodka being dished out were huge, top up with ice and fanta and you look like your non drinking friends.....until you collapse in a drink induced coma. Out of 250 only 3 had to be loaded into wheel chairs and removed from the hotel!
In the evening we went to the Capita India Las Vegas style party at the 5* Holiday Inn. Couple of major differences between a UK party and an Indian party. Party start time was 7pm, we were 15 minutes late but everyone else was there on time and already dancing - normally takes 2 hours and plenty of drink to get any participation in the UK! Majority of our Indian colleagues were drinking, rather a lot of spirits, carefully hidden in fruit juice! The measures of vodka being dished out were huge, top up with ice and fanta and you look like your non drinking friends.....until you collapse in a drink induced coma. Out of 250 only 3 had to be loaded into wheel chairs and removed from the hotel!
Thursday, 14 October 2010
11 October 2010 - Long haul
Flying sucks. Still, better than finding yourself suddenly not flying (one of my favourite Bob Monkhouse quotes). Bumpy flight, couldn't sleep just wanted to get it over with. Stacked above London, we ended up flyingh round in circles for half an hour. Eventually landed and picked up my hire car, felt weird to get into the drivers seat and hold the steering wheel for the first time in 4 months.
Here in the UK for a 3 day workshop, will be useful and give me the chance to see my folks and a few friends - can't wait.
Here in the UK for a 3 day workshop, will be useful and give me the chance to see my folks and a few friends - can't wait.
Sunday, 10 October 2010
10/10/10 - Once in a lifetime
Spent a great morning in Nashik old town, went down to the main river which is lined by various Hindu temples. The river itself is diverted into 2 concrete channels one for washing/immersion and one for washing clothes. Amazes me that the Indian clothes last as long as they do with all the scrubbing with stones on concrete and flogging to try and get some of the water out.
Went round the very colourful market full of spices, fruit and veg and religious stuff. Turning a corner we were confronted by a rather large elephant, with a rider onto. Neat little party trick - you give the elephant a Rupee which it takes with its trunk and passes to the rider. Amazing to watch this huge beast take a tiny coin in its trunk. Also saw a couple of camels with saddles giving kids a ride - think donkey rides on the beach in the UK and you have here the Indian equivalent!
More eventful drive back on the National Highway, plenty more nutters out today, Aftab doing a great job whilst Susie and I snoozed in the back.
Went round the very colourful market full of spices, fruit and veg and religious stuff. Turning a corner we were confronted by a rather large elephant, with a rider onto. Neat little party trick - you give the elephant a Rupee which it takes with its trunk and passes to the rider. Amazing to watch this huge beast take a tiny coin in its trunk. Also saw a couple of camels with saddles giving kids a ride - think donkey rides on the beach in the UK and you have here the Indian equivalent!
More eventful drive back on the National Highway, plenty more nutters out today, Aftab doing a great job whilst Susie and I snoozed in the back.
Friday, 8 October 2010
9th October 2010 - Nashik
Road trip to Nashik, off to visit the Sula Winery. Drive out of Mumbai along the National Highway No 3 for approx 180 Kms so around 3-4 hours drive. We got out of Mumbai well and enjoyed travelling at upto 50 mph! The dual carridgeway soon ran out as there were sporadic but very lenghty roadworks ongoing. Not your normal resurfacing works but complete reengineering. To get round the massive missing road sections they employ a contraflow system. This consists of simply creating a gap in the concrete barrier and allowing the traffice from the affected carridgeway to swap straight into the oncoming 2 lanes of traffic and then fight for space! Apart for the Ox drawn cart, every other type of motor vehicle is present on the National Highway, mainly very slow moving so Aftab is having to stay alert. Lots of breakdowns on the road with no real attempt to pull over somewhere safe so you end up with big trucks in the outside lane, normal branch of a tree sticking out of the back to show it is stationary - not quite sure what happens at night as the tree branch doesn't show up too well in the dark! Most impressive breakdown so far is a truck in the outside lane with its entire rear axle missing!
