House

Got keys today !!!! Yay!!!

Also discovered an excellent restaurant on Wood Rd-- Olive Beach. Best food so far in Bangalore. Good wine too.

Hope to be staying in the house by Friday.

AutoRickshaw

Today there was a general strike by bus and lorry drivers. Our driver was told by his company not to drive today, so I had to find "alternate forms of transportation". I took one of the Auto's. I had thought they would be included in the strike as that is what I understood from the newspaper, but they were out in force I discovered (only after agreeing to an outrageous fare of 100RS from the apartment to the office. More on fares here . The trip was fairly uneventful, other than getting bounced all over the place. On the way home I had to find an auto on MG road. The going fare seemed to be 80RS, even though on the meter it is probably only 60, they just won't go for that with a westerner, or I cannot negotiate correctly. This guy was going downhill a fair bit of the way and was a speed demon. I was just glad no-one stepped out in front of us on the one clear(downhill) stretch of road as we were probably going 40-50 kilometers an hour and I'm sure his brakes wouldn't have stopped us that fast. But I made it home safe and sound, except for all of the exhaust I had to breathe in during the trip, god that was awful.

Tid Bits

First off, I thought I'd put in the location of my work and general location of our new house.
Maya found my work on Google earth. On the map, don't look for the green dot, Google marks it wrong. But you can find SN Towers. That is the location. On the picture to the right, you can see the stickpin.

My office is on the 9th floor. The ground floor is '0' and then the next floor up is 'P', and the '1' so in the mornings when I get my exercise by walking up, I actually have to go up 10 floors of steps to get to the office. Since we get driven almost everywhere and the sidewalks are atrocious, I decided for now, until I can get in a routine to actually get some real exercise soon, I will walk up each morning while it is still cool. I wonder what the guards think of me as they see me go by each floor in the mornings. They always watch me closely-- I guess it is unusual, and I do stick out a bit. There are 2 elevators, they seem to operate fairly well, although there are prominent notices about what to do in the event of a power loss. Top of the list is "Do not panic". Second on the list, is that the ventilation will keep working and you won't suffocate. Good thing that, given the frequency of 'power cuts' here in Bangalore. When you get in the elevator, you immediately notice a stool underneath the buttons. Sometimes there is a man sitting on it. I was confused about why he was there and I was told he is the elevator operator. Now the reason I was confused is that half the time he will just sit there reading a paper and people push the buttons themselves. Tough job I guess. Better yet, he is not there all the time. And his absences are randomly timed, not at any specific times I can figure out. Or maybe I should say his presence is randomly timed. You would think that maybe he would be useful when people are showing up to work or at lunch when the elevators get busy, but no, there is no correlation. So again being confused I asked another co-worker. She said, well I guess he has figured out that we can push the button ourselves, so he takes breaks when he feels like it. Ok, but then why do we need an operator at all??? I have been having trouble getting work done at work, since getting a hookup at my desk for either of my computers. Cindy suggested I should threaten to take on the Elevator Operator's job till I could get access, I guess I'm just not sure I could stand so many breaks...

Our house is in RMV IInd stage.
I'm not going to locate it on the map for you, safety reasons with a young teenage girl in the house. Generally if you look for outer Ring Road and New BEL road, you'll get the general location where we are located. Friends and family can ask for a map or picture from me by email.

