It's Not Just Coffee, It's...

Starbucks!

The news is out in India and apparently in Illinois (according to my mom) that Starbucks is coming to India.

The Seattle Times says that between September - December of 2012 (only a mere 50 stores) with them opening in Mumbai (yes!) and Delhi.

For me, it's a little slice of home in a cup.  For India, however, it's a mix of emotions.  I read about the news last evening in a Times for India article.  People are weighing in on Starbucks' arrival.  They note the cost of a cup versus the poverty here, the globalization of brands like Starbucks, taking away business from Indian coffee chains, the weather (according to one person it's too hot in India for a large cup of coffee) and the youth using it as a status symbol.

Can't argue with some of the complaints and when I think about the U.S., we have some of the same issues but just not at nearly the extreme level as in India.

For me, I like Starbucks.  I've tried others here and just haven't been as happy here.  When I get a coffee, latte or cappuccino when I'm out, it's not that it's about Starbucks, it's just no place has delivered what I wanted.  Some of it is that I'm in a tea drinking nation so rather than complain, I sip my coffee with extra sugar, order some yummy masala chai (tea) or just make my coffee at home.

I'm looking forward to my first Starbucks in India and also for my next Starbucks shot as well.  Oh and as a friend said on Facebook, a new mug too.

Seattle Starbucks, the original outside Pike's Place Market

Oh the weather outside is...

Perfect!
Lovin' this Mumbai weather.  Sunsets on rooftops with friends.  Beautiful places with lovely people and a few drinks too.

Dome @ the Intercontinental

Lately the temps have been in the 80s during the days with wonderful breezes.  No humidity.  Then at night the temps drop into the 60s and 70s.  My kinda weather.  Trying to make sure I get out and enjoy it as much as possible.  

Definitely did last night.  

My Pad #2

Earlier this week and last I'd shared posts about water and my apartment.  I realized that I haven't shared an update and I've had a few inquiries so, here's the latest news with my pad.

1.  My geyser

School came and replaced the geyser which had crashed down earlier in the week.  I've got a new one but you may notice it's not quite in the same spot.  I'm sure there's a reason...  And more importantly I have warmish water again.

2.  My new desk

My apartment's is smaller than the one I had in Brazil and of course than the Goo's townhouse so I've been struggling with furniture arrangement.  This week I had a large table taken out because it was just too big and in its place I created the little office nook I wanted and needed.  I found a great console at Sanctum last weekend that I can see using here for a desk but in the future for another purpose.

3.  Curtains and Couch

No photos yet.  Tomorrow night I should (cross your fingers) have new curtain linings.  The couch fabric came in but was MUCH darker than what I ordered. Tomorrow night when the tailor comes to install my curtains, they're also bringing the couch fabric for me to check.  The shop I'm working with has had good customer service.  They've been helpful with the wrong fabric order and with helping to get the right plastic holders for the curtains.  I just need to remind myself to exercise a little patience, I can do that.

4.  Furniture rearrangements

I think I have pretty good design sense.  Thanks Mom for that.  With furniture and art arrangements, I also to like things a little askew or off.  I'm not a fan of straight lines so I play when I move things around.  Like my desk area.  You saw there are two pieces of furniture.  I spent 20 minutes playing with the angles and eventually found the option I liked best.  So, you can see the problem.  I've got ideas but I have to physically move everything inch by inch to get there.

I've been messing around a bit with layouts.  So, here are a couple of new ones for now.  I'm trying to bring more light into my place so I hope this new bed arrangement helps.

It used to look like this.

The living room is another problem for me.  We're gonna give this a try for a while.

It used to look like this.

I figure I'll try it out just to see which arrangement works better in the space.

So, that's the latest from my pad.  This week my goals include getting those curtains in, the couch recovered and visiting the framer to finally get some art on my walls.  Updates to come I'm sure.

Geyser, Geyser on the Wall...

why, oh why did you have to fall?

You can see the geyser's original location in the upper right corner on the wall.
Metal tubing, which you can see connecting the water supply knob to the filter, was also connected the geyser.
If I turn on the hot water now, I'll get a lovely spray all over the kitchen.  Think I'll settle for cold tonight.

At 4:00 today the geyser, aka hot water heater, came crashing down literally in my kitchen.  Luckily Espe was in the other room when it happened.

Apparently she heard a loud bang and walked into the kitchen where she found water spraying everywhere.  At first she didn't know what happened. Water was spraying on the ceiling, walls and floor. Then she saw the geyser in the sink. Luckily she was able to turn off the water and also the power as well without being electrocuted.   Talk about a day!

When I got home she was wet and upset but okay.  She was worried about my things while I was worried about her. Towels to the rescue.

Tomorrow  a new geyser's being installed.  Here's to hoping this one doesn't blow its top!

Curtain Call

Curtains have been a nemesis since I arrived in Mumbai.

When I moved in, I had these lovely orange sherbet curtains in each room.

Aren't they beautiful?

At least once a month I've done the shopping rounds looking for curtains.  Reality is, that I must be too picky. Surprise!  But the good news is that the curtain saga is coming to a close.

I found curtains for my bedroom while I was in the States over the holidays.  Beautiful green with lovely flowers.  

Then I found the white sheers I was dreaming last weekend at one of my favorite shops, called The Shop that just a few blocks from my house.  

This meant I could move the curtains I bought from bedroom #2 into the living room.  Yay!  

After figuring out the major stuff, the important things, I knew I needed to get fabric to go behind them that matched.  Espe had warned me that with the strong afternoon sun my apartment gets that they would fade unless I took precautions.  And as you all know, Espe knows best so I took her advice.

Tuesday, I went to Variety Fabric in Bandra Bazaar with Tiffany.  She was finishing up her fabric selections as well and wanted a second opinion on her choices.  Since I was there, I chose fabric as sunshades for bedroom #2 and the living room.  I also chose fabric to recover my couch.  

The two tailors came to my apartment Friday evening to take measurements.  They were helpful, kind and I was even able to do some negotiating. They gave me my quote which I was pleased with overall.  

Yesterday I went to Variety to put down my deposit.   While I waited for them to write up my quote, I snapped a couple of shots of the fabric shop.  There's fabric covering every inch of the place.   

Orders are in the blue bags waiting for pick-up.

So many possibilities.  

They even have a secret stash in a hatch below the store. 

Some of my fabric.

Wednesday I'll have my new curtains finished and couch recovered.  Once it's all done, I'll post pics.

Bye, Bye dreamsicle orange!