Mobility in Bangalore

On Monday night, we were assigned our car, “Peanut,” and our driver, Lokesh. Our car is a brand new Honda City (think smaller than a Civic) and nice, but we couldn’t help but make a quick comparison to Ricky, the beautiful Pathfinder that we’d just “sold” (given) back to the dealer on the 15^th. It’s great to have a car now, but is definitely going to be a change going from two cars to one that we can’t drive without help! (Wade did drive it around the block of our silent-street, gated community just to prove he could move it, but I don’ think this will help us outside these walls.) Driving in Bangalore is definitely different so even though it’s been done on every other blog I’ve seen, I’ll take a stab too.

First, I know you’re laughing mom that we would name our car even here, but hey, it’s tradition. And Peanut is a good name. Wade likes it because it gets good gas mileage and has a manual transmission. Lokesh took care of the traditional details on the India end, with a ritual called puja, a blessing typically done as soon as possible after a purchase (but only on auspicious days). We weren’t able to attend, but here is a photo of the car post-puja. Lokesh also installed a small Ganesha (god for good luck), and some air freshener. I’m glad for this attention to detail, because really, a little luck can’t hurt when you’re driving around here.

It really lives up to expectations. It’s crazy. The sheer volume of traffic isn’t even the start of it (although that is incredible). There really are no lanes, and the roads clearly aren’t just for cars. We’re one of the largest contraptions on the road in our Peanut. There are tons of motorcycles, auto-rickshaws (the three wheel motor carts), bicycles, pedestrians, cows, tractors, some buses, some trucks and an occasional policeman, directing/adding to the madness by trying to stop traffic, which results in pole-position stye jockeying for the front of the line. They do generally drive on the left, unless that is full, in which case the right is also an option. Lokesh keeps the mirrors folded in so that they don’t get hit, and tells me that if someone is coming, they will honk – no need for mirrors. The commute really does help one reflect on faith and physics.

Back to the honk, at night sometimes substituted by the bright light-flash…this is used (I think) to say hello, greetings fellow-traveler, move it *@^hole, I’m not stopping for you and occasionally just to fill in, for seemingly random effect. Honking and physics are also separate… clearly you can honk and run around a pedestrian or stray cyclist. But they won’t necessarily move, or acknowledge the honk, or laws of physics. Same for us on the other end, we travel past the airport fueling station. And we are not afraid to honk at the (presumably full) fuel tanker that looks to have been built and last serviced in 1962. I’m not sure what this is “saying” to the truck. I think it’s just a tribute to democracy. Or a really stupid game of chicken.

Actually by Indian standards, Lokesh is a very conservative driver. He occasionally stops for a pedestrian, uses his signals, and almost always slows down on the speed bumps or really rough roads. I will try to take some pictures of the “road” we use to drive to work. It’s indescribable – rough, off-road, should only be one lane but isn’t… it doesn’t tell you what a few pictures will. Our camera is out of battery though – hopefully our shipment will arrive soon. Many more pictures to come.

Updates from the work week

I cannot believe it’s Friday tomorrow. Where did the week go? If this is any sign, I’ll be home by Tuesday… or so it will feel. I make a mental note to remember to enjoy it… and keep this updated! :)

I went to work in fine time on Monday, riding in with Tracy to arrive by 10am. Off to orientation… Target orientation that is. I wanted to experience what our new team members will be experiencing (there will be a lot of them with our growth plan!), and wanted to learn a little more about what questions, etc. they would raise. It was a good decision… fascinating how something I TOTALLY take for granted (aka Target) would be foreign to them. I’m not talking about the finer points of our org structure or details of supply chain systems. For example, I mean the idea of modern retail – so many things under one roof, and people at times would actually go in and “sign-up” for the gifts they wanted (aka register), and guests at weddings would come and buy the things the happy couple had so graciously self-selected. (At this point, I made the chatter and sense of amazement in the room worse by pointing out that we also carry out this ritual in advance of babies.) Actually, I think I have to give them this one – it is a little weird. But orientation was interesting and it was a good first day.
Other observations on the office…

