How to Use an Indian Toilet

This is too funny, but also good knowledge to have.  I have been holding it until I could find western toilets with toilet paper, not always an easy task.  :)

How to use an Indian toilet

Work Retreat at Mount Abu

Lucky me got to attend a weekend work retreat after my first week on the job.  At first I groaned.  Sounds like a lame way to waste a precious weekend, right?  Well, I was totally wrong.  First of all, it was a great way to get to know my new colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere.  Second, Mt. Abu was beautiful.  Third, it was in the state of Rajasthan, where alcohol is legal - yippee!

The 5 hour bus ride quickly led me to understand that this would be a fun visit.  We had a blast in the back playing charades.  Granted, I didn't know half the movies that were acted out because they were bollywood films.  I didn't catch the answers to most of the other half because the were yelling out the answers in hindi.  But I had a good laugh anyway at the guys (poorly) trying to act out the clues, and they tried to include me as much as possible.

We had a short meeting in the hotel, followed by free time for sight seeing.  Supriya and I went to a beautiful Jain temple with amazing marble carvings, to a lake, browsed small shops, then to sunset point.  We took a ride in a wheelbarrow up to sunset point for 50 rupees.  The walk would not have been difficult, but it seemed like a funny thing to do...

 

Guns for sale, right on the street!

Lake

American Sweet Corn

My wheelbarrow ride

Sunset Point

That night we had a party at the hotel.  I've never seen anyone dance like I saw my coworkers dance.  Even without alcohol, they were getting crazy on the dancefloor, nerdy ones and all.  And best of all, it was guy-on-guy dancing!  They are not gay (as far as I know), that is just how they dance here, since girl-guy bumping and grinding is not socially acceptable...  I really had a blast and now I feel that I know my coworkers much better.

 

On the bus ride down the mountain

Monkeys!

My 'Hood

Just pictures for this post.  My new neighborhood:  Vastrapur.

 My Society

Fresh fruits and veggie stands

My building on the left in background

My New Flat

Here are some pictures of my new flat.  It is actually in Vastrapur, not Bodakdev (for those of you familiar with Ahmedabad).  It is a 3 bed, 2 bath with a balcony.  Much too big for me.  The building looks like it is about to crumble, and the neighborhood seems a little rundown late at night.  However, the inside of the flat is nicely renovated.  The neighborhood is very lively during the day and evening.  When the storefronts are open and the signs are lit up, it is a really great area with lots of small shops, restaurants, street food, and a park.  There is a college right nearby, and one area seems to attract hoards of students on motorcycles.  It is certainly not the upscale Prahlad Nagar with new high-end stores, but it is more of the experience that I was hoping for.  I can always hop in an auto to get my shopping fix, but I need to eat and walk around every day – and I’d rather do that here in Vastrapur.

I took my first “Indian bath”.  My bathroom has a small water heater, but not attached to the shower.  So what people do is fill a big bucket with hot water, then use a scoop to pour over their head.  I have seen people do this, it is a normal thing, but I never imagined that I’d have to do it!  For 2 days I took cold showers, then broke down and tried it.  It is actually a great way to bathe!  Who would have thought?  When it gets to be summer, I’ll probably opt for the cold shower instead.

I did decide to hire a maid to clean my floors and bathroom.  That is very weird for me.  But it gets so dusty, and this place is big, so it is a good idea.  I will not hire a cook though, that is just going too far!

Views from my balcony

My friend Vipin helped me shop and taught me all about living here

Kitchen and nook for laundry and cleaning area

My bedroom

Bought a nice little sound system

Spare bedroom

I’ll post pics of the neighborhood in the next few days.

Then my next posts will be about work and food.  J