It can drive you crazy

June 4, 2016

Our new driver Rahul started Thursday. He is extremely cautious making us both nervous which is rather funny. He drives slowly but we think this is because he is learning a new vehicle and he is new to us. After three days he seems more relaxed but Ron isn’t. In India drivers drive VERY close to other vehicles, pedestrians, cows, etc. So today I suggested Ron sit in the back where he can’t see as much and I sat in the front seat. It helped. Since Rahul works full time it means he sits around the house when not driving. This being India he usually sits outside although I have told him he may sit inside and that he won’t disturb me. This being India he insists on using the servants toilet outside.

It is wonderful being able to go out and be in the comfort of an air conditioned car versus a hot auto rickshaw. No worries about having the right change to pay the fare or someone who doesn’t speak English to understand where I want to go, etc. It has reduced our stress in those ways.

Today is Saturday so we decided to have a play day. Ron had a meeting this morning at 11:00 with his co-worker who has returned from her month of travel in the US. Rahul and I picked Ron up and we went to lunch then went to the Tribal Museum which was closed although the website said it was opened all day. So we decided to go to a government run craft emporium to see what crafts were available here. It had the accordion door closed three-quarters of the way down. Its website also said it was open all day today. Can’t believe everything you read! So we ended up at Crossword Bookstore which had no crossword books for adults. Bummer. We did find a better street map although it only lists major roads but it is better than the map we have that was published 17 years ago!

When Kamla and I first got together, Sankar said to be in perfect English ‘your new best friend’. When I told Kamla she said ‘for life’. My new best friend for life thought she had sciatica and found out it is much more serious and will probably require back surgery that will involve a rod and screws to support her spine. She is quite anxious. I went to visit her yesterday. She was taking a medication that made her sleep much of the day. I visited for about 20 minutes until more relatives came to see her. She is basically bed ridden for now so no more cooking. Her husband said “I am worried about my wife’. I said I was also. ‘Kamla is the engine of the house’. She really does take care of so many things there, not the least of which is cooking three meals a day for her family.

At the same time Sankar decided to bring his mother here from his village for her to get diagnosed. Apparently she also is having back pain and other issues. She has been hospitalized and is having various tests done to determine what is going on. Hopefully they will find out soon.