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!
Thursday, 30 September 2010
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!
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
12th September 2010 - Steps
Took the kids down to Daffodil market this morning in search of a step ladder. Found a hardware shop and selected a medium sized ladder for Rs800 (about 12 quid) which they delivered for free. The shop also had a range of lights and anything from a massive range of lights in a catalogue could be delivered within the hour. Not quite sure where they would have got them from as the shop was tiny!
Walked back to Gloria Jeans for a cool drink before hailing a Tuk Tuk and riding home, Darcy standing on the floor and holding the bar behind the driver - just like the Indian kids - which she loved!
Simple lunch then over to the Renaissance for a lazy afteernoon by the pool, spot of tea then back home, just before the lake road was closed in time for the F1 race from Monza - great day :-)
Walked back to Gloria Jeans for a cool drink before hailing a Tuk Tuk and riding home, Darcy standing on the floor and holding the bar behind the driver - just like the Indian kids - which she loved!
Simple lunch then over to the Renaissance for a lazy afteernoon by the pool, spot of tea then back home, just before the lake road was closed in time for the F1 race from Monza - great day :-)
14th September 2010 - Cargo
Quick quiz - what is the most common cargo carried by vans and trucks in Mumbai? Yep, that's right, people! Doesn't matter what the back of the vehicle is full of there are always a group of people sat on top. Then when it is empty they sit in the back just with room to spread out and have a nice sleep as opposed to hanging onto the load for dear life!
Made inpressive progress home tonight, very clear roads right up until a mile from home then gridlock! Only made by 6 police stood by the side of the road watching the travel chaos!
Made inpressive progress home tonight, very clear roads right up until a mile from home then gridlock! Only made by 6 police stood by the side of the road watching the travel chaos!
Sunday, 12 September 2010
11th September 2010 - Ganesh's Birthday
Today it is Ganesh's birthday. This marks the start of up to 3 weeks of worship of a mantal followed by its submersion in water - sea for the really big ones, lake for the smaller ones. Mostly made out of plaster of paris these mantals eventually dissolve, discharging their chemical payload into the water and killing any nearby sealife. What with all the concrete being used here, the rubbish, polution etc it is an environmental disaster here everyday of the week!
Spent most of the day getting ready for our housewarming party this evening. Around 16 people invited, 8 turned up baring a lovely array of housewarming gifts. When I say lovely I really mean tacky, as this is the object of the exercise. Had some brilliant contenders for the prize but in the end I think the resin cream and orange winged horse statue pipped the others.....close run thing though!
Had a good party and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. Once again Martin surpassed himself with a great quiz though sadly Dan and I, with a man down (SHJ went to bed) came 3rd.
Spent most of the day getting ready for our housewarming party this evening. Around 16 people invited, 8 turned up baring a lovely array of housewarming gifts. When I say lovely I really mean tacky, as this is the object of the exercise. Had some brilliant contenders for the prize but in the end I think the resin cream and orange winged horse statue pipped the others.....close run thing though!
Had a good party and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. Once again Martin surpassed himself with a great quiz though sadly Dan and I, with a man down (SHJ went to bed) came 3rd.
Thursday, 9 September 2010
10th September 2010 - EID
End of EID today, Aftab has today and tomorrow off to go and celebrate with his family. Hadn't realised that he actually stays with his brother in Ghatkopar whilst he is driving for us and doesn't get to see his Wife and Daughter - it is the little things that are easy to forget about but a wanted to make sure he had this imoortant time off.
After work Martin and I went for a quite drink....which turned into a not quite so quite drink as we were joined by Teri, Paul, Sharan, Jason and Helen. All stayed out and got very drunk great unplanned evening which I really enjoyed!
After work Martin and I went for a quite drink....which turned into a not quite so quite drink as we were joined by Teri, Paul, Sharan, Jason and Helen. All stayed out and got very drunk great unplanned evening which I really enjoyed!
