Comment posted Waiting for the Cyclone in Mumbai by Sharell.
naina, make sure you find a place Powai side! We’re moving! 
Sharell also commented
- Hi Doctordeath (that name does sound a bit scary!). Thanks for reading and for your encouragement.
I think people who have little tolerance for Indians know little about India and don’t have any understanding of India. In those circumstances, cross cultural marriages are likely to never eventuate. Things like “All INdians are smelly people and dont know how to take a bath” are the perfect example of foreigner’s ignorance about Indian culture. As I discovered at my in-laws house, Hindus consider it to be unclean if they don’t bathe before eating in the morning! The smelly problem I think comes from the fact that most people can’t afford the luxury of spending money on deodorant in India. And of course, the masala smell of cooking is pungent (although I love the smell of Indian food).
As for Indian politics — disgraceful (I’m not a fan of politicians and politics in any country). I just have to ignore it because unless I’m a citizen, I’ll never be able to vote here (and plus, there aren’t too many accountable and honest politicians worth voting for).
If anything, India has taught me a lot of patience and tolerance. You’re right, it’s a good point that you made about Indians not being happy about lack of facilities either. But it’s so had to change. Especially as many of the Indians who have the means and the progressive outlook choose to live abroad these days.
Anyway, I’m happy to have you reading my blog, and to be able to show you that there can be lots of positives about intercultural marriages.
- Hey Ramit, you’ll know. There will be plenty of posts about life in Australia for you. Thanks for the good wishes!
- I’m actually leaving for Australia tomorrow!! I’ve been so busy trying to get everything organised, as well as finalise a new place to live here.
- Naina, have you found a place to live? Don’t worry, all is fine here.
- It was all talk and no action!
Disappointing excitement wise after all that hype, but good for the city. There’s only light rain now and no wind at all.
Recent comments by Sharell
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Thanks Madhu!
I’ve approved it. The link is below. It’s such a useful blog, I’m going to feature it in my India Travel blog, hopefully in the next few days.
http://goindia.about.com/u/sty/travelogues/blogs-about-india/India-Travel-Blog—10-Year-Itch—Explore-Dream-Discover.htm
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We have two sweet young kachra waliis who always smile at me, and one rather handsome kachra wala. I’d also like to feature the watchmen. I think these wale will be next! - Indian Men Getting Away with Bad Behaviour
I read that in the newspaper this morning and was left wondering WFT?! But regardless of what ever the situation actually is, he’s admitted to having sex with her which is bad anyway. - Lunch Delivered in a Tiffin
I could only wish my book will be that good! What an epic. - How Scissors Get Sharpened in India
Hi Raj, welcome to the blog and thank you for such positive feedback. I’m familiar with the exact type of expat you’re talking about. I guess that’s why I have so few expat friends. I find them difficult to relate to — especially when they have more than enough money, home help, drivers, and spacious apartments….and can’t stop complaining. Plus, they make me uncomfortable because they say they have no idea how I can live here happily without any of my home comforts, since I’m not on a well paying contract with a MNC like them. I’ll definitely admit that I do my share of complaining about India (ask my husband!) but I usually follow it up with… why is it like this? I really do want to understand and unravel the mystery of India! I guess the difference between myself and many expats is that they have come here for work, without really knowing anything about India or probably even wanting to. For them, India is just another country to work and earn money in. However, I’d spent a considerable amount of time in India as a tourist before I decided to make it my home, so the country is a bit more close to my heart than it is other expats. I hope that explains it. And I hope you’ll enjoy my blog!
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{ 28 comments }
waiting for the cyclone in Mumbai?
It is going to be horrible if the cyclone hits the city with the intensity that they are predicting. Hope it won’t take lives of people and make people homeless.
Expectedly, cyclone has by passed Mumbai. . It rained more or less continously from yesterday morning till 1.00 pm today. Then it has stopped.
Mumbai is a lucky city at all times so far as natural disasters are concerned considering that it is a costal city with tropical monsoon.
So you have missed nothing today.
Hi Sharell,
Take care, we are all thinking of you in Scotland.
Cheers
Mac
Its really very bad time for mumbai peoples.
Good luck. God bless you.
It’s almost 7 pm now. Has anything happened yet? There’s nothing on the news yet.
I read on the news that it is now going to miss Mumbai but that there will still be lots of rain. Hope that is the case…and that you are enjoying all of that rain from inside…
Oooh, stay safe. Did you go out and stock up on groceries and stuff? Is that what people there do before a big storm is about to hit?
In Virginia, when people know a big snowstorm is coming, they all freak out and run to the store to stock up on milk and bread, etc.
I hope you don’t have to go out in the rain too much…
Send some rain here too please.
We really need it.
It was all talk and no action!
Disappointing excitement wise after all that hype, but good for the city. There’s only light rain now and no wind at all.
I hope not! Its going to be my home soon!
Naina, have you found a place to live? Don’t worry, all is fine here.
Glad that everything is oaky Sharell. hope everyone is doing well.
Thank God there was light rain only. I guess it must be horrible to wait for a cyclone to arrive any moment. Brrrr!
Hi,
Your articles are too good. I keep it a point to read them regularly.
Nice to hear things about India from your perspective.
If you could spare some time, do visit my blog, http://www.indyarocks.com/blogs/blog_visiterview_main.php?id=54042#blog54042
No, I haven’t found a place to live yet, Sharell! I just travel to Amchi Mumbai on need basis for now. The hunting season begins next week.
Strange as it may sound, I am sort of looking forward to it. Its my life long hobby of setting up homes, and then shifting base 6 months onwards. hehe. Will keep you posted. I have a feeling we might turn out to be neighbors after all.
