Heat Wave

Heat Wave

The heat wave continues to be a nuisance. Ten things to do during a heat wave in Lucknow, well this is according to my experience:

1.      Drink and carry a lot of purified water

2.      Buy an good air conditioning system

3.      Have enough sleep

4.      Wear appropriate cloths

5.      Spend less time outside and more time inside your house

6.      Use an umbrella [Indian male hardly carries an umbrella]

7.      Find a reliable auto taxi driver who can drive you around

8.      Use sunglasses that covers your eyes

9.      Have frequent showers

10.   Have a positive attitude during heat wave

Every morning, I check for the day’s temperature. Every day I get disappointed. The temperature is not going down. However, this information prepares me for the day. Every morning I walk 2 km to catch a shared auto to go to school. I am so glad there is an air conditioning system at school. My class begins at 9am so I arrive around 8.30am to cool myself off before I begin my classes. I spend another two hours after class to do some personal language studies and then make my way home. I take a shared Auto and then walk 2 km home. When I reach home I immediately take a shower to cool off.

I read in newspapers many people die during summer. One day while I was returning home from school, I saw a dead body beside the railway tracks. I ask people who were gathered around the body. They told me that this guy was eating his food and then suddenly collapsed and died. They also told me that he must have died because of heat exhaustion, many people died during summer. The Government of India and local communities provide water on the streets for people. I drink like more than 2 litres of water a day. Everyday when I pass the place that man died, I always ask myself: Who won, Heaven or hell. I feel sorry for his family.

My three Friends

This month I made three fantastic friends. We meet every day after my class for a chat. We talk with each other. This is an excellent opportunity for me to practise my Hindi. These are very special friends. We talk about life, about God and stuff. We decided to meet at least once a week for an hour or two for edification. I am totally excited because it will help in my language and vision.

Funny

India is a funny place. You can either have a good laugh or get totally frustrated. It depends on how you look at it. The other day I went to the movies. Now you may know that locals use their cell phones while watching movies. By the way some of them have horrible ringtones. It is annoying but funny too. Many of them have religious ringtones. Some of them have Bollywood ringtones.  Is it possible to discern a person’s character or personality by their ringtones?

Do you know that 78 percent of Indians have a dual phone? In other words they have two sim cards in their phone.  I can’t understand the logic behind it. Many can’t afford a decent living yet they have two sim cards. Even my former watchman has two sim cards. I teased him - one sim card for his friends and the other for spying purposes. One sim card is already expensive to maintain but the thought of having two sim cards is economically draining.

Frustrating

Since I moved into a new flat, I need to apply for an internet connection. So I enquired through email with a company called reliance. They were prompt with their emails. They said it will be done in three working days. They were true to their words and did it in three days. However, when I got my bill after a month, I saw I was charged extra. They signed me up also for landline. I didn’t sign up for a combo deal. I just signed up for broadband. It took them ages to answer my calls, but when I finally got to them, they start telling me all the benefits of having a landline. At the end I said I don’t want a landline. When I use a mobile phone it is still cheaper for me. They finally said they will give me a call in 48 hours to confirm my request. I finally got that call after 120 hours; again telling me the benefits of having a landline. How crazy is this! Well I hope they sort out my request pretty quick.

Sandstorm

Within a week Lucknow had three sandstorms. I am glad I was inside my home when this storm occurred. Sand was flying everywhere. Even the rubbish and begin tossed by the wind from every angle. This was the first time ever I witnessed a sandstorm. I live beside a graveyard. I thought the grave will give up the dead, but it didn’t happen. My balcony was covered with dust and sand.

 Mid Year

As I approach mid-year, I look back my last 6 months. All I can say that even though it is tough to live in India. I appreciate little thing people do for me. I made friends with some foreigners and every fortnight we have a social evening, maybe watching movies or playing cards. It is so good for my mental health. It is good to have some refreshing time with people. I know the next 6 months will go quickly. I am looking forward to the Football world cup 2014. It is live on t.v so I will be watching some of the games. I always cheer for England but I know they won’t make it. Maybe this year will belong to Argentina.

My health

My health is ok. I feel good, I fell great. I have lost some fat content but gain some meat / muscule content. I am regularly going to the gym. It feels great after a good workout. Going to the gym is my time – away from everything happening around me.

Anyway, I better stop here and let you have a breather. Take care and God bless

Ravi