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
9th September 2010 - Scan
Max at home playing omputer games, Darcy frog marched into Nursery (she is fine once she gets there and calms down!) Susie and I went to the Dr L Hiranadani hospital for a scan. Having waited for ages we final got to the scan room and see 'Tiger' Thompy for the first time. All arms, legs, fingers and toes, head, spine, heart going like the clappers and blood pumping! Amazing to see even some of it in 3D, delighted that we went for the DVD so that we have this to show the kids later, think it helps the understanding and association.
Off to work now, I left Susie to finish off the blood tests and then to pick up Darcy.
Happy day, proud new (old) parents!
I may have noted this before in a blog but the BEST buses that run around Mumbai really are packed to the gunals. Get a nice picture this evenings as an example.
Off to work now, I left Susie to finish off the blood tests and then to pick up Darcy.
Happy day, proud new (old) parents!
I may have noted this before in a blog but the BEST buses that run around Mumbai really are packed to the gunals. Get a nice picture this evenings as an example.
8th September 2010 - Mourning
Max went to school today as normal. Susie had a phone call from him a hour later to say that school was closing until Monday as the schools founder had died. Max was delighted at the news and I can only home that he showed some tact and wasn't whooping and dancing down the school corrider! I have a nasty feeling he might have done, at the prospect of time off rather than the death bit but then again he is a 9 year old boy!
8th September 2010 - Mourning
Max went to school today as normal. Susie had a phone call from him a hour later to say that school was closing until Monday as the schools founder had died. Max was delighted at the news and I can only home that he showed some tact and wasn't whooping and dancing down the school corrider! I have a nasty feeling he might have done, at the prospect of time off rather than the death bit but then again he is a 9 year old boy!
Monday, 6 September 2010
7th September 2010 - Equality
Haven't really seen much to suggest an unequal split between men and women here, they all seem to be employed doing similar roles with a few exceptions, e.g. Builders, taxi drivers. This morning on the way to work we followed a medium sized 3 wheeler truck piled high with clear bags of rubbish. Sitting right on top of the load in the pouring rain was a lady. She was sat about 10 feet in the air, holding on for dear life, soaked to the skin whilst the driver and his mate sat in the cab isolated from the weather and danger!
Auto Rik and Taxi strike today, 2 out of the 3 Union members are off the road, leaving stacks of auto riks by the side of the road, which reminds me a little of a load of dead wasps.
At the weekend it is Gannesh's birthday which is followed by weeks of celebrations. It will be good to try and see some of these, including the submersion in the lake and sea. In a macarb way the lake will be interesting as there have been 3 people killed by crocs since we have been here, not that it seems to stop the locals fishing whilst sitting in a rubber ring!
Auto Rik and Taxi strike today, 2 out of the 3 Union members are off the road, leaving stacks of auto riks by the side of the road, which reminds me a little of a load of dead wasps.
At the weekend it is Gannesh's birthday which is followed by weeks of celebrations. It will be good to try and see some of these, including the submersion in the lake and sea. In a macarb way the lake will be interesting as there have been 3 people killed by crocs since we have been here, not that it seems to stop the locals fishing whilst sitting in a rubber ring!
Sunday, 5 September 2010
5th September 2010 - Indian B&Q
Following the success of our trip to the Indian equivalent of Wilton House garden centre yesterday, we set off in search of a hardware store to buy a roller and some paint brushes. 
Heading out of the relative normallity of Hiranandani Gardens into the surrounding Powai we then decend into the tiny roads of down town Powai to try and find the Hardware store. Past the massive tree in the road - not in the middle of the road you understand but in the middle of the left hand side of the road, it really is a strange thing to see.
Eventually we found the store a cross between open all hours and the shop in the fantastic 'fork handles' two Ronnies sketch.