Had a tour of the vinyards and an interesting talk on how they make the different wines. One interesting fact, white wine can be made using both white and red grapes, its all about how long you leave the skins in with the juice.
Following the tour we then had wine tasting, followed by even more wine tasting and ending up with more wine tasting, needless to say an enjoyable time was had by all and I don't remember the drive back to the hotel! What I do remember once back at the hotel were the armed guards who were now stationed at the front door and on the landings, seems as VIP was staying.
Had a tour of the vinyards and an interesting talk on how they make the different wines. One interesting fact, white wine can be made using both white and red grapes, its all about how long you leave the skins in with the juice.
Following the tour we then had wine tasting, followed by even more wine tasting and ending up with more wine tasting, needless to say an enjoyable time was had by all and I don't remember the drive back to the hotel! What I do remember once back at the hotel were the armed guards who were now stationed at the front door and on the landings, seems as VIP was staying.
8th October 2010 - Officially downhill
40 today! At the start of the year if you had said 'forget your 40th year celebrations, you'll be in India' I wouldn't have believed you and yet here I am, an India resident, family with me and a baby on the way!
Never say never!
Pretty ordinary day, felt alright about being 40 but kept it pretty quiet and noone really knew which suited me! At the end of the day Susie, Max, Darcy and Ethne came into meet me and brought in a chocolate cake and a bunch of balloons which was a great end to the day.
In the evening, Susie and I went to an Indian resturant and had a good meal. On the way back home I drew some cash from the ATM and was wished Happy Birthday by the ATM!
Never say never!
Pretty ordinary day, felt alright about being 40 but kept it pretty quiet and noone really knew which suited me! At the end of the day Susie, Max, Darcy and Ethne came into meet me and brought in a chocolate cake and a bunch of balloons which was a great end to the day.
In the evening, Susie and I went to an Indian resturant and had a good meal. On the way back home I drew some cash from the ATM and was wished Happy Birthday by the ATM!
8th October 2010 - Officially downhill
40 today! At the start of the year if you had said 'forget your 40th year celebrations, you'll be in India' I wouldn't have believed you and yet here I am, an India resident, family with me and a baby on the way!
Never say never!
Pretty ordinary day, felt alright about being 40 but kept it pretty quiet and noone really knew which suited me! At the end of the day Susie, Max, Darcy and Ethne came into meet me and brought in a chocolate cake and a bunch of balloons which was a great end to the day.
In the evening, Susie and I went to an Indian resturant and had a good meal. On the way back home I drew some cash from the ATM and was wished Happy Birthday by the ATM!
Never say never!
Pretty ordinary day, felt alright about being 40 but kept it pretty quiet and noone really knew which suited me! At the end of the day Susie, Max, Darcy and Ethne came into meet me and brought in a chocolate cake and a bunch of balloons which was a great end to the day.
In the evening, Susie and I went to an Indian resturant and had a good meal. On the way back home I drew some cash from the ATM and was wished Happy Birthday by the ATM!
8th October 2010 - Officially downhill
40 today! At the start of the year if you had said 'forget your 40th year celebrations, you'll be in India' I wouldn't have believed you and yet here I am, an India resident, family with me and a baby on the way!
Never say never!
Pretty ordinary day, felt alright about being 40 but kept it pretty quiet and noone really knew which suited me! At the end of the day Susie, Max, Darcy and Ethne came into meet me and brought in a chocolate cake and a bunch of balloons which was a great end to the day.
In the evening, Susie and I went to an Indian resturant and had a good meal. On the way back home I drew some cash from the ATM and was wished Happy Birthday by the ATM!
Never say never!
Pretty ordinary day, felt alright about being 40 but kept it pretty quiet and noone really knew which suited me! At the end of the day Susie, Max, Darcy and Ethne came into meet me and brought in a chocolate cake and a bunch of balloons which was a great end to the day.
In the evening, Susie and I went to an Indian resturant and had a good meal. On the way back home I drew some cash from the ATM and was wished Happy Birthday by the ATM!
