Our pictures have been hung on the walls with some care, with the hopes that a visitor (or two or three) will soon be here. We had our first visitor here last week and it was a treat. We knew she was coming, even before we left for our move. It was a wonderful gem to look forward to as we tried to settle in to our new home, new life, new routines.
Our flat here in Delhi is by no means of equivalent proportions to the home we left back in the states. It has ten foot ceilings, a bathroom to EVERY bedroom (four), the dining room alone has more floor space than our master bedroom had in the US, and that master bedroom was rather adequate. We have enjoyed such luxuries of living in Delhi. Coupled with the fact that it is really hard to function without staff.
We have 24 hour guards that were in place before we even moved here. We live in a multi-family structure and the guards came with the address, which was fine by us, we enjoy their presence. We managed to hire a woman to do the "all around" work for the family. She does the clean up, laundry, shopping when I ask her, she even cooks as long as it is an Indian or familiar dish. She has been my personal trainer about the culture of India, my personal assistant as I try to get out the door or do a project, she meets the kids at the stop when they take the bus, the title "all arounder" doesn't seem to encompass all she does for this family (mainly me).
We also managed to hire a driver. We are still renting a car, and when that first started a driver came with the car. We had a few issues with the rental driver that really came to blows when he neglected to come to work or call the ONE morning we had our first child leaving on a school trip to Chennai. We were looking for excuses to sever that portion of the rental agreement and just hire a driver we chose ourselves so this mishap made for as good a reason as any other. Through interviews and referrals mister and I selected what has turned into a great match for us as well. He drives in a way that we are all comfortable, he is punctual and more than willing to work an extra hour or more of over time.
Even the location of our home has turned into a blessing for us. We wanted to be close to the school, walking distance was what we searched and hoped for. Unfortunately nothing that met our needs was within walking distance and the bus is the only option unless the kids take the car and driver, which they do often. But we have met our neighbors inside our building and on our street and we have a great area, great neighbors and great friends here already.
Now the only thing that could be missing is YOU. We need to schedule our visitors and we would love to pencil you in for a time. Please drop us an email and let us know when you think you might have a chance to spend some time in Delhi India. We would love to see you!
Our flat here in Delhi is by no means of equivalent proportions to the home we left back in the states. It has ten foot ceilings, a bathroom to EVERY bedroom (four), the dining room alone has more floor space than our master bedroom had in the US, and that master bedroom was rather adequate. We have enjoyed such luxuries of living in Delhi. Coupled with the fact that it is really hard to function without staff.
We also managed to hire a driver. We are still renting a car, and when that first started a driver came with the car. We had a few issues with the rental driver that really came to blows when he neglected to come to work or call the ONE morning we had our first child leaving on a school trip to Chennai. We were looking for excuses to sever that portion of the rental agreement and just hire a driver we chose ourselves so this mishap made for as good a reason as any other. Through interviews and referrals mister and I selected what has turned into a great match for us as well. He drives in a way that we are all comfortable, he is punctual and more than willing to work an extra hour or more of over time.
Even the location of our home has turned into a blessing for us. We wanted to be close to the school, walking distance was what we searched and hoped for. Unfortunately nothing that met our needs was within walking distance and the bus is the only option unless the kids take the car and driver, which they do often. But we have met our neighbors inside our building and on our street and we have a great area, great neighbors and great friends here already.
Now the only thing that could be missing is YOU. We need to schedule our visitors and we would love to pencil you in for a time. Please drop us an email and let us know when you think you might have a chance to spend some time in Delhi India. We would love to see you!
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