Long Over Due

Okay, so we had traveled back to the US because Vikas needed to be there for work and to get some time back at home. That was at the end of October of last year. Then he went back to India to work and I stayed in Austin because honestly, doing that flight two more times in such a short time period, did not appeal to me in any way. I missed him dearly though. We've never been apart for an entire month. I got a lot done and I even got my exercise on. I lost 14 lbs. before he arrived back in November. Well, after he got back, and the Christmas holidays were rolling around closer and closer, I wasn't feeling well. I had been told at a prior physical that I had a virus but I had felt fine and thought nothing of it, nor did the Dr. seem worried. Anyway, long story short, the crap hit the fan and everything went down hill. We ended up staying much longer in Austin than planned. There were many tests, many trips to different specialists, lots of physical therapy by who I swear is the best physical therapy business in the whole of Texas, Core Therapy and Pilates, and massages by the best and most caring massage therapist ever, Michelle Savage. Let me know, if you want either of their info. They are all patient, kind, caring and work on finding the source of the problem and treating it by helping the body learn to heal itself. That I believe is key to healing in the long run. They will also try to work with you as best they can with appointments, insurance and anything that you need.

So now we're back in India. We got here about a week ago. Two days after arriving, I end up getting another cold virus. Yeh, so many phrases can be used here, but I'll just stick to, "oh great, what luck". It wasn't as bad as the last few months so I'm taking it in stride. It seems to be getting better and that I'm on the better side of it now, here's hoping. I want to feel better so we can start getting to the traveling part. Right now, we are looking into traveling to Jaipur and Udaipur. I am VERY excited to go to these places! Since I love to make jewelry, Jaipur is going to be a place where I need to sew my wallet closed. Fine silver, gemstones and many other pieces are made in Jaipur. I'm going to be like a kid in a toy factory. Both cities are supposed to be rather beautiful. Also, we hope to stay at least one night in one of the world's top ten chosen hotels (chosen by Travel + Leisure), The Oberoi in Udaipur. The trip should be soon, but we'll see. For now, we might go somewhere closer, Pondicherry, Mysore or something like that. So many wonderful places to see and visit and any of them will be fine for me. I'll just be glad to be experiencing new things and enjoying that I am feeling much better and hoping every day that it stays that way.

So I wanted to basically catch everyone up and explain why there was such a long pause in writing. Tomorrow is Sunday, which means brunch at the Oberoi, here in Bangalore. I love love love their homemade ginger ale. What a great drink for a cold virus too.

I still have some photos to post from Diwali when we were in Mumbai, before coming back to the US in October of last year. I will try to post those tomorrow sometime. Take care everyone and have a great day in the US. Here it's nighttime and much past my bedtime. Rest is important. :)

La Dee Dah

Well, I woke quite early and thought, now would be a good time to write. I've caught a cold of some kind. I've got the usual fever, running and stuffy nose, feeling blah.. the works. Vikas had it first and now I have it. He's doing much better but I'm just starting. I guess it's time to get out the old OJ and tylenol.

We haven't had a car really in the last few days. We've had to get a rental when needed. Here the rental comes with a driver. Believe me when I say it's safer for everyone that way. Anyway, we finally have our own official car and driver. He's supposed to be here tomorrow to pick up Vikas to take him to work. I'm not sure of the driver's name yet and have not met him yet but will do so this morning. Maybe I'll be able to sneak a photo of him. We'll see. Me on the other hand will be in the house. I mean other than the usual walk, I haven't gotten out much in the last few days.

I'll be honest folks, it's not entirely what I thought it'd be. Though it's only been a couple of weeks so giving it time is definitely the option I'm taking.

We have a housekeeper and a cook, same person actually. Her name is Husna. I hope I spelled that right. She is the same person who normally cleans this residence for the landlord. She's very sweet. She doesn't speak English but she says she understands it. Either way, we've got everything worked out so far and it's probably the most cushy job ever. I mean two single people who barely make a mess and don't need a lot of food. I'm happy, Vikas is happy and the maid is happy so all is good on that front.

So I mentioned in my last blog I was going to get a massage yesterday. That had to be rescheduled for Saturday. A torrential rain storm came along and I didn't really want to wander around in that to walk over to the spa. There was actual lightning folks. Lightning = no wandering around outside for me. I will, however, let you know how it all goes after Saturday's appointment. I'm excited to get the massage, even if it will be somewhat painful because I know it will provide some relief.

I'm sure I have some photos to post.. hmmm.. let me get those for ya.

This photo and the rest below are photos from one of our favorite restaurants in Bangalore. It's at the Taj West End Hotel and it's called Masala Klub. They have excellent food and one of the best desserts on the planet called, Kesari Phirni. You can read more about the restaurant here, http://www.tajhotels.com/Luxury/City-Hotels/The-Taj-West-End-Bangalore/Fine-Dining/Masala-Klub-Restaurant.html.