8th October 2010 - Officially downhill
40 today! At the start of the year if you had said 'forget your 40th year celebrations, you'll be in India' I wouldn't have believed you and yet here I am, an India resident, family with me and a baby on the way!
Never say never!
Pretty ordinary day, felt alright about being 40 but kept it pretty quiet and noone really knew which suited me! At the end of the day Susie, Max, Darcy and Ethne came into meet me and brought in a chocolate cake and a bunch of balloons which was a great end to the day.
In the evening, Susie and I went to an Indian resturant and had a good meal. On the way back home I drew some cash from the ATM and was wished Happy Birthday by the ATM!
Never say never!
Pretty ordinary day, felt alright about being 40 but kept it pretty quiet and noone really knew which suited me! At the end of the day Susie, Max, Darcy and Ethne came into meet me and brought in a chocolate cake and a bunch of balloons which was a great end to the day.
In the evening, Susie and I went to an Indian resturant and had a good meal. On the way back home I drew some cash from the ATM and was wished Happy Birthday by the ATM!
8th October 2010 - Officially downhill
40 today! At the start of the year if you had said 'forget your 40th year celebrations, you'll be in India' I wouldn't have believed you and yet here I am, an India resident, family with me and a baby on the way!
Never say never!
Pretty ordinary day, felt alright about being 40 but kept it pretty quiet and noone really knew which suited me! At the end of the day Susie, Max, Darcy and Ethne came into meet me and brought in a chocolate cake and a bunch of balloons which was a great end to the day.
In the evening, Susie and I went to an Indian resturant and had a good meal. On the way back home I drew some cash from the ATM and was wished Happy Birthday by the ATM!
Never say never!
Pretty ordinary day, felt alright about being 40 but kept it pretty quiet and noone really knew which suited me! At the end of the day Susie, Max, Darcy and Ethne came into meet me and brought in a chocolate cake and a bunch of balloons which was a great end to the day.
In the evening, Susie and I went to an Indian resturant and had a good meal. On the way back home I drew some cash from the ATM and was wished Happy Birthday by the ATM!
Thursday, 7 October 2010
4th - 6th October 2010 - Pune
I went to Pune this week and carried out a number of interviews for new staff members to joint the ODC.
Stayed in a lovely hotel called the Westin on the outskirts of Pune - 5* luxury, such a contrast to the surrounding area but great all the same!
Stayed in a lovely hotel called the Westin on the outskirts of Pune - 5* luxury, such a contrast to the surrounding area but great all the same!
3rd October 2010 - Mar Mar
The kids were very excited this morning as we went off to the airport to pick up Mar Mar for her stay in India. Susie was very excited too and I think it has helped her lift her spirits to have her mum come over.
Once back in Powai we went out for lunch at Sankilp, a Southern Indian resturant. Good food and not too expensive. After a nice spot of lunch we went swimming before coming home for cake!
Once back in Powai we went out for lunch at Sankilp, a Southern Indian resturant. Good food and not too expensive. After a nice spot of lunch we went swimming before coming home for cake!
2nd October 2010 - Candyfloos
As a birthday treat I'd agreed to take Max down to the Haklone centre and pay for him to have a ride on one of their mean looking quad bikes. Susie had dutifully gone down the day before to checkout the set up, age limit, cost etc etc. Green light given, I went down with Max, Paul and Libby - first hurdle was that rather than being no age limit they had to be 16 years old! Never mind, as we were leaving another chap turned up and asked if the kids had riden quads before, Max answered yes and he said ok fine you can have a go - TII! Libby looked a little concerned so I decided that it wasn't fair for Max to have a go and not Libby so we satified ourselves with 4 goes on the rather ropey looking dodgem cars. Actually appart from the single quad bike the rest of the fairground is very sad and tired looking - the rides were well past their best, like a fairground graveyard with the owners wringing out the last drops! Never the less we all had a right laugh on the dodgems, crashing into each other head on, in reverse, driving the wrong way round etc and the owners not in the slightest bit worried.