Furniture
Yesterday we finally went looking for furniture. It was an experience like no other. We met Rohit close by to the market (at the FRO), and then followed him to Russell market (
View Larger Map ) area where we found Adams Furnishings. We went into a small shop, and went all the way to the back. There we met a gentleman who was sitting behind an old metal desk with 2 ancient, dusty, computer monitors on his desk. We were introduced and he asked what we wanted, he started off with "washer, fridge, microwave-no?". We said yes, and then listed off what we need to get situated. He said, "ok, ok, ok" and we then followed him out of the shop, next door and up some steps. You could see the 6 generators at the front, looking like they had just been dropped off and piled there. In we went, it was a small room, probably 30 by 30, and it was jam packed with appliances, washers, fridges, microwaves, ovens, cooktops, TVs, dvd players, and even stereo systems, all used. We picked out some-- no chance to check if they work, but he guarantees them and if they don't work, we can exchange, "no problem". He offered us a toaster, mixer grinder, and even a juicer, we didn't take the juicer. I didn't see anyone writing anything down, but there were several men in the store taking note of what we chose. Now on to a second warehouse, up the street and around the corner. I do wish I had taken a couple of pictures, as the array of goods for sale, number of people and the narrowness of the street with cars still driving down the middle, fighting with the foot traffic, bicycles etc. was right out of a movie scene market set... Anyways we got to the second warehouse, this was larger. Beds, couches, tables etc. We found a few items. Much of what he had there was "antique". More older heavy Indian style. Some of it very nice, some not so, but not much would fit the style of the house. So on to a third warehouse, this time we had to go back and get the car, it was further away. There we found things piled 3 and 4 high (imagine tables stacked 3 high, on top of a bed set, or beds with couches with chairs on top). So we chose a couch, which was terribly stained, but he promised to recover it by Tuesday if we needed, all we had to do was choose the fabric. We decided to tell him to use same colors, which will fit the house. We found beds, chairs/dining table, bookshelves, couches, small table for by the door, nightstands. It all needed to be spiffed up and delivered. We'll see how that goes. He is supposed to send us a quote for the rental and we'll finalize the negotiation Monday. So, I'll let you know what shows up to the house later.

Today
I got a haircut and beard trim. I wasn't brave enough to try one of the local barbers along the street outside the apartments. I'll do that when we have moved into our house. I went to a salon in the mall. 450 INR for haircut and trim, not bad. Cindy even likes it, I think. We did a bit of shopping, mostly school things for Anna, but we also got a sim card for Cindy to use temporarily, it will probably become Anna's if my source at work comes through with one for Cindy.

We're legal now

Not much to tell today. It was pretty un-eventful. Even the trip back to the FRO went smoothly. I got our Residence Permits, so I guess that makes it official, we can stay a while (well at least till 20 Dec when our visa's and permits run out.)

I also heard that our lease got signed, but I haven't seen proof yet.

Tomorrow is a harvest day celebration--no I don't know the name, I should--so everyone has the day off. Well mostly everyone. I'll be working from home because Finland doesn't understand Indian Holidays that well, but the driver will have the day off, and we don't know if the "house boy" will come or not. He was late today due to a cold, so I had to cook my own breakfast(gasp!!), Anna ate a slice of bread, and Cindy had breakfast at her lecture on Hindu Festivals. Funny thing is that now for 3 days in a row, someone has come by in the afternoon/evening for Babu, I guess he is supposed to pay the Cable bill, but he is only here in the mornings. And they collect in the evenings... We are supposed to tell him to pay the bill.

I am really enjoying the food, and people. The traffic doesn't bother me too much when the driver is ok. Weather has been pleasant, but definitely it is warming up already. I also got my Indian mobile number today, so next we need to get one for Cindy.

I am tired of sitting in front of the computer today though, so I'll sign off here.

Patience

The first week in Bangalore has gone by. If I had to sum it up in one word it would be patience. I think that will be my task while here, learning to have more patience. On Monday we met with the coordinator who is arranging much of our stay here, Murali. He said we could go to the FRO (Foreign Registration Office I think) on Tue afternoon, when I had commitments at work. So we rescheduled for Friday afternoon--ok, but it delays our residency permit by a few days. Murali then had a phrase which I think typifies India-- Hurry, but slowly...

