Growing Clouds

Clouds over St. Theresa Church along with same orange blossoms I had outside my window in Brasilia

Clouds have been growing in the skies over Mumbai. Makes me think the pre-monsoon showers may be on their way.

The monsoon's hit Kerala in the South. It usually arrives there in late May. Not this year.

It usually arrives in Mumbai on the day of the 8th Grade Celebration. Again, not this year.

From reading in the Times of India, the monsoon system stalled while out at sea. And not just for a day, it was stalled for much longer. Weeks.

Today, while I was riding in a taxi, I saw some men helping a rickshaw driver who's rick had stalled.  I'm just ready for somebody to push this system along in the same way they did.

Roses are Pink and My Apartment Doesn't Stink

When I arrived home from Singapore on Tuesday, I anticipated an adjustment to Mumbai.  As we left the airplane, the differences between India and elsewhere were instantaneous. 

After riding in the van and entering my building and riding in an elevator, further differences invaded my mind and bombarded my senses.  

I opened my apartment door expecting to be greeted by a wave of hot air and stench from being empty for 5 days. Another difference.

To my surprise it smelled like roses. I turned on the lights and found these.

Beautiful, pink, belated birthday roses from my housekeeper, Espe, who's back to work this week. One of the wonderful ways that India's different from elsewhere. I love some of the differences. 

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!

How you Doin' Mr. Motorcycle Guy?

It's been a long week.  A good week but a long week.

A wonderful, inspiring, kind writing consultant named Matt Glover has been working with the elementary teachers and I've gotten to tag along.  I'm growing as a conferrer.

A cold.  An upset stomach.  Grossness hit.

Every moment of each day's been busy.  Like warp speed from 7:30 - 5:30.

This isn't unique for anyone.  Really not at all. We've all had weeks like this.

Today I was feeling exhausted.  That point where you just wanna cry.

My shoulders were hunched (more than usual), my hair I knew had to be a fright and I think due to a fever I had most of the day I had that lovely pasty, pale glow.

I was waiting on the side of the road at 6:15.  It's hard to catch a rickshaw at that time of day.  A couple of ricks had stopped but said no to my destination.  Again, not atypical.

I was giving up hope.  Thinking I'd have to walk home and the day's weight would be even heavier.  The plan was to give it 5 more minutes and then I'd walk.

Then along rode a cute guy on his motorcycle.  He smiled and gave me the Joey Tribbiani, "how you doin'?" head nod.  You know the one.

I smile and shook my head. Was he serious?  I turned around to catch a second glimpse.  He did too.  I laughed.

Thanks Mr. Motorcycle Guy for the nod.  It was just what I needed and made all of the grossness, tiredness, and sickness melt away for a few minutes.    Well, that along with the rickshaw who pulled up right after you drove away and who finally brought me home.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Rickshaw Gods

Being new to Bandra and physically limited due to my silly ankle, I'm learning the area alongside the rickshaw drivers.  I rely on them. Each time I go out, it's like a Choose Your Adventure story.

 Here's your own Choose Your Adventure story.  I'm tossing you right into Bandra West.

You check the restaurant location one final time on the map.  You're heading to the Saltwater Cafe to meet your friends for a birthday dinner.  You put the map into your purse and leave the apartment building.  You hobble down the street to a location where you've seen many rickshaws.


One rickshaw stops as you wave but the driver doesn't recognize the street or hospital name (your landmark).  Two more ricks stop and the same response.   Eventually, a fourth rick pulls up.


The passenger exits.  He speaks English.  You tell him the address.  87 Chapel Road.  It's near Lalavati Hospital.  He speaks to the driver and tells him your destination.  The driver seems to understand.  He smiles at you.

1.  You choose to go with the driver, assuming he knows where Chapel Road is.
2.  You do not get into the rick and wait for another one who does know Chapel Road.


If you chose 1...
The driver thinks they know where they're going.  He pulls away but turns in the wrong direction.  He zooms through the market near your apartment. You tap him on the shoulder saying no.  Chapel Road.  


He pulls the rickshaw to a stop alongside a shop.  Both you and your driver both lean out of the rick asking people if they know a location in multiple languages.  You're reminded of the t.v. show Cash Cab.  Only your prize is your destination and there aren't any cool disco lights anywhere.  A gentleman stops.  He gives your driver  new directions and you pull away hopeful that you're on track now.


Twenty minutes later, you're still driving around.  The driver is lost again.  He stops and you both lean out a second time asking in each of your native languages for help.  A woman walks over and knows the restaurant.  She instructs the driver where to go. You drive away feeling confident, for now.


The driver starts to slow down.  You think this must be the stop.  He again leans about the window.  A gentleman walks up to the rick.  He speaks English and is carrying a Bible.  He tells you he'll take you to your destination.  Since you don't have change, he actually pays for your rick ride and starts to walk quickly with you down the uneven, wet sidewalk.  It's humid and you're sweating.  The time you spent on your hair and make-up have been lost as you're wet with sweat.  He turns into a pharmacy and asks for directions.  You wipe the sweat away and wonder if you'll ever make it to the birthday dinner.


The rickshaw gods have punished you.


If you chose 2.


 The first rick pulls over.  You say the hospital name.  Lalavati.  He looks at you.  You repeat it, trying to stretch out the word.  Still no recognition.  You say it a third time thinking of what sounds may be emphasized by others.  He knows your destination.  You step into the rick and sit back.  You lean down to catch glimpses out the sides of the rickshaw.  You're on your way to dinner and your friends and a well-deserved drink.


Here's what I've learned.  Perhaps next time you'll try one of these.
1.  You need to know the street to where you're headed.
2.  You need multiple landmarks, if possible, that the driver may be able to identify.
3.  Most likely you will need to repeat the street and or landmark a minimum of three times before the driver knows where they're headed or if they don't know where they're going.
4.  Be ready to say one street name first, such as Turner Road, followed by the intersecting road like Pali.
5.  Be prepared to hop out, pay the rick driver and try a new one.  The next driver may be a better one.

This really did happen to me on Friday night.  The gentleman who I met, invited me to his church, stopped at several other locations and eventually we walked right back to where we started.  The restaurant had been across the street from where he met me.  Seriously?

Here's to hoping the gods are with me for my next trip.