1st October 2010 - School play
I left work early today to drive down to Bandra West to see Max in his school play. He had been cast in the lead roll of the Pied Piper, the play was the Rocking Piper, but he got cold feet and decided that he didn't want to play the part. Having dropped out he was then convinced to rejoin in a smaller part as one of the towns folk. By the end of the casting he had been recast as the King Rat, which he seemed far more comfortable with. Sadly as the traffic was so bad, Susie and I didn't get to the playhouse in time to see him, although a video has been made so we'll get hold of a copy! Anyway having watched the end of the first play I assumed we would leave before the second play started but Max was not being released, we were duty bound to stay and watch. And I'm glad we did as the evening was great fun, slightly crazy, amusing and ultimately a big glitzy event which we really enjoyed.
30th September 2010 - Max's Birthday
Max was 10 years old today. Can't believe how quickly he has grown up. Such an amazing boy, he takes most things in his stride and just gets on with life. He had a couple of presents and a small handful of cards. He appreciated all he had and wasn't concerned that he only had a small haul - hats off to his attitude.
Max's friend Libby came round for Sheppards Pie and Jelly and Ice cream which was a great birthday tea. A simple day but very enjoyable.
Max's friend Libby came round for Sheppards Pie and Jelly and Ice cream which was a great birthday tea. A simple day but very enjoyable.
Thursday, 30 September 2010
30th September 2010 - Birthday Boy
Max's 10th Birthday today! Time has flown by, it really doesn't seem like yesterday that he was born, I remember the day vividly. A very simple birthday, a few cards and a few small presents, although Max being Max he was happy with his lot and I think he had a good day. Finished off with Sheppards Pie, Jelly and Ice cream and his friend Libby came round to join in. So proud of all he has coped with coming to India and all he has given up to be part of this family experience, he really is a superstar.
Another momentus day for other reasons too - after more than 60 years a land dispute (3 acres!) was settled in the Indian High Court by 3 Judges ( as mentioned in yesterdays blog). The purpose of raising this again is that the judgement effectively will chop the land into 3 pieces to satisify each religous party. Sounds like a political outcome, especially as the CWG are due to kick off this weekend and India could ill afford riots and bloodshed about this, as they did in 1992/3. In the lead up to the verdict there were some funny tweets flying about including one who though that Paul the Octopus should have decided the outcome, another who said that at the end of the day all the middle class care about is that they got a free day off work - sad but true and that they should build a Chinese resturant at the Ayodhya site and call it Kik in the Kok!
Another momentus day for other reasons too - after more than 60 years a land dispute (3 acres!) was settled in the Indian High Court by 3 Judges ( as mentioned in yesterdays blog). The purpose of raising this again is that the judgement effectively will chop the land into 3 pieces to satisify each religous party. Sounds like a political outcome, especially as the CWG are due to kick off this weekend and India could ill afford riots and bloodshed about this, as they did in 1992/3. In the lead up to the verdict there were some funny tweets flying about including one who though that Paul the Octopus should have decided the outcome, another who said that at the end of the day all the middle class care about is that they got a free day off work - sad but true and that they should build a Chinese resturant at the Ayodhya site and call it Kik in the Kok!
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
29th September 2010 - Sights
I was just going to write about the impressive bamboo structure going up in Powai in readiness for the next festival however I've also seen two other note worthy things so I'll add them too.
So the bamboo structure. It started off as something as big as a very large three
story house which has now been clad to resemble a grand stone building. Then over the last few days another longer lower structure has been erected, must be about 300 foot long all made from long bamboo poles bound together with string. This is the same method they use for making scaffolding to reach up 40 floors!
So the bamboo structure. It started off as something as big as a very large three
story house which has now been clad to resemble a grand stone building. Then over the last few days another longer lower structure has been erected, must be about 300 foot long all made from long bamboo poles bound together with string. This is the same method they use for making scaffolding to reach up 40 floors!