Tuesday in the morning we took Anna to the school in the morning, about a 45 minute trip across town from our temporary flat. We found out that the school which was started not too long ago had undergone major changes-- the original founder had fled the country with all of the money taken in at the beginning of the year. As it turned out, the owners of the building where the school was located decided to take pity on the school and took it over. It got a new name, new administrator, new head of curriculum, but most of the students and teachers stayed on. So we decided that Anna would still go to the Trio World School. In the afternoon I went to work and met with HR, and found my assigned desk. Everything moved slowly-- getting a cell phone would happen by Friday, then Friday I learned it would be Wednesday due to the holiday on Tuesday. My desk is in the corner-- a manager's cube, with a phone, but due to internal issues with the merger, my laptop has no connection to the intranet from my desk. I have to go to another floor to get connectivity. I am supposed to get a new laptop, but IT needed something from HR. That may come on Monday. Patience, Bryan Patience. It will have connectivity to the intranet, but not to my mail or any of my ex-Nokia tools as this is an ex-Siemens site and the internal merge is not complete yet....

Wed & Thur. were pretty average, meetings with everyone local and in China and Finland. At least there is more overlap between the time zones.

Friday we had a new driver. The original one was wonderful!! Very friendly, very good driver. Anna even mentioned that she liked him because he uses turn signals. BUT, he lives to the south of the city, and we will be in the north. This is too far for him to commute 6(7) days a week. Our driver is on call 8am-8pm, 6 days a week, and we can ask for overtime on Sundays or evenings if we need. Oh well, he would have been wonderful, but we could not ask for him to add 2 hours more each day to his commute.
So we got a new driver. The day the car showed up with the new driver, there was a scratch on the side of the car. It was brand new when we arrived in India, and had been getting it's registration the previous 2 days, plus tinted windows and a radio. On the second day(Saturday) there was a big dent in the front of the car. Later on the way home he got in a second accident, luckily in the same spot, but now the front headlight is damaged. He doesn't like to have the side mirrors out--they stick out too far. In my opinion, if he used them he would see more, and if he had to keep room for them, he would be a safer driver. He brakes very suddenly, and honks incessantly, even by Bangalore standards. Let's hope we can get someone else as this is he first driver I felt uncomfortable sitting in the car with.

Back to Friday. The day went fairly uneventfully till around 2pm. I had met my Murali on Thursday and he asked if I was adventurous enough to ride on the back of a scooter, then Rohith would pick me up and we could meet Cindy at the FRO. As it turns out he didn't really mean it, at 3 pm I get a call from him on Cindy's phone that he is going to send the car for me (with Cindy and Anna). I am waiting on the street-corner so they can find me and I can get in the car easily. There is such a racket that I cannot even hear my phone ring and have to put the ear-piece in to just hear the rings. I get 3 calls while waiting (more than I got all morning). Luckily I do manage to take the call from Cindy--the driver cannot easily get to my office for some reason, so I have to hoof it down the street to meet them.

Eventually we get to the FRO at about 3:45. First thing we do is wait for Rohith. He shows up, and we have to wait while he stands in line to talk to what looks like someone who checks that all the paperwork is there. 5-10 mins later, he comes back, now we need to follow him to another office. We exit the building and go around the corner. We have to be there so the person who is validating our paperwork can verify we are actually present in India. They have our passports, photos, and a sheaf of papers already. The building looks like it was built at least 50 years ago, and hasn't been painted since. The walls are grimy where people have touched them while standing or going around the corner. There are plackards on the wall with instructions of all of the paperwork necessary for each kind of applicant, sorry I should have gotten a photo, but they were fun to read, but confusing. Ok so back to waiting again. The person we are to see is not in the office. 10 mins later he shows up. Rohith is standing in line. He is second. The first person has a stack of about 10 dossiers to be signed. The Asst. Commissioner of Police as we figure out, is signing some stamps on each one, he doesn't even seem to be reading what they are.

So our paperwork is next. Rohit hands him the 3 stacks, the Assistant Commissioner signs each of our documents (in addition to the 6 or 7 signatures already there). I don't think he even looked to see if we were there. Now we go back to the first office. We sit down while Rohith stands in line at the counter-- he turns in our paperwork and joins us sitting in the lobby.

While sitting there waiting Rohith explains that we will have to do this all over in a year as our visas are only good till Dec. If we want, we can submit our passports for extensions while there, but it is a 3 month process. If we want to do it faster and keep our passports, we can go to the US and re-apply for visas (a one day process).

