Well it's our 5th day here in India and we finally decided to venture out! It wasn't that we were intentionally not leaving but more that we were content to stay but and settle in. When you're going to be somewhere for 10 weeks there's less pressure to get out and do things right away. This morning we emerged after a fantastic night's sleep for everyone. Isabel and Paul woke around 5:30am and enjoyed what is becoming a tradition of breakfast together and Jusden and I slept until 10:30am! I don't remember the last time I did that...we both needed it for sure.
So we decided today was the day; the day to venture out past the four walls of our new home and head to the mall! This meant one thing...it was time to call Ghouse. Ghouse is our driver. Deloitte, more out of necessity than a kind gesture, although it certainly is kind, has hired us a driver for our time here. We met him when he picked us up from the airport on Monday but he hasn't heard from us since. I would have to assume he has been wondering what happened to us and why we left him with the kids car seats taking up his entire backseat if we weren't going to call him for a ride anywhere. Car seats are extremely uncommon here - I suppose in a place that seat belts aren't required, helmets are no where to be seen and a family of 5 can be found driving down the road on a small motorcycle...why would anyone invest in a car seat? Knowing this, we still brought them along for the kids. I figure if we need them on our streets, we certainly need them here!
Back to Ghouse; it was time to give him a call. This is the point in the day that I realized I have no idea how to call anyone in India. It really shouldn't be that complicated...I have a phone, actually I have two - my cell and the room phone...and I have a phone number to call. But try as I might, I couldn't make it happen. Finally I got through...to Ghouse's daughter. She seemed lovely, but she wasn't Ghouse. She kept telling me he had gone somewhere but I couldn't figure out what she was saying...in the end I found out he had gone to pray. Turns out I could learn something from Ghouse's example of his devotion to his faith, even if we wouldn't see eye-to-eye on to whom we should be praying.
Fast forward, Ghouse arrived and we headed to the mall. Always a fascinating drive, no matter where you're driving in India. So many new things to see, so many people to watch; I love it!
When we arrived at the mall I quickly realized we were gathering some attention. I'm still unsure if it was our cute children, our stroller (which I gather is rare to have) or our..."unique" family combination. I suspect the latter but the stroller is definitely up there in the runnings. Either way, I have concluded that we probably should leave the stroller next time we go to the mall. It seems people like to ride the elevators here in India over the stairs or the escalator and a "full" elevator means something very different here than it does at home. Needless to say, the door opened and closed many times before there was space enough for us all..and the stroller. We made it a short trip this time - Judsen was love smiling at all the people, Paul and I were enjoying just being out but Isabel didn't seem to be enjoying all the people around. We'll go back again another time, without the stroller.
So we decided today was the day; the day to venture out past the four walls of our new home and head to the mall! This meant one thing...it was time to call Ghouse. Ghouse is our driver. Deloitte, more out of necessity than a kind gesture, although it certainly is kind, has hired us a driver for our time here. We met him when he picked us up from the airport on Monday but he hasn't heard from us since. I would have to assume he has been wondering what happened to us and why we left him with the kids car seats taking up his entire backseat if we weren't going to call him for a ride anywhere. Car seats are extremely uncommon here - I suppose in a place that seat belts aren't required, helmets are no where to be seen and a family of 5 can be found driving down the road on a small motorcycle...why would anyone invest in a car seat? Knowing this, we still brought them along for the kids. I figure if we need them on our streets, we certainly need them here!
Back to Ghouse; it was time to give him a call. This is the point in the day that I realized I have no idea how to call anyone in India. It really shouldn't be that complicated...I have a phone, actually I have two - my cell and the room phone...and I have a phone number to call. But try as I might, I couldn't make it happen. Finally I got through...to Ghouse's daughter. She seemed lovely, but she wasn't Ghouse. She kept telling me he had gone somewhere but I couldn't figure out what she was saying...in the end I found out he had gone to pray. Turns out I could learn something from Ghouse's example of his devotion to his faith, even if we wouldn't see eye-to-eye on to whom we should be praying.
Fast forward, Ghouse arrived and we headed to the mall. Always a fascinating drive, no matter where you're driving in India. So many new things to see, so many people to watch; I love it!
When we arrived at the mall I quickly realized we were gathering some attention. I'm still unsure if it was our cute children, our stroller (which I gather is rare to have) or our..."unique" family combination. I suspect the latter but the stroller is definitely up there in the runnings. Either way, I have concluded that we probably should leave the stroller next time we go to the mall. It seems people like to ride the elevators here in India over the stairs or the escalator and a "full" elevator means something very different here than it does at home. Needless to say, the door opened and closed many times before there was space enough for us all..and the stroller. We made it a short trip this time - Judsen was love smiling at all the people, Paul and I were enjoying just being out but Isabel didn't seem to be enjoying all the people around. We'll go back again another time, without the stroller.
I was very curious to see what the International Food section would include in India.
Here's a few things you'd recognize.
I was so excited to see Cheerios. We brought some of Isabel's favourite snacks with us but couldn't fit the cheerios. It might be hard to see but they were 699 INR - that nearly $13 for a normal box...she can look forward to them when she gets home!
Paul was excited about Marks & Spencer - I don't remember it being in Halifax. He's old. :)
MAC - Just as beautiful as at home
For April MacLaughlin :)
As always your posts bring a smile to my day.
ReplyDelete