On the drive to work we passed a child, approx age 10, hanging onto the tail gate of a truck. Assume he may have missed his bus, looked like fun, horribly dangerous, wonder if his father knew what he was doing.....unless he was driving the truck and this is just a normal day!
Waiting for the Supreme Court to reach a verdict on a land squabble which has been ongoing for 60 years. It is between Hindus and Muslims over whether a mosque or temple should stand on the disputed land. Last time a verdict like this was given there were month long riots which left 2,500 people dead! In readiness for the potential trouble the Best bus company has installed cages to the outside of the drivers windows to protect him. Fine in theory but for 2 things. 1) the cage looks like a chopped up shopping trolley tied on with baler twine to the outside of the bus so not clear what protection it would actually give and 2) the buses move so slowly that any potential attackers could simply untie the 'cage' and then attack the driver!
Waiting for the Supreme Court to reach a verdict on a land squabble which has been ongoing for 60 years. It is between Hindus and Muslims over whether a mosque or temple should stand on the disputed land. Last time a verdict like this was given there were month long riots which left 2,500 people dead! In readiness for the potential trouble the Best bus company has installed cages to the outside of the drivers windows to protect him. Fine in theory but for 2 things. 1) the cage looks like a chopped up shopping trolley tied on with baler twine to the outside of the bus so not clear what protection it would actually give and 2) the buses move so slowly that any potential attackers could simply untie the 'cage' and then attack the driver!
28th September 2010 - Firedril
Something I forgot to write about on Friday was the Firedrill. This had already been postponed as the previous scheduled time the rains had been really bad. This time the sun was out and at 4pm the alarm duely went off. It started pretty lethargically reminisent of the old air raid sirens although once it got going it was penty loud enough and people started to take notice. Once outside we were left in no doubt as to where we were going as the 'mopmen' had been deployed at strategic points along the route to the assembly area, mops in hand, the mopheads covered by a sign that read Capita. Once at the assembly point (rubble strewn, over grown bumpy field) we were then shouted at continually by a member of the facilities team to 'stand in line'....needless to say that this made no difference at all people still milled about chatting to their mates! During this exercise we were dive bombed by a large number of dragonflies, which I'm lead to believe were the biting type! Eventually, we filled our names out on a piece of paper to say we were there - not sure what this was referenced back too but at least it verfied who has managed to get out alive! The only hurdle then was how do you get 600 people who have exited a building from 20 different fire exits back up to the 5th floor using only the lifts - answer is slowly!
Monday, 27 September 2010
27th September 2010 - Rumble in the jungle
Hot and dry this morning for the drive into work, dark, wet and a thunderstorm treat for the journey home. The best thunder and lightening displays I've come across, you get a real sense of the power of nature - when the thunder crashes it feels like the sky is caving in!
Sunday, 26 September 2010
25th - 26th September 2010 - Swimming
A weekend of swimming! The sun has come back out and the temperature has risen again to around 35'C so the big outdoor pool is coming in handy!
On Saturday I took Max, Darcy and Libby and we all had a lovely swim followed by a trip to Hookey Pokey's ice cream shop which is a great place to visit. Reminded me of when my sister and I used to go swimming at Torrington pool on Tuesday evenings and afterwards we would go to a little local sweet shop and get a treat - normally a Topic. If we were really lucky Dad would have finished work and would have come to meet us and we would ride back home in his car at break neck speed leaving my poor Mum to follow on her own in her slower car. Funny how you remember the little things like this and the difference that having Dad arrive from wo
rk made them more memorable. I wonder whether the trip to Hookey Pokeys will stay with Max and he will remember this in years to come. As for Darcy - not sure she will remember this whole trip, at least we have the pictures to remind her!
On Sunday, in addition to the above we were also joined by Paul and Sally, Ellie, Teri and Susie which made a good social event. No ice cream this time. I had a craving for a good side of beef, veg and roast potatos...ended up with Curry and Rice!
