Some things about living and working in India are ridiculously hard. But other things are ridiculously amazing.
I took the last week to write down all the ‘luxuries’ I experience – great things about living in India that I am very thankful for. My list could be a lot longer, but it would be great if you could add your own to this list!
- We had a friend stay with us for a few days and her mother sent her with a massive box of murukkus.
- We took a five-minute drive to the beach to have a picnic, and the kids had a blast playing near the waves.
- We rode in our small car with four adults and five children and no car seats.
- They sell Magnums right on the beach, as they will in heaven.
- I have six potential methods of transportation to get to my office that is 10 minutes away (walk, auto, taxi, self-drive, share auto, bus).
- While some rental and real estate prices are very high, we live in a fantastic place for much less that I would pay in the US.
- We have a great maid/cook who comes to sweep, mop, wash the dishes, and make food three times a week.
- Our maid’s son needed to see a doctor and my wife sent out a message on a Whatsapp group to ask for help from others on the floor. Within ten minutes, one of our neighbors was there, explaining to her how to get to a good doctor she knows in her area.
- I went with my kids to a shop to get a present for a kid’s birthday party. They gift-wrapped it at no extra charge while my kids played with their toys.
- At the birthday party, a Muslim friend asked, “Is Sarah a Christian name or a Jewish name?” We had a friendly discussion rooted in religion that was not awkward or had any tension.
- My wife called the grocery store while we were driving and arranged a home delivery of some items (at no extra charge). We left money with our trustworthy maid who paid for the items when they were delivered.
- The owner of the same local grocery store led my four-year-old son around his store as he read out his grocery list to the owner.
- Our flat arranged a dandiya dance one evening and we all had a really great time.
- I went for a long run with friends from our flat followed by some fresh tender coconut water (see photo above).
- Every Saturday, my family goes to Sangeetha, a nice south Indian restaurant where the sambar and chutney taste different every time. We order three to four rounds of food and it is delivered hot to our table within 10 minutes.
- I can put all of my shirts in a bag, give it to a lady as I drive out of my apartment, and she will return it with all the shirts nicely ironed and folded. All for about US$0.06 a shirt.