Some questions ... and my answers ::
but first ... a plea and request for you readers?
If you leave a comment and we've not communicated previously, would you kindly include your email address? I love to form bonds with you through return emails, but often time have no way of doing so. In the alternative, you can always reach me via gemgem76@gmail.com! Would love to chat!
On to the questions ...
Do you employ a driver. If so, how did you find them and find someone reliable?
We actually have two drivers. One for Todd and his work needs, and a separate driver for the kids and I. We are a busy family with our schedules with school, after-curricular activities, and I do the majority of our grocery shopping, so it is pretty necessary to have two.
We were lucky in that we acquired the staff of a family who was leaving, and Kushal has been their trustworthy driver for YEARS. We adore him and are very lucky to have him. He is kind, slow to speak, quick to react and I trust him implicity with our daily comings and goings [I will be blogging in more detail about our two drivers in the weeks to come]
There are SEVERAL avenues by which to find employees, and if you need help in the Delhi area, send me an email and I'll point you in the right direction!
What kind of television options do you have? Cable?
We have "similar channels" as what you are used to in the US (HBO for one ..) but the programming is WAY different and seemingly pretty archaic in when movies are released and played, etc. From what I've found, most seasonal tv shows (House, Greys Anatomy, 24, what have you) are all a season behind. Children's programming is also a bit selective as many of the shows are in Hindi. Our kids are glad to watch cartoons in Hindi, but you can only do that for so long :)
It tends to be a bit frustrating BUT there is really SO little time to watch TV in the first place, that I haven't missed it much at all .... you hit the ground running first thing in the morning and by the time evening comes, there is no excess energy except to fall into bed and hope you remember to get the lights turned off first!!
How many Indians speak English, or at least enough for you to communicate with them?
This is simply MY observation, but I'd guess 50% speak very good English. Enough to be able to aptly communicate without a large gap of "lost in translation" I'd say that another 25% speak very broken English ... where pencil drawings and hand motions are needed to get my request relayed.
What I typically do in the situations where communication is a barrier is simply take Kushal along and we instantly have no problems!
Will you learn to speak Hindi?
I am very interested in learning basic Hindi, but have decided to put it on the back burner until there is a time that I feel a bit more balanced and settled. I have made a list of priorities - both for the kids, for me individually, and for Todd and I. Learning the language is (honestly) near the very bottom of that list. I don't want to be ignorant and refuse to learn the language, but I know myself well enough to know that it should not and will not be a priority right now.
Having said that - I am picking up phrases and words here and there from our staff, as well as from the littles. They are like SPONGES!