Watched the Singapore Grand Prix, not a bad race but Button should have done better! Wonder if this was a pivotal race for him as Lewis didn't finish again and he could have made greater in roads, still time will tell.
On Saturday I took Max, Darcy and Libby and we all had a lovely swim followed by a trip to Hookey Pokey's ice cream shop which is a great place to visit. Reminded me of when my sister and I used to go swimming at Torrington pool on Tuesday evenings and afterwards we would go to a little local sweet shop and get a treat - normally a Topic. If we were really lucky Dad would have finished work and would have come to meet us and we would ride back home in his car at break neck speed leaving my poor Mum to follow on her own in her slower car. Funny how you remember the little things like this and the difference that having Dad arrive from wo
rk made them more memorable. I wonder whether the trip to Hookey Pokeys will stay with Max and he will remember this in years to come. As for Darcy - not sure she will remember this whole trip, at least we have the pictures to remind her!On Sunday, in addition to the above we were also joined by Paul and Sally, Ellie, Teri and Susie which made a good social event. No ice cream this time. I had a craving for a good side of beef, veg and roast potatos...ended up with Curry and Rice!
Watched the Singapore Grand Prix, not a bad race but Button should have done better! Wonder if this was a pivotal race for him as Lewis didn't finish again and he could have made greater in roads, still time will tell.
Thursday, 23 September 2010
24th September 2010 - Guard duty
On the way to work I pass a pavement community consisting of 8 makeshift 'tents'. I use the word loosely as theuy are no more than sheets of tarp or plastic sheet some bamboo sticks and some of the bricksets leavered up from the pavement itself. The community eat, sleep, play and just live in the dirt and pollution on a very busy road but they have pride. Part of the routine is that they take down the tent every few days, have a clear up and the put it back up. The women are always well turned out in bright traditional clothing, the kids always naked playing in the road and the men either out working or asleep. I don't know where they came from or how long they will live on the pavement, whether life will change for them anytime soon or what they left behind assuming they are not originally from Mumbai.
One thing that does become apparent now that the rains have stopped is that there are more makeshift tents and people on the streets so guess this could be the latest influx of people migrating into the City? One sight that could evidence this is the need for a security guard who I saw sat right in the middle of a waste patch of building land. Sitting on his knackered white plastic garden chair, big stick and big bottle of water, seems that the owners sence that this could become a prime piece of rear estate for the displaced.
One thing that does become apparent now that the rains have stopped is that there are more makeshift tents and people on the streets so guess this could be the latest influx of people migrating into the City? One sight that could evidence this is the need for a security guard who I saw sat right in the middle of a waste patch of building land. Sitting on his knackered white plastic garden chair, big stick and big bottle of water, seems that the owners sence that this could become a prime piece of rear estate for the displaced.
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
22nd September 2010 - Ganpati Bappa
Whatever that means!
I had the day off today as the kids were also off school. Wandered into Powai and chose a birthday pressy for Max, hope he likes it. Had a KFC for lunch - weird sitting in a KFC looking out onto an Indian street scene. The guy who served us had a canine tooth in the middle of his two main top front teeth, slightly weird to look at!
In the afternoon Paul W and I tried to take the kids to the Foresters swimming pool but it was shut due to Ganpati celebrations. Paul suggested we went round to Hookey Pooky's and get some ice cream which was great for the kids. Having chosen the icecream the server drops it onto a cold slab of marble and mixes in your choice of sweets, cookies, chocolate etc before scooping it up into a tub or cone. They then make a fancy chocolate lattice on the cold slab and add this to your order. Whole process takes about 5 minutes per order so fine if you are not in a hurry!
In the evening I met up with Teri, Sharan and Jason to witness the crush at the lake as thousands of Ganesha mandals were dropped in the lake at the end of the few weeks of celebrations.
I had the day off today as the kids were also off school. Wandered into Powai and chose a birthday pressy for Max, hope he likes it. Had a KFC for lunch - weird sitting in a KFC looking out onto an Indian street scene. The guy who served us had a canine tooth in the middle of his two main top front teeth, slightly weird to look at!
