The Expat Blog

Monumental Moments: Delhi in Threes

Posted by Ayeshea Perera at 
In this week's Expat show ( Listen now ) we try our hands at the "Lists" that everyone seems to enjoy making at the beginning of a new year. We look at our personal "Top 3" moments in Delhi - the good, the bad and the downright embarrassing! Here they are in no particular order - but as always, they are much funnier to listen...

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a top ten list for 2008

Posted by Aruna Viswanatha at 
Normal 0 In the spirit of the holiday season and year-end top ten lists, I thought I should do one of my own. I came to India last December, so the timing seemed right to reflect on reaching the one-year mark, with my top 10 best and worst moments of being an expat in Delhi. While creating this list, I realized that most of the bad times are the ones...

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An ode to the Delhi Metro

Posted by Ayeshea Perera at 
Merry belated Christmas! And a belated birthday wish to the Delhi metro! Yes.. that infrastructural wonder, which I have loved from my very first trip celebrated its Sixth anniversary of official public operations (from Shahradha - Tis Hazari) on December 25th. The metro has been such an intrinsic part of my experience in Delhi that I can't really...

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War of words (a.k.a. Letting your inner racist shine on Yuni-net)

Posted by Melissa A. Bell at 
I started this posting prior to the Mumbai attacks. And after they happened, I stopped working on the post, because it felt strange teasing strangers about their shortcomings. But I realize we probably need to seize this minute to address our failings, before we slip back into cynical antipathy. So many of today’s issues arise from the hyper fast pace...

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Delhi street eats!

Posted by Ayeshea Perera at 
There is a theory that the personality of a city is reflected in its food. I don't know who first said it and how he/she proved it - but in the case of street food and Delhi, it is very very true. Delhi's street food is insanely diverse - coming in all sorts of forms, colours and tastes - much like its occupants. And again like its occupants...

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The shortest distance between two people

Posted by Melissa A. Bell at 
Apologies for my absence. It's been a strange week—tormented and confused for all of us. Though I escaped far, far luckier than many people—for me, the week has brought back particularly painful memories. On September 11, 2001 I was living in New York. And on that beautiful, blue morning, as I ran away from the falling towers, I knew, for the most...

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US issues new advisory on India

Posted by Ayeshea Perera at 
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens about heightened security concerns in India, and advises U.S. citizens traveling to or already in India to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This replaces the Travel Alert issued on November 29 and expires on January 5, 2009, advises U.S...

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The expats guide to the galaxy (ok setting up home in Delhi!)

Posted by Ayeshea Perera at 
On todays show, we give you our take on what you need to set up house in Delhi and most importantly, where to get it. We mention a number of places on the blog which we will now give you (with google maps... of course for detailed directions etc. you should check out the website yourself For Electrical Appliances * Frigo's - in Jor bagh market ...

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Terror choices?

Posted by Ayeshea Perera at 
Ever since the Mumbai terror attacks, I have had a number of calls from concerned friends and family members asking me if I were sure I wanted to stay in India. Now coming from a city that has had more than its fair share of bomb attacks, my initial reaction was amusement. I have friends who have lost parents in bomb attacks, have sat in a blacked out...

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U.S. issues advisory on India

Posted by Ayeshea Perera at 
The US department of State has warned citizens to increase vigilance to citizens who are traveling to or already in India. It issued the following advisory dated November 29: The Department of State warns U.S. citizens about heightened security concerns in India, and advises U.S. citizens traveling to or already in India to maintain a high level of...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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