Also, if you want to know more about the Kesari Phirni, you can find that out here, http://www.sanjeevkapoor.com/kesari-phirni---khana-khazana.aspx and below is a photo. Enjoy! Try it at home and if you do, send me photos. It's a wonderful dessert! 

More photos of the Masala Klub at the Taj West End Hotel in Bangalore.

Statues at the restaurant, made of clay.

Well, I know there's more but I'll save it for the next blog. Hope you all had a great day. It's still Thursday there but it's already Friday morning here. Sleep well America!

Random thoughts for today

My thoughts in this blog will most likely be quite random, but hey that makes it interesting right. We had the wonderful breakfast this morning as usual. I told Vikas that I could get used to just living in the hotel here for the rest of the year. They have everything we need and it leaves things so uncomplicated.

So yesterday we went by the house to look at all the updates and to sign the lease. We also met the couple that owns the house. Since it was our first meeting, I didn't bombard them with wanting to take their photo. I hope to get one later though. They are just the sweetest couple and seem so very kind. As our real estate agent mentioned, you won't find landlords like them very often. They were there to make sure everything was as we wanted it and were really going out of their way for us. Usually when you rent a house, they don't do much work on the outside, but they were having the landscaping and outside of the house cleaned up and refreshed. It was very sweet of them. See photo below.

Vikas talking with one of the landlords. I, sadly, can't remember her name at the moment.

The gentlemen working on the repairs on the house. It's looking wonderful! It looked wonderful before so now it's just that much better. 

I think we're both ready to move in now though. I'm also ready for the crates to get here. I've kind of been antsy about working on jewelry ideas. At some point I'll be checking some of the jewelry supply stores here too. I can't wait to see where I can find some nice beads to work with. I have some creative ideas that I would like to start working on. Glass and ceramic beads are some prominent finds here. 

On our way back from breakfast, it was a little funny to see one of the staff running quickly around a corner in her beautiful sari and as soon as she sees us she immediately stops running and leads into a quick paced walk while saying, "Hello m'am. Hello sir." Then she passes us and proceeds to take off in another sprint. You could hear her footsteps running around the other corner. I found that pretty humorous. The staff here is very courteous, well mannered and helpful.

I've been reading up a bit on the areas throughout town to visit. There are a few museums of interest. As we explore each one, I'll be writing about them and showing images of each place. 

Well, it's not much but it's all for now.  

The Unknown

So because of some body pains and issues, I get massages every now and then. I've been researching where to get a good massage that is more what I'm used to in America, versus the Asian style that is here, meaning no sheet, bare and being massage a little too close to the "no go" zone than I prefer. I've been reading other people's experiences which seem WAY more intimate than I would EVER prefer. I think I've found a place called SPA.ce (http://www.spacethespa.com/). There might be a couple of other spas too but I need to make some calls and ask some questions. I think the key is to let them know up front what you expect, which is exactly what I'll do. If that's very "american" of me then so be it. I'm paying them and it's my body so I should get the experience I prefer and am comfortable with. I will let you all know what I find and what I like most. SPA.ce is run by an expat Brit (meaning British expatriate) so I'm thinking that may be more directed towards what I'm expecting. I also can't wait to try reflexology massage. Actually, I'm also going to see about the spa here at the Taj West End hotel that we are staying at (http://www.tajhotels.com/Luxury/City-Hotels/The-Taj-West-End-Bangalore/Accommodations.html).

So each time we've stayed here at the Taj West End hotel in Bangalore, they've given us a gift. It's such a nice and thoughtful treat. Last time they gave us a small aromatic pillow. I missed taking a photo of it. This time they made us monogrammed pillows (each pillow has our first name on it). So on one pillow, it has my name (spelled correctly too, yay!) and the other has Vikas' name. You can see photos below. I absolutely adore these pillows! It's so hard to find my name on anything unless it's made specially so this was an absolute treat. The pillow came with a little card and a sweet note from the Housekeeping Team here at the Taj. The pillows are made with silk and down feathers.

This little fella was on our path to go to breakfast yesterday morning. Had to take a photo. Beautiful little home he has there. :)

Took this photo at the domestic section of the Mumbai airport when we flew from Mumbai to Bangalore. Beautiful and modern. Of course we didn't feel so beautiful due to our eventual 5 hour delay.

So we found out today that the house will not be ready for us to move into until next Monday. We will be staying a few more days at the Taj (darn <---- sarcasm). Right now I am a little bored from time to time, but I am honestly enjoying the rest and being a bum. It's also giving me time to do some research for things and find places I want to go to during the day on my own. I plan to do a little more research via phone calls tomorrow to find out more about places that do massages the way I would prefer. I'll keep you informed so that if any of you travel here you will know of a few good places to go. Well, and I'm not being too much of a bum because I actually have work to keep me busy. I'll try to take photos at any places I go too so you can see. :)

Off to breakfast and another day of new things to do and learn.

Just as I was about to publish this post.. out goes the electricity but of course within a few seconds it was back on. One thing to get learn to get used to here.