In the afternoon Paul W and I tried to take the kids to the Foresters swimming pool but it was shut due to Ganpati celebrations. Paul suggested we went round to Hookey Pooky's and get some ice cream which was great for the kids. Having chosen the icecream the server drops it onto a cold slab of marble and mixes in your choice of sweets, cookies, chocolate etc before scooping it up into a tub or cone. They then make a fancy chocolate lattice on the cold slab and add this to your order. Whole process takes about 5 minutes per order so fine if you are not in a hurry!
In the evening I met up with Teri, Sharan and Jason to witness the crush at the lake as thousands of Ganesha mandals were dropped in the lake at the end of the few weeks of celebrations.
22nd September 2010 - Ganpati Bappa
Whatever that means!
I had the day off today as the kids were also off school. Wandered into Powai and chose a birthday pressy for Max, hope he likes it. Had a KFC for lunch - weird sitting in a KFC looking out onto an Indian street scene. The guy who served us had a canine tooth in the middle of his two main top front teeth, slightly weird to look at!
In the afternoon Paul W and I tried to take the kids to the Foresters swimming pool but it was shut due to Ganpati celebrations. Paul suggested we went round to Hookey Pooky's and get some ice cream which was great for the kids. Having chosen the icecream the server drops it onto a cold slab of marble and mixes in your choice of sweets, cookies, chocolate etc before scooping it up into a tub or cone. They then make a fancy chocolate lattice on the cold slab and add this to your order. Whole process takes about 5 minutes per order so fine if you are not in a hurry!
In the evening I met up with Teri, Sharan and Jason to witness the crush at the lake as thousands of Ganesha mandals were dropped in the lake at the end of the few weeks of celebrations.
I had the day off today as the kids were also off school. Wandered into Powai and chose a birthday pressy for Max, hope he likes it. Had a KFC for lunch - weird sitting in a KFC looking out onto an Indian street scene. The guy who served us had a canine tooth in the middle of his two main top front teeth, slightly weird to look at!
In the afternoon Paul W and I tried to take the kids to the Foresters swimming pool but it was shut due to Ganpati celebrations. Paul suggested we went round to Hookey Pooky's and get some ice cream which was great for the kids. Having chosen the icecream the server drops it onto a cold slab of marble and mixes in your choice of sweets, cookies, chocolate etc before scooping it up into a tub or cone. They then make a fancy chocolate lattice on the cold slab and add this to your order. Whole process takes about 5 minutes per order so fine if you are not in a hurry!
In the evening I met up with Teri, Sharan and Jason to witness the crush at the lake as thousands of Ganesha mandals were dropped in the lake at the end of the few weeks of celebrations.
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
21st September 2010 - CWG
The Indian effort to host the Commonwealth Games has come in for some sharp critisim - actually it has been pretty much dammed by everyone. The latest set of issues range from a footbridge colapse, which injured 27 workers - this was one of the routes for the atheletes into the main stadium. The atheletes village has been condemed as uninhabitable (dogs sleeping in the beds, workers also living there etc) Dehli has been getting higher than average rains - the nearby river is 1.47m above the danger mark and the water authorities are thinking about releasing water from the dam which could flood some of the atheletes village, atheletes have pulled out and entire countries are thinking of abandoning althogether and there is the usual threat of terror attacks! Will it actually happen? My view at the moment is NO! Watch this space.
My friend Martin Culley leaves India on the 31st September after 2.5 years living in Mumbai and working for Capita. One last piece of bureaucracy to go through, he needed to get an exit visa! He spent all day down at the FRRO office in South Mumbai and was relived of Rs 20,400 (£300) for the privilege of the little stamp that allows him to escape! We won't mention the number of trees that were pulped in order to cope with the sheer level of paperwork that was required!
Topped the day off with a leaving meal at Spaghetti Kitchen in Powai - the only restaurant I haven't seen here yet is an Indian restaurant!
