March 30, 2010

Well, Rahul's job took longer than expected and he learned that he would have to visit Moradabad today. I don't know where that's at. Last night we went out trying to find WiFi and dinner. By the time Rahul and Sid had reached the PG, it was 10pm and the only place that was open that had WiFi was Cafe Coffee Day. Unfortunately, their WiFi was not working either. So we went to a food court and had paranthas for dinner. I had one with potatoes in in. It was salty! I went through a coke, sweet lassi, and half a liter of water trying to choke down the first of four pieces of my paranthas. Rahul tried it then made Sid and Shweta try it and they all agreed it was unusually salty and demanded a new order. It was much better but I was so full from the lassi and water that we boxed it up to go.

All three have been giving me a hard time because I haven't been eating much and drinking loads of water. I'm not used to the heat and all I want is a cool liter of water and nothing heavy to eat. I had explained that several times but Shweta is determined to make me eat a lot. She eats a lot and weighs no more than a toothpick...lucky her! I don't have that metabolism and food makes me feel sick if I'm out in the heat.

Today Sid has Rahul's car so we could house hunt. Rahul had arranged several meetings with realtors in South Delhi and Noida. He was really upset that he couldn't come with us. I told him it would be okay but he said “No, I really want to be there.”

He's so concerned about me getting ripped off or scammed that he keeps forgetting that I have two (now seasoned) pros with me. He even is concerned about things which I wouldn't think were a big deal. For example, last night while out to dinner, I called up Dad to let him know where I'm at and what I'm doing. I had to step outside because the food court was too noisy. Rahul came out and told me to stand where I could be seen. I asked why and he said, “So I know you're alright.” This guy worries more about my safety than Mom. He said it's because he wants me to enjoy my trip and the best way to do that is to prevent anything from happening. So Mom, you don't need to worry; Rahul is doing enough for the both of you! If we're walking out in public and there are a lot of guys, he will grab me and pull me away from them or walk in front of me. I feel like I have a body guard and I know he means well.

This new PG is super nice. Uncle speaks English but sometimes I don't think he understands me. This morning he came into the room and said “Good Morning.”

So I said, “Hello.”

He repeated, “Good Morning” which I thought was just him repeating himself and that would be it. But then he shouted, “GOOD MORNING”

I replied, “Good Morning” and then he asked about sugar for my chai for breakfast.

They had made me parathas which were MUCH better than the ones from last night. Shweta said Aunty makes everything and she doesn't make it too spicy so it's always delicious.

I've uploaded pics of the PG. If it wasn't so far away from everything in Delhi, I'd want to stay here. It's reasonably priced and Aunty and Uncle are sweet.

Today was the first time I went to CP. Shweta and I took a taxi to Le Meridien Hotel to meet Sid who lives in the area and had to visit a temple today. Today was Hindu god, Hanuman's birthday.

We passed by a lot of embassies and the government agencies. All these buildings were so elaborate and beautiful, especially the Pakistan Embassy. Sorry India, but the purple domes were amazingly beautiful! We came back later after house hunting to meet Rahul and to eat dinner. These people eat way too much!!!

I found two apartments which I like. They're the same price but in two different settings. The house in GK is in a quite, clean, and peaceful neighborhood and the other which we saw today was right off a main road which housed almost every shop I could think of. Rahul had arranged to see the house today but the realtor lied to us and told us he needed one month has commission, not the original 15 days. He said two months would be okay but now it's not.

CP isn't at all what I expected. Even though its so much different, I'm really falling in love with this place. Its nothing like what I imagined but it's so wonderful.