Here we come Austin (and Don)

We will be heading back home tonight. It's Saturday morning here. Honestly, here at the hotel, breakfast is included and is my favorite meal of the day! So see, I love breakfast, and apparently can be a morning person, but I just need someone to prepare it for me. Haha! 

This blog will host what all I can think to write about the remainder of our stay here this week, since my last blog. I'll be posting photos of our three choices of where we would like to live. Our real estate agent is negotiating them for us. Hmmm.. I think I'll start there. I'm sure you're all excited to see them, as much as I am excited to show them to you. So here goes: 

Choice #3 - at Palm Meadows in Whitefield - Unfurnished

That's Malini our real estate agent, standing in front of the house.

 Entrance into the house.

Looking out the entrance from inside the house.

Beautifully etched cabinet in kitchen.

Slightly blurry but it's the washer and dryer in the utility room.

Cabinet storage for giants (in the living space, ground floor).

By the way, in India and basically the rest of the world (outside the U.S.) people call the first floor the ground floor and the top floor is the first floor. So there ya go. Tidbit of info to carry with ya.

Storage space in garage. Yes, garage! It's the only house out of our choices that has a closed in garage.

View of outside of house, looking towards balcony.

 View of dining area. No, the fridge will be moved closer to the kitchen and yes, that is weird.

View of kitchen. Yes, it actually has an oven! Most houses here do NOT have ovens. The oven actually has a rotisserie in it too. Two of our house choices have ovens.

 Closet in one bedroom. 

Staircase to upstairs.

Living room on ground floor.

Upstairs family room. Near the family room is another room that is the study. 

I don't have a photo of that but what a great place for me to work. 

View of balcony from inside house.

Closet in Master bedroom.

Bath in Master bedroom. 

View of balcony from family room.

Guest bath upstairs. Entry from guest bedroom and family room.

Closet in guest bedroom.

Choice #2 - Prestige Ozone in Whitefield - Furnished

Living room.

Dining area and table (a bit blurry)

Back patio and garden area.

Garden area.

Guest Bedroom

Guest bathroom with shower (can add curtain)

Storage cabinet near dining table.

Kitchen (no oven)

Dishwasher and clothes washer, they'll add the dryer later.

Cabinets and microwave in kitchen.

Balcony from Master bedroom.

Other direction of balcony from Master bedroom.

Master bedroom.

Master Bathroom

Vanity in master bath.

Family room upstairs.

Looking downstairs into dining room and living area.

Looking downstairs into living area.

Couch in family room.

Looking out onto balcony from family room upstairs.

TV in family room upstairs.

One view from balcony.

Balcony off of family room.

Another guest bedroom.

Vikas, inspecting the closet storage in a guest bedroom.

Guest bathroom

Desk in master bedroom.

Couch in family room.

Vanity in guest bathroom.

Another view of guest bedroom.

Hot water geyser. Heats water as it flows through to give you hot water for sink and shower.

View onto patio from dining room.

View of front of house #2.

View of front of house #2.

Choice #1 - Prestige Ozone in Whitefield - Furnished

Small outdoor patio and yard.

View towards dining area, stairs and kitchen.

Powder bathroom in near entrance and living area, ground floor.

Living area

 Entrance

Small nook for dishes, etc... 

 Kitchen

Kichen (oven) 

 Utility area with sink and clothes washer.

Cabinets in utility/kitchen 

 Pantry

 Guest bedroom #1

 View to backyard from bedroom #1

Bedroom #1

Bathroom view from bedroom #1

Closet storage for bedroom #1

Vanity for bathroom in bedroom #1. 

Closet storage in bedroom #1. All closets have lighting when doors open.

View of family room from stairs, upstairs 

slightly blurry, family room with flatscreen TV

Couch in family room

Chandelier in family room (the main rooms all have them)

Guest Bedroom #2

Guest Bedroom #2

View of bathroom from bedroom #2

Master bedroom (wood floors)

Master bedroom closet

Master bedroom

Master bedroom

Master bathroom

Master bathroom, fancy schmancy shower :)

Lighted stairs

Chandelier in dining area

Chaise lounge chair by patio window in living area

View of dining area

Garden on front step

Garden on front step

Front of house choice #1

Front of house choice #1

View from front of house

Garage (sun is making photo seem faded)

Ok, I know that's a lot of photos and if you made it this far then, thank you! I think we did well for the few days we had to find a place to live. Now let's hope the rest all goes smoothly. Things are still being negotiated by the real estate agent. We are also still not 100% sure which we really want but we think this is ordered the way we want it. I'm sure any of the homes will suffice. They are all very nice. 

I've taken many more photos and there's a lot more to write about but our day is coming to an end here. We need to get ourselves all packed up, have some wonderful dinner and get ready to head to the airport. I won't lie, it'll be good to get back to my bed and my cute lil poochie, Max. 

Then it will be time to focus on a last couple of projects for people, packing for the relocation and plenty of rest. I'll see many of you soon and if not, I'm sure I'll comment on your posts on Facebook or something. Take care everyone and remember to check for more posts in a few days. I have more photos to show. Good morning Austin!