Wade has tirelessly done laundry most of the night while I sit on Caden’s four inch “mattress” trying to support him so he stays a little upright (remember no pillow supply). But Wade has also figured out the key to the shower and I decide to take one, just in case I missed a spot on the last, cold, round. I step in and turn it on as instructed only to scald my feet – literally. Safety standards are apparently different, so I wrestle with the nobs from outside and get it figured out to take a nice hot shower (at least for the first 3 minutes).
We had been planning to go out for brunch at 11am and had thus arranged a driver. I really want to go nowhere, but here is this guy at my door wanting to take my somewhere, and heck, I do need sheets. So Wade and I decided I should go “shopping” while he took a turn resting with Caden.
Out into the city again is still a feast for the senses, and if not always pleasant, still really enthralling. And the drive does force one to contemplate the value of life. It’s refreshing even as my eyes and throat sting with the pollution. I have instructed my driver to take my somewhere they sell sheets and that I don’t care where (yes, I know the sensibility of this trust). He has selected a small shop some 45 minutes from home, but gives me a mini-tour of Bangalore the whole way. It was actually really nice. The shop I can’t help but think “catered to tourists”, but it was fun, and chock full of handicrafts and treasures of every sort. I find a sheet for $80 and barter it down to $42. Still ridiculously expensive I’m sure, but heck, it’s my first time shopping. It’s blue and had elephants on it for Caden’s room. I won’t be buying the sets for all three rooms here, but I feel a sense of accomplishment. The sales lady offers to show my around the shop, including several statues of Ganesh. She assures me this is something every home needs, for luck. I flash back to the hotel, and the large Ganesh statue and fountain in front. I decide I agree, and surely this will make my house a home, with better luck for our second night.
We stop at a grocery store on the way home, where I find some staples and a couple other ex-pats shopping (one with a Target visa) – welcome validation, friendly conversation and knowing smiles. I decide I like this place, and the adventure and variety of experience. I can do this.
I head home, to find Caden and Wade playing on the playground, no visible illness and happy smiles. We spent the afternoon in the beautiful sun out on the playground while Wade went back for a much-deserved nap. Then we took a walk through the palm tree-lined neighborhood, stopping at the shops up front for a few more staples (Caden finds they have plain, Barilla penne noodles, and for only $6 we can make him SO happy). We can’t get the stove to work though (still struggling apparently with the nob combination issues). And we don’t have a pot yet anyhow. We make Caden a grilled cheese for instant gratification and order a pizza from Pizza Hut for us. It arrives speedily, and with extra seasoning that I decide is actually a really good substitute for my familiar parmesan. We got settled for bed then watched Diego and I’m writing this. So, all in all, it was a good day. I’m off to bed, as tomorrow is my first day of my new job. And I need to be there by 10am. :)
We had been planning to go out for brunch at 11am and had thus arranged a driver. I really want to go nowhere, but here is this guy at my door wanting to take my somewhere, and heck, I do need sheets. So Wade and I decided I should go “shopping” while he took a turn resting with Caden.
Out into the city again is still a feast for the senses, and if not always pleasant, still really enthralling. And the drive does force one to contemplate the value of life. It’s refreshing even as my eyes and throat sting with the pollution. I have instructed my driver to take my somewhere they sell sheets and that I don’t care where (yes, I know the sensibility of this trust). He has selected a small shop some 45 minutes from home, but gives me a mini-tour of Bangalore the whole way. It was actually really nice. The shop I can’t help but think “catered to tourists”, but it was fun, and chock full of handicrafts and treasures of every sort. I find a sheet for $80 and barter it down to $42. Still ridiculously expensive I’m sure, but heck, it’s my first time shopping. It’s blue and had elephants on it for Caden’s room. I won’t be buying the sets for all three rooms here, but I feel a sense of accomplishment. The sales lady offers to show my around the shop, including several statues of Ganesh. She assures me this is something every home needs, for luck. I flash back to the hotel, and the large Ganesh statue and fountain in front. I decide I agree, and surely this will make my house a home, with better luck for our second night.
We stop at a grocery store on the way home, where I find some staples and a couple other ex-pats shopping (one with a Target visa) – welcome validation, friendly conversation and knowing smiles. I decide I like this place, and the adventure and variety of experience. I can do this.
I head home, to find Caden and Wade playing on the playground, no visible illness and happy smiles. We spent the afternoon in the beautiful sun out on the playground while Wade went back for a much-deserved nap. Then we took a walk through the palm tree-lined neighborhood, stopping at the shops up front for a few more staples (Caden finds they have plain, Barilla penne noodles, and for only $6 we can make him SO happy). We can’t get the stove to work though (still struggling apparently with the nob combination issues). And we don’t have a pot yet anyhow. We make Caden a grilled cheese for instant gratification and order a pizza from Pizza Hut for us. It arrives speedily, and with extra seasoning that I decide is actually a really good substitute for my familiar parmesan. We got settled for bed then watched Diego and I’m writing this. So, all in all, it was a good day. I’m off to bed, as tomorrow is my first day of my new job. And I need to be there by 10am. :)
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