• It is Target, and looks like it. Same look and Target dog in the lobby. See picture.
• The lights really do go out frequently (several times each day, albeit briefly). The computers stay on though and minimal lighting and no one even slows down or pauses conversation.
• There is no Caribou and no Starbucks. There is a coffee machine in the service area, but it dispenses glasses of coffee in two-ounce shots and you aren’t allowed to remove it from a designated area just outside.
  We’ve eaten lunch in the cafeteria most days. The food is free and not bad – limited selection of vegetarian options and not too spicy. There is no diet coke. In fact, there’s no beverages at all. Not even a water fountain. Apparently, it’s not usual to drink with lunch. Anything.
• The lack of coffee, lunch options and soda will save a good deal of money – but the adage coming to mind… you get what you pay for.
• Office supplies really are at a premium, and I suppose that keeps waste down! Very little is printed which is good. The paper is slightly differently sized than back home (longer).
• Everyone is really, really nice. It’s definitely a new experience to stick out so much around the office, and crazy how much everyone is accommodating. I’m sure we’ll get more comfortable with each other soon, but right now it is a little awkward.
• I think I’ll work a lot. There is so much to do, and so fun to be a part of a “start-up” but it definitely leaves plenty to be done. I’ll have to push myself to keep sane and have a reasonable balance (even if it does go fast). I’m thinking of getting back to yoga once our stuff arrives.

So overall, it’s going well. I’m really excited about this job and what we can accomplish over the next year. I think it will be a great move for us personally, and also for me professionally. I am already really learning a lot, about the job and about myself. So wish me luck and we’ll see you soon!!

(More on the non-work updates soon!)

Pictures of the house, part 2

Ok, Wade laughed at me for taking this picture, but amidst the beautiful home, I feel inclined to point out that I have a "squatty potty" in my home. Really - right off the main entry living area. They tell me it's for the help, but I say they can use whatever potty they want to. I suppose it's sweet of the house to offer something for everyone!

Caden in his new bedroom - happy as can be, and he has a neat little patio off his bedroom (which we'll keep locked).
View from the front of the rooftop patio, which wraps around the top. A nice big space, where we're planning for some chairs and a grill. :)
Wade on the back side of the roof... by the clothes line.
View down the other side of the lane...
That's all the pictures I took of the house... I'll take some more soon of the neighborhood, and the office too. (I just didn't want to be that girl snapping photos at the office like I've never seen a cubicle before.. just yet!)

Have a good day/night everyone!
~Angela

Pictures of the House, part 1

The front of the house... Our front "yard" and view down the road...


Wade standing in the front foyer...so much natural light!! The guest bedroom... bring on the guests!!! (Not to worry, we're shopping for some furnishings.)From the front door looking in at the dining and kitchen...there's really beautiful tile through the house, especially in the kitchen.

Day 3: Recovery...

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. :)

Day 2: On to the rollercoaster

A stray picture from the plane...

Many of the expats I've talked to describe it as being on a roller-coaster....

Saturday started out a great day. Caden slept until almost 4 (hey, that’s improvement). We put on a movie for him in the room, throughout which he had many questions: Caden: “Mom…MOM…MOM!!...(pause)...what was that?”
Mom (through closed eyes): “I think it was an elephant”
Caden (incredulously): “Noooooo.”
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Oh well, we got up and got the hotel room packed back up into the 12 pieces of baggage of which we’d somehow managed to use all of them. Then down to breakfast, where I decided that I will probably not lose any weight in India, as intended. Again the most fantastic buffet of food ever seen. Juices of every kind, fruit, cereal, made-to-order omelets and waffles, meats, potatoes, and on an on. Far from struggling to eat, Caden had two eggs, a waffle, juice, fruit and hash browns. I also ate well, and again opted for the beef tenderloin (just on principle). Oh, and they had great coffee. Black. Liars everyone that told me no good coffee (at least for now). I do have to add that this is not the affordable way to dine in India, but it’s good to know there are options.

