November 2008 - Posts - The Expat Blog

November 2008 - Posts

Book Sunday in Old Delhi

Posted by Ayeshea Perera at 
A visit to Old Delhi is a definite must for a number of reasons. Firstly for the almost other worldly sensation you get when you enter. Amidst 16th century Mughal architecture - fort walls, arches, the Jamma Masjid (which are worth visits on their own) lie narrow streets and shop fronts, teeming with people and cycle rickshaws - making you forget that...

More>>

When Honk OK Please Isn't OK

Posted by Melissa A. Bell at 
This Sunday, my goal was to stay in bed for the entire day and read a book about dragons. I know. I have lofty goals. Unfortunately, my cruel, heartless neighbors seemed to have missed the memo: by 8:30 a.m. the house behind me, the house next to me and the house just down the road were all busy hives of worker bees hammering bricks, breaking apart...

More>>

Hindi for Delhi

Posted by Ayeshea Perera at 
"Do you know any Hindi?" my friend asked me when I announced that I had got a job in Delhi and intended taking it. "No" I replied breezily, "but if I can survive Chennai without knowing any Tamil"... I walked away from that conversation a trifle testily because I didn't like the manic way he laughed. But four months...

More>>

Dye job.

Posted by Melissa A. Bell at 
You know, this blog pains me for a few reasons. Not the least of which is that my bosses obviously think a firangai is only capable of blogging on being an outsider. But the main reason is because I like secrets. Secrets give me power. I know the cool spot and you don't! I've suffered through three horrible summers to find the best swimming...

More>>

Food for thought

Posted by Ayeshea Perera at 
Anyone will tell you that it is difference that excites the expat. (not always in a good way, but still). The whole look and feel of a new city with all its differences really do make you realize that you're SOMEWHERE ELSE and the whole world really IS different to what you have always been used to. I mean sure, you know it because you read books...

More>>

The Great Indian Novel

Posted by Melissa A. Bell at 
Upon my announcement that I was leaving for India, four people promptly gifted me Holy Cow! by Sarah MacDonald. Now, living with a guilt-ridden concious, I felt obliged to read the book. MacDonald comes across as a cheery, breezy, likable girl, who employs every possible expat cliche about India. But I didn't very much like her India. And I suspect...

More>>

I feel pretty, oh so pretty, oh so pretty and witty and gay!

Posted by Melissa A. Bell at 
I just had my very first real Girl Day at the Salon. Men, you can stop reading immediately (even though, secretly you're jealous). I grew up a bit of a tomboy (In fact, upon leaving the salon today, my girl friend turned to me and said, "You finally look like a girl!"). Still, there was always this idea in the back of my head that I wouldn't...

More>>

Settling in Delhi: 1

Posted by Ayeshea Perera at 
This show talks you through finding a house through brokers and on the Internet, how to negotiate house leases and most importantly how to deal with landlords! Mel, Mitra and Aruna (who are now veteran expats) share some of their experiences in looking for homes and share some lessons they learned along the way. On this show we also feature the brokers...

More>>

I am Expat

Posted by Ayeshea Perera at 
Delhi can be intimidating to the uninitiated. It's large, it's busy, it's crowded, it's noisy... and the sheer variety can overwhelm you. And all the more so if you happen to have just moved in from another country. The questions seem endless ... how to find a house? How to choose a neighbourhood to live in? Where do you buy inexpensive...

More>>