I tried the Indian breakfast again. Yesterday it was similar to a pancake. Today it was fried filo dough with flavored mashed potatoes in the middle. They said it was a Samosa. It was really good. You can only eat so many McDonalds Egg and Cheese McMuffins. There was another smaller round nugget in the box with my Samosa, but I wasn’t fond of it. I haven’t had any trouble eating the food here. It has a great flavor, but some days you just need some all American.
I am teaching the Pro Trader Class this week. What a great group! I am getting used to most of the accents now, but every once in a while someone will have to translate. They all want to take me out to lunch tomorrow. They are amazingly hospitable.
A lady in my class, Satyajeet offered to take me to Worli and Bandra tomorrow night then have her driver bring me back. Bandra is a suburb located in the north-west of Mumbai. It has been referred to as the "Queen Of The Suburbs". It is a highly sought-after location for restaurants, pubs, high-street stores, and many Bollywood movie stars.
Worli is a part of South Mumbai. It is bounded by the Arabian Sea to the west. The Worli-Bandra Sealink connects the western suburbs to island city of Mumbai. I’m looking forward to seeing both of them.
I had lunch with Neeraj yesterday. He mentioned that 60% of Mumbai’s population live in the slums; that’s about 7 million people. I used to think that it was wrong to hire people for such a low wage, but I have a new perspective on it now. I can see that it would be impossible for the 40% to take care of the 60%. People could hire one person at our minimum wage and maybe take one out of the slums. Seven others would go hungry. Or they could hire 8 people at a very low wage and they would all eat without having to pick through garbage. There are just too many people here for the type of assistance we offer in the US. People are very happy to have any job.
OTA pays a guy to stand by the coffee machine and push the ‘hot chocolate’ or ‘coffee’ button. After the first few days, I didn’t have to tell him my drink of choice. There’s a man who fills the water bottles during lunch and again in the evening. They serve meals and clean up. Another man guards the front door.
Everywhere I go there is an elevator man. He spends all day (not just 8 hours) standing in the corner of that small, hot elevator pushing buttons. The same men are there no matter how early or late I am. The operator at the center knows I am going to the fourth floor. He also knows I don’t pay attention and try to get off on the wrong floor all the time. He always says, “No madam, three.”
All of the operators in the Phoenix Towers know I am going to the 21st floor. They are very kind. People are very proud and grateful for their jobs. They don’t do them begrudgingly. A lady got on the elevator one day and reached around the man to push her own button. I remember thinking she was very rude. They know who you are and where you are going.
All of them: the maids, cooks, security guards, elevator operators, water bottle fillers and coffee button pushers are extremely helpful. If I lift my plate after lunch, someone runs to get it from me. They are not pushed or prodded to do their job; they do it willingly. My students are also very hard-working people. I’m sure they are the fortunate ones.
My first few days here, I really thought the maid had a bad attitude. When I asked her to do something, she would tilt her head from side to side. At home that means, ‘whatever!’ Here it means ‘ok’. When someone asked me if I was finished with a glass, I shook my head yes. He immediately took his hands off the glass to leave it there. Priya said I was confusing people with the head shake. I’ve been working on the tilt. The other day I was listening intently to a student’s question. I found myself doing the tilt unconsciously. I am trainable I guess.
I ran out of cash last night and didn’t even have enough money for a Frankie (it’s only about $1) after work. I made myself a peanut butter and jelly instead. I remembered to bring money today so I could go find the exchange. I was walking along, minding my own business when I was assaulted by five pairs of homeless shoes. I am now housing some of India’s finest. Ninety-five percent of the feet here are covered by sandals. This is the sandal mecca. I might need more luggage for my trip home.
I had dinner at the Bombay Blue Café tonight. It was good. I wish I knew what all of the things on the menu have in them. It’s hard to know if something sounds good when you have no idea what it will look or taste like by its name. I ordered a sampler platter with Mexican, Indian and American food. I knew what two of them would taste like.
I stopped at a place called Natural. One of my students said they serve the best Indian ice cream. His favorite is mango pineapple. I can see why; it was amazing.
Rakesh knows I hate the Nescafe and I don’t usually let him make me breakfast or dinner. This morning I had him make me a piece of toast. It amazes me that he really seemed delighted that he could finally do something for me. When I got back to the guest house tonight, I was delighted to find some Amul Kool Café (iced coffee) in the refrigerator. He is really trying to take care of me.