I just “discovered” your blogs today….Its because a distant relative of mine..has been married to an American man for quite sometime now and as it is my hobby to think about life in general when I have nothing on my hands one day I started thinking how do these intercultural things work out?…..Before I knew it I was browsing the net searching for more such instances of intercultural marriages in India. The more recent racist attacks on Indians in Australia took my curiosity to another level because I wonderd–If people from other countries have a hard time tolerating us in their respective territories then how could these intercultural relationships survive?…..
Plus the hate blogs that I get to see everyday on the Internet targeting us Indians…saying silly things like “All INdians are smelly people and dont know how to take a bath”…..”Indians do not deserve to stay in our country as they are eating up our jobs…..”…..”Indians F*** off to your smellyland…”…etc are extremely hurtful and often make me wonder that here we have Celebrities who are so-called Goodwill Ambassadors and Human Rightts activists campaigning for “WORLD PEACE” when people have such a hard time tolerating each other. I was reading your Kolkata experience prior to writing this because my maternal grandparents happen to live there and I am extremely close to them.And I have always felt a sense of belonging to this city…I just love being there.
I wasnt surprised when I read that womwn in the bus were looking at you suspiciously because its a general feeling here in India that Foreigners who come from developed countries tend to look down upon ours because they are simply annoyed at the lack of facilities at many places in the country…well we feel annoyed too..Its not that that we like it that way….So this causes a sort of an inferiority complex among people..IMO
Anyway, moving on, I must admit that I realy can imagine how you feel here away from home….Yes,living here even in the metropolitan cities is not half as convenient as it is living in a big city abroad.I mean, come on, a subway is a common thing in almost every city in developed countries whereas such things are only avilable in 3 or 4 cities on INdia….thats a pity and the Government is partly at fault too. And why is that so???
Simply because the educated middle class youth of the country is not interested in politics at all…Why?…because Politics in India is considered (and it really is) a dirty lane by most of us…You know, most of these politicians are hypocrites and irresponsible idiots who know nothing but to accept bribes. Look at the Chief Minister of my state, he has gobbled up Rs.40,000,000,000!!! Thats half the state budget!!!
Such situations prevent responsible people from getting into the Govt….because no one wants to become the ‘King Of Black Money’ isnt it?
So this starts a vicious cycle, and more and more irresponsible people keep getting into the administration.
End Result: Very little Development.
I admire your courage to leave behind everithing that you grew up with and come and settle down in an Alien land that at times lacks a lot of facilities that are a part of everyday life abroad. I read your “Frustrated at the Family Gathering” blog also…..I felt really sorry that you felt lonely due to the language bar. I can imagime how helpless you feel at times. Dont worry, Its anything but natural.
I wil be following your posts from now on.
Anybody seen Queen Sharell anywhere? She’s been missing for some time now.
Er… Anyone asked Sharell when she’s going back to Australia? Has she left India? Anyone have any idea how long will she be there?
Doctordeath? Er… Hello. I take it you don’t live in India anymore. But I really don’t think that there is a subway in all cities in the west.
Actually I should shut up. This debating thing is not my forte.
Where are Shaunak and Abdullah?
Hmmm… Strange.
Doctordeath, Are you related to ‘Evil’ Cathy?
I haven’t seen her…maybe she is out and about enjoying the cooler weather…or drinking like of course us Australians do constantly
I think it is still another two weeks or so before she comes back…and will be here for Christmas I think…but I am sure she will emerge very soon to give the correct facts rather than my vague memories (I was quite sick on day we met) that I am repeating just to give me an excuse to take up yet more space on her blog
And no, there aren’t subways in Australia – the odd underground station yes…and pretty sure same in KL (can remember going under the towers, but that was rare). You shut up Ramit?! I can’t imagine it
(and being nice Cathy for a minute, of course don’t want to). And Shaunak and Abdullah may be working…or doing something constructive…they both seem more intellectual than us lazy constantly on internet types..
Doctordeath is clearly not related to me as there was no evil expressed in his comments – I like the name though and am having a little bit of jealousy about it actually lol…
I’m actually leaving for Australia tomorrow!! I’ve been so busy trying to get everything organised, as well as finalise a new place to live here.
Oh. Hey you’re here. Have a safe flight. And do let us know when you reach there.
All the best.
Hey Ramit, you’ll know.
There will be plenty of posts about life in Australia for you. Thanks for the good wishes!
Hi Doctordeath (that name does sound a bit scary!). Thanks for reading and for your encouragement.
I think people who have little tolerance for Indians know little about India and don’t have any understanding of India. In those circumstances, cross cultural marriages are likely to never eventuate. Things like “All INdians are smelly people and dont know how to take a bath” are the perfect example of foreigner’s ignorance about Indian culture. As I discovered at my in-laws house, Hindus consider it to be unclean if they don’t bathe before eating in the morning! The smelly problem I think comes from the fact that most people can’t afford the luxury of spending money on deodorant in India. And of course, the masala smell of cooking is pungent (although I love the smell of Indian food).
As for Indian politics — disgraceful (I’m not a fan of politicians and politics in any country). I just have to ignore it because unless I’m a citizen, I’ll never be able to vote here (and plus, there aren’t too many accountable and honest politicians worth voting for).
If anything, India has taught me a lot of patience and tolerance. You’re right, it’s a good point that you made about Indians not being happy about lack of facilities either. But it’s so had to change. Especially as many of the Indians who have the means and the progressive outlook choose to live abroad these days.
Anyway, I’m happy to have you reading my blog, and to be able to show you that there can be lots of positives about intercultural marriages.
naina, make sure you find a place Powai side! We’re moving!
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