Saravanan (Tracy’s driver) picked us up from the hotel and took us to the birthday party at Palm Meadows. It was great – quite a party and Caden had a lot of fun, as did we. There were so many kids there, and face painting and pottery and games. Really fun. And a view from the open air party room in our neighborhood that was great – surrounded by warm, sunny palm trees. Some things I learned…the cake cutting is a big deal (think wedding), they don't open the presents there, and usually the food is last up at an Indian party (you party, then eat and leave) versus the US style, eat immediately upon arrival, then party… leaving time is ambiguous. Apparently most parties are clear within a half hour after the food. Interesting and I kind of like it.

Then we got to move into our new house. It felt good to be “home” (with the suitcase full of furnishings anyway) and I’ll attach the string of pictures right after this, with commentary. We had dinner (steak BBQ – see previous note about not losing weight) with Tracy’s family and her visiting parents. It was a lot of fun to have a good BBQ at the neighbors right away and the kids seemed to get along really well.

So, all day up and up – what an awesome place. Ah, but all rollercoaster start with up...it was a rough night (see disclaimer now). Caden had fallen asleep before we left, so we carried him home and slipped him into bed. Then collapsed into our bed – ouch. It is about four inches thick with the give of a wooden table. The sheets we brought had enough fabric but the shape didn’t work out well, so the “top” sheet was on the bottom, and we were trying to use the “bottom” sheet on top. Our pillows went air freight, so we were using towels as impromptu pillows. We are apparently directly under a flight path that is traveled all night long. Rough night sleep (on a bright note, I expect this will be rectified soon as I packed foam mattress toppers thanks to several heads-ups on this one, and the pillows and additional sheets will also be found soon; and one easily grows accustomed to noises).
Still, tossed a lot, and Caden woke up at 4am again and wanted into our room. This seemed reasonable. He wanted water – again, good idea. I clamor downstairs through the ceramic house to get bottled water. Caden drinks it all and wants more. No problem, again through the house I go and sink, no gently place myself, back in bed. Caden curls right up onto my chest and says “my belly hurts…” BARF – not to get graphic, but something like four gallons of water-volumized vomit all over, mainly, me. Mmmm. Ok, this is not good. Let’s get cleaned up. We go into the bathroom and flip every switch and valve to try to figure out the combination that might get the contraption in the bathroom to yield hot water. No luck after five minutes standing covered in puke. Ok Caden, let’s get brave and take the most icy frigid shower imaginable to rinse the barf off (they don’t serve beverages this cold so where they get this water from I don’t know). Of course, we only have one set of sheets. I get Caden back into bed – me and him and a spider man sleeping bag. He barfs again – twice. I’m now sure I am the worst mother possible and have recklessly endangered his life and am being punished his first night in our new house. He’s also riddled with mosquito bites and Wade is sure it’s malaria. We review the travel clinics’ folder of information and WHO printouts. Malaria takes at least 8 days to incubate. Caden barfs again. He looks up at me limply and says: “I had four garfers, I must be really sick.” (How are they so cute, even with barf on their chins?) We decide to give Caden the Cipro now. Wade starts laundry in our new pint-sized washing machine so we can hang dry the sheets in time for tomorrow afternoon. I lay in bed with Caden, contemplating modern medicine and food safety… the power goes out.

A DISCLAIMER - PLEASE READ

Ok, before I go any further, just want to point out a few things:

• I have been in India less than three days, and will likely at no point be an expert or even fluent in culture or customs. The following are just my impressions, which will sometimes be expressed as sweeping generalizations and will sometimes be patently inaccurate.
• I am spoiled and sheltered, and highly accustomed to my pampered existence in lovely (if cold) Minnesota. Clearly this will color my worldview, and the tone of some of the above impressions.
• The express purpose of this blog is personal – a way to communicate efficiently with my family and friends and chronicle our stay in Bangalore so that I can print and scrapbook it after we return.
• I do understand I’ve chosen to post this “personal diary” on the internet. Hence, the perceived need for the above disclaimer.

Please read all that follows with the above in mind.