Eventually we found the store a cross between open all hours and the shop in the fantastic 'fork handles' two Ronnies sketch.This is just one section of the shop with the counter across the front so you either have to know the name of what it is you want or be able to describe it to the shop keeper. He then disappears off to find it for you and come back with hopefully what it is you need. The other interesting thing with this (and some other shops) is how the guy actually deals with about 5 customers at the same time, no queuing he just deals with all in a seamless gliding motion - very impressive. So two rollers, different sizes and different materials, even though I wanted two the same and 2 paint brushes for Rs160 about £2.40 - just interested to see how they hang together when I actually use them!
Having got the brushes we went off to the Renaissance Hotel for their lovely, but expensive, Sunday brunch. We saw Deepak the Tuk Tuk driver at the Apartments and had a ride around the grounds of the Hotel which is great fun. On a Sunday the Hotel has a childrens entertainer who comes around the tables, makes ballon animals etc and then lets you know what other kids activities there are in the Hotel. The first time we had brunch the entertainer lady was wearing a clown outfit which seems pretty reasonable. This time however, I just can't quite imagine the thought process that went into choosing this outfit. The PVC mini skirt, knee high boots, handcuffs are one thing however when the modelling balloons were blown up it looked like an Ann Summers party! I had to get her to make a sword for Max, just to extend the childish joke!
4th September 2010 - Plants
Although we have some plants on the balcony they are all a little green with no real colour variation. Along one of the short cuts to work I remembered that there was a place on the side of the road that appeared to sell plants, either that or it was a very well stocked layby.
We all piled into the In
nova and went off to have a look. It turned out to be a 'garden centre' with some quite nice plants and a man who didn't speak English who wrote down the prices of the plants we pointed at. This worked really well until we needed to get some of the plants repotted, buy some plastic trays and get newspaper to put in the car to protect the carpet. Luckily Aftab our driver helped out, even adding up the cost on his mobile phone and finding out that the garden centre man had over charged us by R35, about 50p! So we have a Jasmin, a Palm, and 2 other varigated plants plus pots, compost and trays to stand the pots on for about £16.
We all piled into the In
nova and went off to have a look. It turned out to be a 'garden centre' with some quite nice plants and a man who didn't speak English who wrote down the prices of the plants we pointed at. This worked really well until we needed to get some of the plants repotted, buy some plastic trays and get newspaper to put in the car to protect the carpet. Luckily Aftab our driver helped out, even adding up the cost on his mobile phone and finding out that the garden centre man had over charged us by R35, about 50p! So we have a Jasmin, a Palm, and 2 other varigated plants plus pots, compost and trays to stand the pots on for about £16.
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
2nd September 2010 - Ganesh's Birthday
Kids are on holiday today as it is Ganesh's birthday.
As part of the celebrations people gather to celebrate and one of the activities is a money grab. Basically local businesses, local leaders and anyone who want publicity donate cash, the cash is placed in a bag and suspended 30-40 feet off the ground and groups of people have to form a human piramid to grab the suspended bag of cash. Can't wait to see this - sounds like carnage!
Stopped in traffic and a hawker burning some sort of incence, comes over to our car and Aftab pays a few Rs for him to waft the smoke into our car. Car full of smoke the lights change and we drive off fighting to see through the fug inside the car! Odd smell and my heart is now racing and I feel light headed - assured by Aftab that Loban is just a smell with no other effects!
As part of the celebrations people gather to celebrate and one of the activities is a money grab. Basically local businesses, local leaders and anyone who want publicity donate cash, the cash is placed in a bag and suspended 30-40 feet off the ground and groups of people have to form a human piramid to grab the suspended bag of cash. Can't wait to see this - sounds like carnage!
Stopped in traffic and a hawker burning some sort of incence, comes over to our car and Aftab pays a few Rs for him to waft the smoke into our car. Car full of smoke the lights change and we drive off fighting to see through the fug inside the car! Odd smell and my heart is now racing and I feel light headed - assured by Aftab that Loban is just a smell with no other effects!
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