The dark side of living here...and I literally mean dark side is the common power outages that happen on my block. So far I've had a total of 10 hours of no power spread over three days this past weekend. Its been raining quite a bit so I am sure that is the cause of the power outages. That is troubling for me. I don't mind if its just 15 minutes to 1 hour of no power but 2, 3, or 4? Especially since I work from home in the evenings it is not very convenient. I am going to look into getting an 6-8 hour power inverter or a generator. I need to prepare myself for these things, which also reminds me that I need to get more candles. It always happens when I am at home of course. I never know what to do when the power goes out. The ironic part is someone asked me if I've experienced terrible power outages yet and for the last two weeks of living in this particular apartment I actually haven't. I believe that person jinxed me so from now on there will never be a mention of power outages here...okay? When something like this happens, if it's daytime then I usual read a book. But at night when there's not enough light from the candles I just sit there with Kylie and we'll play puppy games in the semi-darkness. Or I just reminisce about my 24 hour power supply back in the States and how this never happens there.
Just one of those days.... :)
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I spent the last 10 months in Bangalore, India working for an multinational company. I just returned to Portland, OR, USA on a transfer. I miss India but I am excited to be home. Life's adventures does not stop here though. I plan to have many more geo experiences like India. Let's see where I will go next.....
7 comments:
okay, then found you through google. i am from bangalore but currently existing on another planet. i'll try and drop a few tips on how to survive the dark ages.
first, get yourself one fine 'emergency torch'. it is a rechargeable battery powered light. it will be terribly useful. as you've been musing, get yourself a power-inverter - not very costly either. if you can afford get yourself an lcd-screen, it consumes less power (maybe you can keep this for later).
but if you really want it all the time and don't mind a - er, um - little noise, you can buy a little-genie generator (diesel) which will chug away like a tractor and power your dream(weaver). costs around 8-10K rupees and is worth the investment (if your landlord or neighbors don't mind). but heck, with a racket going on all the time, no one will mind.
i must also commend you on your courage. india is not for the faint of the heart, particularly when you're not from india. you'll see. oh, yes, precious. you will seeee!
if you are disappointed that not many are reading your blog, just wait. oh, yes. ghengiz khan's hordes will be invading any day, if you get what i mean /.
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[and guyz (mera india etc) get a life. india is home. my home. and i like my home no matter how bad.]
mentioned in the Times of India !! hmmm..
Expect to get 50,000 hits and hundreds of comments every day now :-D
Read about your blog from The Times of India. You are a one brave girl, setting a new trend , I hope..... Anyway, I was wondering how hard it was for you to get visa etc to work in India. I hope you didnt have to go through torturous experience akin to H1/L/O visas in the US (although bureaucracy in India is not much better compared to the US, if not worse). All the best.
I've read a lot of blogs by friends who are now living in the US, about their experiences, cultural differences...
It's really nice to read the other side of that story. I found your blog through the TOI article, and it was really interesting...
I guess the most important thing to do when you move to another country is to keep an open mind, take everything in your stride and enjoy the local culture...
good luck with the power outages and all... you should visit Bombay too... it's the most amazing city.. (and we don't have power outages in Bombay :)
saur
Here's my $0.02 to deal with power outages:-
1. Power inverters are a good idea, though they're a tad expensive. You can also get most stuff on monthly rent from the nearby electrical shop.
2. Emergency tubes/lamps are the best bet. Just plug it in and it'll automatically switch on when the power takes the weekend off. You can also get them real cheap if you risk the "Made in China" ones. Heck, they'll come with an inbuilt radio, clock, and TV (not kidding, i've seen one of these 10-in-1 thingys!)
3. Eat lots of carrots. This will enable you to read a book in candlelight ;-) (or, just buy a really big candle)
4. Enjoy the free sauna
Have fun! Just for the record, Delhi, Chennai etc. have much worse power cuts and the climate out there sucks to boot. Only Bombay has 24x7 power.
Well, Bombay has power outages too... I would not say it is 24x7 :-)
Try to learn meditation. So if the electricity vanishes in late evening when it is dark outside, go ahead with meditation :-)
Cecilia,
Take some precautionary steps:
1.) Install 'velcro' type mosquito nets for your windowns.
2.) Keep lots of torches handy
3.) Keep your telephone active or a cell phone - get one for cheap from Reliance or Airtel
4.) American Power Conversion is out with an inverter which lets a TV, fan, fridge fuction uninterruptedly when powercuts occur.
Remember - India is NOT for the faint hearted. The fact that you survived over two months itself and had some good experiences is amazing. Keep in touch with folks from your office - never hesistate to ask them for help.
You needs LOTS of patience and fortitude (esp as an american) to deal with India.
- Just some advice from a Bangalorean studying in Chicago.
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