Oh my, its September already! So this week, where shall I begin? Well Monday I cannot actually remember which is really bad!
Oh yes I can. I went to the dentist and then later I was browsing Craig's List LA for jobs and came across one at the school I had volunteered at. I mailed the Director of the school with my CV and asked if he might consider me. Anyway long story short I think I have got the job and he will keep it open for me until I get back-hooray!
Of course I still have to get my work authorisation but fingers crossed that should not be a problem. Until then I will just have to "volunteer" but I have been doing that for a year now so a while longer won't hurt me! If I'm honest I thought I might not get a job especially given the current job climate in the States.
Next stop is actually the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Sunday. MTs parents very kindly gave us some money to go on a holiday/honeymoon. The islands are located in the Bay of Bengal. Its a flight from here to Chennai, formerly know as Madras, then a flight to Port Blair which is the capital of the Nicobar islands and then a boat to Havelock island. Its supposed to be an eco friendly island, there is swimming elephant, a history of cannibalism, no Internet and it may well rain as its monsoon season. Oh well it well it will be soooo nice to escape!
Went to buy some magazines and a book to take with me at Hypercity today. When I got my reading items including Vogue India plus the few food items to the check out I was told I had to pay upstairs! I could not be bothered as I had already wondered around for ages trying to find some goggles and jelly shoes! I just paid for the water, pasta, pesto and bananas and went to meet Kumar to come home. I also bought him some short bread biscuits to say thank you for taking me to the doctor in the middle of the night! They were the closest in date British product I could find!
Its funny because the store does have some Waitrose products as their luxury brand but they are the Waitose essentials range which are the equivalent to Sainsbury's basics. The first time I saw them I laughed because the Waitrose HQ is actually located in our home town! It was also just weird because I never expected to see Waitrose products in India! Expect the unexpected here and be prepared to be challenged!
Yes I had to go to the doctor in the middle of the night on Tuesday. I got home and had a tingling of a headache that got progressively worse until I had to get into bed. At that point I seemed to have some kind of a fever and felt sick. I thought I could sleep it off but after a few hours I wanted to chop my head off the pain was so much. I cannot remember feeling so ill or being so scared since being taken to hospital for suspected meningitis. That was in my first term at university.
MT called me and said Kumar knew a 24 hour doctor's surgery and could take us. He was working late but I had called him to say you need to come home. I think I was in quite a state! I couldn't really lift my head or look up and MT told me to wear my sunglasses but I didn't want to, I should have because the light did hurt my eyes! When we got to the doctor they took some details whilst I slumped over the receptionist's desk. In the doctor's room they took my temperature but the first time I just could not hold the thermometer under my tongue. I felt silly, little kids can manage that!
The doctor told us that it was a local virus I had picked up. He wrote us a prescription and we went to the 24 hour pharmacy. They did not have the drugs he had prescribed so were given an alternative and MT insisted we go back to the doctor to check they were okay, I just wanted to go home. I felt horrendous but by then luckily Rory, our sister's boyfriend who has just completed his pharmacy degree had recommended some super strong pain killer to take to India which I had taken about midnight and seemed to have kicked.
We were told to go back in 48 hours for tests if things had not improved but they have-big phew! Just a good job I had not decided on going to China with Muhan on Wednesday!
Tuesday I met Muhan at UB City to go for lunch. UB City is kind of this upmarket mall with shops and eateries. We went for Japanese and I think I ate more meat in one sitting than I have in my whole time in India. I also had a glass of wine which I thought cause my headache but was later to discover I had picked up some local virus!
After lunch we went to this kind of high end sari shop. And oh my gosh the clothes were beautiful. Some of them were a modern twist on saris, still traditional Indian clothing for women but sort of modern. Some of the skirts were so heavy that I am sure you would need lessons not to topple over in them. The colours and stitching and jewels on them were dazzling and then there were the jewel encrusted and sparkly sandals!! Now I am not a fan of toes but I think I may well be prepared to expose them for a pair of these blingers!!!
Wednesday was a bit sad because Muhan left for China. I felt bad that I was ill because I wanted to go out with her. She came and knocked on my door as her husband had told her I was poorly. MT must have told him at work. Then she brought me some kiwis and water. In the evening Muhan came round to say goodbye. They were also going to dinner at Herbs and Spices and asked me to go but I just couldn't face it. I gave Muhan one of my scarves to take to China and said that if I could not go then one of my scarves could!!
Yesterday I did not venture very far although not going far here feels like a whole adventure in itself with all of the sights and sounds and smells. I decided to go the other local supermarket. This one takes you into the hustle and bustle of Whitefield and past the cows. I have not seen the regal one for a while actually, I hope its okay.
The smell of fresh cow plop did make me have a little heave and I just sort of scurried past the spot. Oh and there was a gust of wind caused by a lorry that blew up a whirlwind of dust from the street into my eyes, as well as feeling like it had burst my eardrums with the sound of its horn. Almost wished I had stayed at home! Did not want to get cabin fever so forced myself to go out. The lorry however was quite beautifully decorated with little panels of paintings, I think they may have been Hindu deities and symbols. Lots of yellows and oranges.
In the supermarket I bumped into a chap who works in the rug and pashmina shop we had gone to earlier in the week and I had been to once before. He seems a nice enough chap but it was a bit embarrassing because I knew I looked crap, I was not feeling well and he seemed to want to have a conversation. See they know that I go to a school near them because I have to walk past the shop and its like they know me. He's the same chap who had asked me about our marriage, if it was love or arranged and also the chap marrying his second cousin! I think I mentioned this in an earlier blog.
It may well be a week before I blog again so I will let you know how the holiday goes. Hopefully we will not get eaten by sharks, or cannibals, there will not be a tsunami , the elephant will swim and the sun will shine!!!:)
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