The wedding that wasn’t then was…
While waiting at Delhi airport for our flight home after a wonderful wedding weekend, the Maharashtra state election commentary was on the TV.
I had a flashback to the Indian national elections in April 2014 and an unexpected impact on another friend’s wedding. (more…)
NOTA vote for Maharashtra
“Ding dong!” Since returning from Jakarta, the doorbell kept ringing with the latest candidate soliciting votes.
All were taken aback to discover a firangi (foreigner) in their midst… and therefore obviously someone who cannot vote.
While I was off in Indonesia, Maharashtra’s chief minister stepped down triggering elections.
And there wasn’t much of a choice: (more…)
The great reveal… or not
I’ve mentioned before that I’m a wretchedly reluctant entrepreneur… yet to have the life I prefer to lead, and more specifically to unpack my bags in Mumbai, regular employment just isn’t the way to go.
So here is the great ‘reveal’… (more…)
‘Pop’ home for ‘pop up’ Assamese
I ‘popped’ home to Mumbai on the weekend and found myself at a ‘pop up’ venue for a home made lunch of various Assamese delicacies. Expect by now most are familiar with the concept – enjoy fab food outside of the traditional restaurant setting with other ‘foodies’.
In this case, our venue was a funky store Sanctum, our hosts The Secret Ingredient and our chef the beaming energetic Gitika. (more…)
Beating Bombay Girls – Educating violence
For some time, our mostly reliable maid was consistently late.
Why? Her daughter wasn’t well so wasn’t going to school.
However there is more to the story of her daughter’s mysterious fevers, broken arm and absence from school. This sweet young girl fears going to school…
What happened? (more…)
Sleep deprived Sundays… a travellers lament!
I love traveling, experiencing new places, those random conversations that bring new perspectives and insights…
I also love being home with my partner, hanging out with friends, catching live music, theatre and more!
I also love Love LOVE lazy Sundays…. no alarm, wake up when you want, stretch, have that first blissful sip of cappuccino.
Thanks to my desire for both traveling/work and wanting to be home, I’ve given up most of my sleep-in Sundays! I’ve also learned a new trick – navigating international travel and working ‘abroad’ with an injury! A tenacious torn ligament dashed all normal dashing about at my usual pace…. grrr…… (more…)
Canadian lass in Bollywood – Aspiring actress or dreams dashed?
A dear director friend asked if I could meet with a young Canadian woman contemplating moving to Mumbai to get into acting here. Mostly from the perspective of how I’ve adjusted, my experience with visas, etc.
East weds west on the small screen – read all about it!
Now it isn’t completely unheard of.. after all… in a country of a billion plus people there is a ONE new TV serial that actually stars a blonde haired blue eyed new bride “Firangi Bahu.” I’ve been a bahu or daughter-in-law and survived to tell the tale! It isn’t a completely preposterous idea…
But breaking into ‘The Bollywood Biz” ain’t easy… and while I’m no expert, I have watched on the sidelines off and on since 1990 with friends and family (partner) who have struggled and sometimes succeeded in film, TV and stage. Along the way have picked up a few insights and stories behind the stereotypes….
Yet I still felt like such a nasty horrible person dishing out the following reality check dashing starry eyes and hopeful smiles: (more…)
Who keeps the house clean?
A friend sent a link to a new online publication he started called “Scroll.in – News that matters”. I love lots about it and while the current focus is on the Indian elections, an earlier article on domestic matters caught my eye:
My home, my peaceful sanctuary… invaded!
Being away from home isn’t easy… however sometimes being at home isn’t either.
Though we rent, we’ve put effort into making our apartment a home – a peaceful sanctuary…
A couple of months ago that changed.
We were invaded! Sonically invaded in the worst way! (more…)
The taxman cometh…
What does a Canadian living in India on contract for a project in Indonesia then Malaysia through an Australian company do for taxes?
Before I flew to Indonesia, there loomed the 15th March deadline for “Advance Tax” payment – a critical “To Do” task akin to getting a root canal. Ugh!
While I have no regrets about going ‘independent‘, the simplicity of a salary is something I sorely miss.
So decided to share my pain by sharing my warped understanding of the Indian taxation system: (more…)
Everyday Asia 