This place has really changed how I look at things. I no longer look at the poor here with pity, but with respect for doing their job well. I am getting used to the accents, head tilts, spicy food, the buttons being pushed and being served. I am still having trouble with the smelly spot.
I am teaching the Pro Trader Class this week. What a great group! I am getting used to most of the accents now, but every once in a while someone will have to translate. They all want to take me out to lunch tomorrow. They are amazingly hospitable.
A lady in my class, Satyajeet offered to take me to Worli and Bandra tomorrow night then have her driver bring me back. Bandra is a suburb located in the north-west of Mumbai. It has been referred to as the "Queen Of The Suburbs". It is a highly sought-after location for restaurants, pubs, high-street stores, and many Bollywood movie stars.
Worli is a part of South Mumbai. It is bounded by the Arabian Sea to the west. The Worli-Bandra Sealink connects the western suburbs to island city of Mumbai. I’m looking forward to seeing both of them.
I had lunch with Neeraj yesterday. He mentioned that 60% of Mumbai’s population live in the slums; that’s about 7 million people. I used to think that it was wrong to hire people for such a low wage, but I have a new perspective on it now. I can see that it would be impossible for the 40% to take care of the 60%. People could hire one person at our minimum wage and maybe take one out of the slums. Seven others would go hungry. Or they could hire 8 people at a very low wage and they would all eat without having to pick through garbage. There are just too many people here for the type of assistance we offer in the US. People are very happy to have any job.
OTA pays a guy to stand by the coffee machine and push the ‘hot chocolate’ or ‘coffee’ button. After the first few days, I didn’t have to tell him my drink of choice. There’s a man who fills the water bottles during lunch and again in the evening. They serve meals and clean up. Another man guards the front door.
Everywhere I go there is an elevator man. He spends all day (not just 8 hours) standing in the corner of that small, hot elevator pushing buttons. The same men are there no matter how early or late I am. The operator at the center knows I am going to the fourth floor. He also knows I don’t pay attention and try to get off on the wrong floor all the time. He always says, “No madam, three.”
All of the operators in the Phoenix Towers know I am going to the 21st floor. They are very kind. People are very proud and grateful for their jobs. They don’t do them begrudgingly. A lady got on the elevator one day and reached around the man to push her own button. I remember thinking she was very rude. They know who you are and where you are going.
All of them: the maids, cooks, security guards, elevator operators, water bottle fillers and coffee button pushers are extremely helpful. If I lift my plate after lunch, someone runs to get it from me. They are not pushed or prodded to do their job; they do it willingly. My students are also very hard-working people. I’m sure they are the fortunate ones.
My first few days here, I really thought the maid had a bad attitude. When I asked her to do something, she would tilt her head from side to side. At home that means, ‘whatever!’ Here it means ‘ok’. When someone asked me if I was finished with a glass, I shook my head yes. He immediately took his hands off the glass to leave it there. Priya said I was confusing people with the head shake. I’ve been working on the tilt. The other day I was listening intently to a student’s question. I found myself doing the tilt unconsciously. I am trainable I guess.
I ran out of cash last night and didn’t even have enough money for a Frankie (it’s only about $1) after work. I made myself a peanut butter and jelly instead. I remembered to bring money today so I could go find the exchange. I was walking along, minding my own business when I was assaulted by five pairs of homeless shoes. I am now housing some of India’s finest. Ninety-five percent of the feet here are covered by sandals. This is the sandal mecca. I might need more luggage for my trip home.
I had dinner at the Bombay Blue Café tonight. It was good. I wish I knew what all of the things on the menu have in them. It’s hard to know if something sounds good when you have no idea what it will look or taste like by its name. I ordered a sampler platter with Mexican, Indian and American food. I knew what two of them would taste like.
I stopped at a place called Natural. One of my students said they serve the best Indian ice cream. His favorite is mango pineapple. I can see why; it was amazing.
Rakesh knows I hate the Nescafe and I don’t usually let him make me breakfast or dinner. This morning I had him make me a piece of toast. It amazes me that he really seemed delighted that he could finally do something for me. When I got back to the guest house tonight, I was delighted to find some Amul Kool Café (iced coffee) in the refrigerator. He is really trying to take care of me.
This place has really changed how I look at things. I no longer look at the poor here with pity, but with respect for doing their job well. I am getting used to the accents, head tilts, spicy food, the buttons being pushed and being served. I am still having trouble with the smelly spot.
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