10 mins later he is called up, and Cindy and I have to join him so we can sign yet another paper and we are given receipts and our passports back--except for Anna's. I guess we get residency papers and since she is a minor, she gets a stamp in her passport--this is India.
While we are standing there waiting to sign our papers, there is a gentleman waiting next to us to get his Residency Permits. He is told to sign on the receipt form that he got it. There is no designated space, but there is a box for comments. He asks the man behind the counter whether he should sign in the box, or where to sign? The gentleman behind the counter says "This is India, sign anywhere". Yup, this is India. Anyways we have to go back on Monday to pick up our permits. Then we'll be all legal, at least for a year.

Saturday, aside from getting in traffic accidents, we went to the house again to check which curtains, colors and sizes we need to get. We don't want to be in a fish bowl the first few days we are there. Now we need to figure out what furniture we want, and how/if we can rent instead of buying it. We went to a local mall close to the house, for lunch, and to look at curtains. We also found a good bread shop (well Cindy actually found it the day before) but we all went there, Cindy had a coffee and Anna a real croissant. Then home (accident) and we had planned to go out locally for dinner, but decided to order in instead. Cindy got a lovely Indian Curry. I tried a European style pasta dish. It was pretty good, but definitely had an Indian spin on it. More spicy, and different spices than you would expect for an "Italian" dish. Anna ordered Chow Mein. When she opened it up, her fist comment was "it looks like swamp water". She didn't eat much of it, she complained it was too bland and too salty--Ok, ok a bit of a contradiction, but you get the picture. I called the driver to tell him we were not using the car and he could go home. He told me he was waiting in the parking lot. I had to try to explain 3 times in different ways that he could go home and come back on Sunday. Yet another reason to get a different driver.

Cindy and I are going to brave the driver again today (Sunday) to go to an Expat Brunch. More about that later.

Home Sweet Home

Well, today we thought we were going to get our residence permits, but that has been postponed to Friday/Saturday. We apply on Friday and get them on Saturday. In the mean time today we negotiated the lease on our house.
The interior doesn't show too well in these pictures, I will try to get some better ones later.
It does have solar hot water-- doing our part!!
Now all we need to do is get curtains and furnshings...
There are a few more pictures on my Flickr acct.

Bangalore Ho!!

That fateful day finally came. On the 2nd, after a very chaotic week of trying to get the house empty of our stuff, cleaning, sorting out the things we needed to take, and the tasks we needed to complete before leaving, we finally boarded the plane. Nine suitcases, two cat kennels, and many tears later we eventually managed to extract ourselves from the arms of our tearful retinue who showed up at the airport to see us off. It was truly very nice to have everyone (Conner, Ariel, Isha, Dan, Hannah, Ankie and Maya) all there to wish us a good trip.

We survived the 24 hours of traveling fairly well, although the cats were somewhat traumatized by the trip. We had no trouble retrieving them at the airport, no-one even looked at all the paperwork Cindy had so carefully collected to ensure safe arrival in India. We had probably 10 people helping with our bag retrieval and collection to the waiting cars. Luckily I had arranged for 2 cars, there is no way we could have gotten it all in one. We arrived at the apartment about 3 am on the 4th (our bags were almost last to come off), and settled in. We let the cats out of their kennels, and they immediately found a hole in the bottom of the couch and hid for a day there. Ashley came out by herself, but we had to extract Benny. They are now ensconced in Anna's bedroom and appear to be acclimating to a new environment well.

Yesterday(Friday), after about 4 hours sleep, we went house hunting . We saw 7 houses, of which one we liked pretty well and another is ok. The one we liked has a really nice interior design, but is devoid of any furniture and is still to be completed. It also has significant construction going on next door. The other one is further from Anna's school, and from my work (at Sobha Malachite). We still have to decide if we will go look at apartments today.

All in all things are progressing. We have to go Monday to take care of paperwork (i.e. residency permits), and work starts in earnest on Tuesday.
That's all for now.