Settling in.

In India, Model is pronounced Modal, but either way it is where Navjot finally found a place to live while he studies. Our house is a part of a large complex of homes. There is a two story home under us and there are at least 3 other homes around us which form the complex. Our façade, stairs, and the most of the balcony are all marble, along with floors, counters, and bathrooms. Marble is very cool to the touch and helps keep the heat out. Our ceilings are about 15 feet high, and I think, though I don’t know for sure, that helps keep the house cool too. During the day, when the sun is broiling hot (in early Feb- wow) the temperature indoors is at least 15 degrees cooler.
We also have a rooftop made of marble, and on the rooftop sits a small living place designed as servant’s quarters. Two enormous, aluminum-shiny water tanks mark the highest point of the house. The rooftop is bare except for the laundry line Nav hung up, a small wall faucet, and a bucket. Our rooftop is a little higher that the surrounding rooftops, so I get prime spying rights into the events and intrigues going on with our neighbors. So far, my reconnaissance has turned up lines of drying laundry and men working on building projects on two of the rooftops. When those projects are complete their rooftops will be higher, and my reign as spy-queen will be over. The expression, “All good things must come to an end,” certainly rings true here! (hahaha)
It was on the rooftop where I began my cleaning spree with buckets of water and a squeegee. It took about an hour to squeegee all the water over to a corner drain. I enjoyed the physical work. If a shirt falls off the line, it won’t have to be washed again.
My indoor work has included scrubbing down the kitchen counters, which were a little neglected, storing my things in our two large storage—units—(I am not aware of the names this furniture would have,) and re-organizing Nav’s closets. I also dusted all the furniture in the house, and all of the woodwork inside and out.
My current project is learning to become faster at ironing. Today it took me an hour to iron 2 shirts and an Indian suit, and the suit is still not done—yikes!
On the academic/leisure end, I finally finished reading The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follet. It was around 970 pages, and it took longer than I thought it would to read!
Early yesterday morning I went running for the first time at a nearby park. Parks and the houses of the extremely wealthy are the only areas of beauty in this city. Old, dirty buildings surround the few tall, modern shopping buildings in our neighborhood. When Navjot and I walk, sometimes I am able to steal a few glances towards the buildings and shops lining the streets; they look filthy, disorderly, ancient, neglected and decrepit. I will try to post a photo, but I will have to be brave enough to stand still for a minute to take the photo. Walking people, bikes, rickshaws, motorcycles, cars, and pony-driven carts are always coming at me!
This park also has a volleyball net with a dirt court. All I need is to get a ball, draw some lines, and find some people to play with….wish me luck there, especially with finding people!
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Till next time….