In India, I'm actually part of that other half. What exactly does that mean? I'm getting super spoiled living there. First, as I think I've mentioned before, I have my own car and driver. Someone who is there for me to call on every day to take me to the gym, the grocery, out to Delhi etc.
I have to say, it is a blessing since I couldn't drive in India, but it is a strange. So now, if I ask him to come at 7am so I can go to the gym, I ask him the night before and that means that if I actually don't feel like going the next morning, I have to fight my guilt that it took him an hour to get to me and my desire to stay in bed. Guilt usually wins. It does take a bit of planning and knowing what you are doing the following day, but I never have to worry about driving home after a few drinks!
My driver, Madan, is really great - and he loves my dog. As you know, I found Jai a daycare to go to during the week. So Jai comes with me in the car as I get driven to the gym or work (if I go to the gym, he stays with Madan) and then Madan drives him to the farm - and stays and plays with him - before he drives him home for his afternoon nap. Madan and Jai get along really well - to the point that Madan has told me that Jai is his best friend. (Pause for, awww). Jai may rebel against coming back to the US, but we'll have that chat in a year.
While I'm at work a housekeeper cleans my flat (apartment) every day other than Sunday. That means, the bathrooms, the floors, dusting, and the kitchen - including any dishes that I may have left. I haven't done dishes in 3 months! My only chore is to do my own laundry. And if I have drycleaning, I leave it in the flat in a bag - it gets picked up and dropped off. As for ironing, there's a presswalla in one of the buildings in my apartment complex who irons each item for no more than 3 INR - which is the equivalent of $.07 per item. And if I bring him some items on a Saturday, they are finished in a couple of hours.
While I do go to the grocery store about once a week - I could just place an order and have it all delivered (at no additional cost). In fact, as I mentioned in one of my first posts - just about everyone delivers - including the wine store, the baker (we finally found this amazing french bakery which real croissants and baguettes!), and restaurants of all sorts.
Ok, yes, I do have to feed myself if I don't order out - which I surprisingly don't d2. I suppose I could hire a part-time cook - at a cost of no more than 3000 INR per month or about $45, but it seems a bit much, don't you think? Besides, since my office provides us with lunch, most days I don't want much more than a light dinner. But since I've been dreading the office lunches lately, maybe I should consider this...
Of course, I need to be done in time for my bi-weekly yoga class - where our yoga instructor comes to our flat to provide 3 on 1 instruction. I'm wondering if I can just ask her to do the yoga for me :)
It's amazing how much free time this provides you and while I am tired after a hard days work - I kind of miss doing some of these things for myself. Not cleaning the bathrooms though.
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