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.