The Journey Continues

Update on my move to Chennai

 The movers have finally delivered my stuff and I have moved in to my apartment. Many challenges existed since this apartment was not lived in since being built about 8-10 months ago- but they are all slowly being remedied.

 I got to sleep on my very own bed, soft, pillow top luxury that I had to do without for a month! It was so good, that I really did not want to get out of bed. The pigeons outside my window will be my alarm clock I guess, since they start cooing about the time the sun starts peeking out in the sky! My bedroom window is toward the north-east- so the light starts streaming in quite early. My address is below each email in case you did not notice! Apparently Saligramam is the choice of many of Tamil film stars and so tends to be a bit more expensive living- I guess I found out that a bit too late in the game! I can see the swimming pool from my balcony- there is also a gym and fitness centre in the next building from mine. No more excuses for me!

 I won't have pictures for you for a while- I need to put things in place- then get my terrace garden started etc.

 I bought a new car- Nissan Micra- diesel version (small car) and of course, I can't drive it since it is a stick shift and I'd have to be crazy to figure out the maniacal driving system in Chennai or India for that matter- so now I am checking out potential drivers- 2 have been referred to me and I will make a decision later this week. I would expect to pay about $250/month for a driver who will be on duty from 9.00 a.m.-7.00 p.m. When I need to go out of town, I would pay an additional per diem of $5/day. I am also negotiating for a maid to clean my home- daily for about 3 hours to sweep and dust all rooms, mop, wash dishes, do some vegetable shopping etc. for about $90/month with Sundays off.

Most of the work has been done in the apartment- in terms of installing air conditioners in all the rooms, hot water geysers in all three bathrooms, a new huge French door refrigerator that could not come up on the elevator and took an hour for 6 men to bring it to the 9th floor! I paid them $55 in total... God Bless India!!

The only thing that I am still trying to get is a gas cooking range- I had ordered one and they have delayed it for almost 2 weeks that I cancelled the order and looking to get it from an authorised dealer hopefully when I get back from Kolkata next week.

I have 2 huge trellises created out of bamboo that was hoisted up to the 9th floor terrace and will now get anchored onto the wall for my vines- I am hoping to find Rangoon Creeper and other fast growing vines. I am also getting a corrugated clear fiberglass roof installed just outside my door leading to the terrace- 17ftx16 ft which I will then add fabric below to give a tented feel. The guy will also add a ceiling fan so that we can sit out as well. I may look into the misters that Florida uses and see if I can get them the next time I am in the US.

I had mosquito netting added to all the windows as a precaution since I get bit a lot. I am told that mosquitoes don't fly to the 9th floor!! But they do know how to travel on an elevator!! Boy, insects are just getting smarter by the minute!! I have a battery operated zinger bat that I use to swat those pesky creatures- so far only one has shown up in this apartment and is now dead.

 The evening breeze is just great- literally no need for a fan if you keep the windows open. There are lots of young kids and teens in this complex- lots of energy around here and I even heard someone playing MJ's 'Beat it'!!

I got introduced to all the office staff today since my position has been announced- I will be the Global Director- Leadership Development/Diversity.

 I checked out the open vegetable mini market that operates daily in the evenings in my complex- they have a variety of veggies and fruits of the season- so you don't have to leave the complex to buy veggies. I understand that fresh fish just caught in the ocean is also available on Sundays opposite my complex- will need to check that out when I get back from Kolkata. I am actually enjoying chicken breasts since they are not pumped up like in the US- they are skinny fellows and taste quite good! I get to check out the meats and have the butcher chop it up the way I like- so no packaged meats and fish in the store that I go to.

 The only challenge right now is buying wine retail- apparently not possible in Chennai- so may need to go to the next state or the union territory of Pondicherry and check out possibilities. I ordered wine from The Wine Society of India and I paid $180 for 6 bottles of imported Portuguese, South African, French and Indian wines! So now I need to make friends with hoteliers to see if I can get some deals! 

 As you can see I am enjoying this experience so much- I had moments of doubt along the way when I was challenged by things not getting done as promised and all the delays etc- but those fleeting thoughts have been overtaken by the tremendous energy, authenticity and friendliness of folks around, making me more assured that my choice to return home was truly meant to be... Knowing the language has made this transition even better- I am able to get around and get things done when I speak Tamil.

 I think that I have given you enough for now- will keep you posted as I get started on my job- please continue to send positive thoughts my way