My friend Martin Culley leaves India on the 31st September after 2.5 years living in Mumbai and working for Capita. One last piece of bureaucracy to go through, he needed to get an exit visa! He spent all day down at the FRRO office in South Mumbai and was relived of Rs 20,400 (£300) for the privilege of the little stamp that allows him to escape! We won't mention the number of trees that were pulped in order to cope with the sheer level of paperwork that was required!
Topped the day off with a leaving meal at Spaghetti Kitchen in Powai - the only restaurant I haven't seen here yet is an Indian restaurant!
Sunday, 19 September 2010
20th September 2010 - Dogs
Whilst dropping darcy off at Nursery this morning I heard a very strange sound - Jingle Bells - it was someones ring tone on their mobile!
Stopped for coffee with Susie at Gloria Jeans. Looked outside and saw a cage van, the dog catcher was in town. Saw a pack of strays leg it and three doppy lookinf dog catchers with noose's on sticks return to the van empty handed. They'll have to get up early to catch these street smart dogs. I asked Aftab about the dogs fate, seems they are destined for the lab so pleased none were caught.
Stopped for coffee with Susie at Gloria Jeans. Looked outside and saw a cage van, the dog catcher was in town. Saw a pack of strays leg it and three doppy lookinf dog catchers with noose's on sticks return to the van empty handed. They'll have to get up early to catch these street smart dogs. I asked Aftab about the dogs fate, seems they are destined for the lab so pleased none were caught.
Saturday, 18 September 2010
18th September 2010 - Vashi Fort
Went to Vashi Fort today with Paul and Sally. It is located about 45 miles north west of Mumbai and it felt like another world entirely, very little traffic, very few people, nice fresh breeze and a surprisingly pretty although broken down fort. Think Corfe Castle and you have a picture to start with. The area reminded me of Goa a little, wide open fields/flatlands, lots of trees and hills all in all very refreshing.
Had our picnic lunch by the car, we had taken it with us but ended up walking in a circle so decided to eat up and then leave the picnic bags
in the car. Whilst we were eating a little group of water buffalow came along to see us, as did a very friendly dog with mange and a group of passing locals. The woman in the party began having a very heated debate with Aftab who told us afterwards that the woman had blamed us for knocking over her fish tank and running over her fish. She wanted Rs200 in compensation!
Back in the car now and making good progress back home. All in all a great day out, full of the usual Indian colour and curiosity.
Just seen a road sign which stated that Bandra was 9km and Mumbai was 46km - I said to Aftab that the distance didn't seem right so one of them must be wrong, he laughed and said that both of them were wrong - T.I.I ;-)
Had our picnic lunch by the car, we had taken it with us but ended up walking in a circle so decided to eat up and then leave the picnic bags
in the car. Whilst we were eating a little group of water buffalow came along to see us, as did a very friendly dog with mange and a group of passing locals. The woman in the party began having a very heated debate with Aftab who told us afterwards that the woman had blamed us for knocking over her fish tank and running over her fish. She wanted Rs200 in compensation!
Back in the car now and making good progress back home. All in all a great day out, full of the usual Indian colour and curiosity.
Just seen a road sign which stated that Bandra was 9km and Mumbai was 46km - I said to Aftab that the distance didn't seem right so one of them must be wrong, he laughed and said that both of them were wrong - T.I.I ;-)
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
15th September 2010 - Ganpati
Saw my first Ganpati mandal today. Just a small one approx 18 inches high, painted in bright glowing colours, strapped to the back of a truck with the prerequisit of 3 people hanging on to the load. It was on its way to the Powai lake to be immersed in the water by the faithful having worshiped the mandal of Ganesh in their community for the last few days. As the days pass so bigger and bigger mandals arrive at the lake - the bigger the mandal the longer people worship it and the more people are represented e.g. Larger communities or factories etc. Presumably the bigger the splash when the mandal is dropped into the water and the greater the polution - plaster of paris is very toxic!
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