Every morning as I'm getting ready for work, some guy is using the driveway below my bedroom window to hack up a lung.
No privacy, or discretion, in India.
August 20, 2014
August 17, 2014
Mumbai Fire Brigade
Caught the Mumbai Fire Brigade in action today. Two fire trucks arrived to put out a fire that destroyed three small businesses.
This fireman was delightful - he gave me the whole story, cautioned me against the traffic, and let me take his photo. The angry little man next to him just scowled at me the whole time. lol
August 9, 2014
Daily Ups and Downs Snapshot
Driving home, the car behind me riding my tail, attempts to pass me on the curbside of the street as we cross an intersection when the light turns yellow, then lays on his horn when he's unable to pass. He continues honking as I wait till the congestion in front of me clears, so I flip him the finger, as one does in Mumbai traffic (I get all sorts of 'gestures' when I'm driving).
We move forward and I turn on my right turn signal so he speeds up next to me, preventing me turning, rolls down his window and his screaming something. He's a clean-cut Indian guy, in a decent midsize car, bluetooth earpiece, looks civil, but when I roll down my window he's screaming, 'Hooker!' I can't help but laugh at his thick Indian accent and choice of 'fighting' words, so I offer my Youngstown equivalent and he drives off.
Still in awe of the supposed gender rules in India for now, driving, apparently, I pull into my street to park. The spots in front of my gate are taken so I park a couple buildings down. As soon as I exit my car, my neighbor's conservative muslim driver, the guard for the building across from my gate, and the guard for the building under construction at the corner approach me and tell me to park somewhere else.
They have varying levels of English, the driver's being the best, and they finally explain that the construction trucks have been coming down the street every hour and where I parked would likely get scratched. So they look around and decide to move somebody else's car around the corner and have me move forward, closer to my house. Smiles and head bobbles all around.
And just as I'm entering my gate, bewildered at how some Indian men can be so kind while others are total beasts, a bird shits on my head. I'm steps away from my door when my vomit reflex kicks in and I run up the stairs to my house.
Ups and downs, I tell you, ups and downs.
We move forward and I turn on my right turn signal so he speeds up next to me, preventing me turning, rolls down his window and his screaming something. He's a clean-cut Indian guy, in a decent midsize car, bluetooth earpiece, looks civil, but when I roll down my window he's screaming, 'Hooker!' I can't help but laugh at his thick Indian accent and choice of 'fighting' words, so I offer my Youngstown equivalent and he drives off.
Still in awe of the supposed gender rules in India for now, driving, apparently, I pull into my street to park. The spots in front of my gate are taken so I park a couple buildings down. As soon as I exit my car, my neighbor's conservative muslim driver, the guard for the building across from my gate, and the guard for the building under construction at the corner approach me and tell me to park somewhere else.
They have varying levels of English, the driver's being the best, and they finally explain that the construction trucks have been coming down the street every hour and where I parked would likely get scratched. So they look around and decide to move somebody else's car around the corner and have me move forward, closer to my house. Smiles and head bobbles all around.
And just as I'm entering my gate, bewildered at how some Indian men can be so kind while others are total beasts, a bird shits on my head. I'm steps away from my door when my vomit reflex kicks in and I run up the stairs to my house.
Ups and downs, I tell you, ups and downs.
August 8, 2014
August 7, 2014
Monsoon Around Town
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| This is monsoon. |
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| Unpleasant street crossing. |
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| A brief respite from the rains, but we're all still soaked. |
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| Because, how else would you protect your limo? |
August 4, 2014
Start of Year Three!
Back in Mumbai and it's been pouring non-stop. The cloud cover is so thick none of the city lights were visible from the air until just at landing.
Internet is out, but the house is dry. Dehumidifier running and AC's on 'dry mode' as well. Outside everything is green and puddles are suspicious. Only about a month left of monsoon then 8 months of sunshine!
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