Himalayan Winter Holiday!

After a crazy day of doing last minute things in preparation for our holiday (getting passport pictures done, sorting out our flights (our original flight was cancelled and they put us on the WAITING list of another flight - not cool!) and buying sky jackets (not an easy thing to find in India!), we finally got to bed around 11:30pm last night and set our alarms for 3:30am. Husband was asleep within seconds. Usually its a race to see who can get to sleep first because the other person has to endure the snoring and twitches that starts.

I didn't sleep a wink. I really needed to pee the whole night, but not quite badly enough to actually get out of bed. So I laid there thinking about the things that I'd forgotten to pack, absolutely petrified that I'd forget them when I woke up. By 3 am I was so stressed out, I decided to just get up. I tip-toed out and made breakfast and wrote down my final check list. I'm absolutely exhausted but meh, I can sleep on the plane! I'll be that annoying passenger who sleeps and drools on their neighbour's shoulder. There's always one of those :)

Anyway, this will be my last post of 2011! See you all in the new year!

My Nemesis

They went nuts on my pinky

Mosquitoes. I hate them, and I made my feelings known last night. I told them I feel used. They treat me like an all-you-can-eat buffet during the night, then taunt me by being the first thing I see when I wake up. “Oh good morning Jen. Slept well? Boy, I’m so full. Me and my buddies got you good last night! Yeah, those bites are gonna be really itchy. Goodluck trying not to scratch them.”

I’d had enough. Like Anakin from Star Wars III, I went on a killing rampage. None were spared – young, old, male, female. I squished them all!

This is what our neighbours would have heard:

Clap...clap

Joe shouting: “Did you get it?! Look, it’s behind you!! There!! Get it!”

more clapping...

pause...

cheering.

The pause being when I checked my palms/the wall/door/whatever I squished the offending mosquito against.

There’s a moment of satisfaction when you see that you’ve got one, especially if it’s got blood in it. But that’s quickly replaced with the realisation you’ve just made a mess and you’ll have to wipe all the guts off before it dries and sticks to the wall permanently. I've left a few carcasses on the wall as a warning to the mozzies to stay away. I'll let you know if it works. 

Feeling a little flat today Mr Mosquito?

Shower Advice

I was having a shower - not really exciting news in itself I know (unless you happen to be my husband). But it was hair washing day. I love hair washing day. I like to pretend I'm a model for a tv commercial. You know - in slow motion you scrunch the shampoo through your hair and then smile like it's the best thing you've ever done. Or when you make a mohawk with the shampoo. That's fun too. Anyway, part way through my shower, the water pressure began to drop. I knew exactly what was happening. You see, they have water shortages here in Mumbai, and when you least expect it, they'll just shut off the water supply. It's happened a couple of times while I was in the middle of doing the dishes. Not that I minded. I hate doing the dishes. But I did mind when I had a head full of shampoo! I had mere seconds to try and get the suds out as the shower became a slow dribble. In the end, I had my head pressed against the wall trying to catch  the last little drips.... and then ... there was no more. If my life had a sound track, there would be a sad orchestral piece playing as I gazed up at the now dry and solemn shower head. A tear rolled down my face. Not really. But it will in the movie they make about my life.

So, should you ever come to stay, here are some key points to follow:

1. Either shower EARLY or LATE.
You can never tell what time the geniuses controlling the water supply are going to switch it off but it's generally after 11am. And it's usually back on by 5 or 6pm. So plan to shower before 10am or after 7pm and you should be ok. No promises.

2. Have everything ready to go - when you decide to have a shower, it's like a game of chance. If you've followed rule number 1, you've increased your odds of making it the whole way through without being interrupted mid act. Still, you don't want to delay shampooing or whatever any longer than you have to. Have the bottles there and ready and once it's on the hair, lather lather lather, then rinse as soon as possible.

3. Have a towel within handy reach. You don't want to be walking around the house with your bits on show looking for one! Most likely you'll have to pass an open window, and if you do, you can pretty much bet someone will be looking in at that precise moment.

The view from my bedroom window.
He likes to look in. A lot.
Whoever invented curtains, thank you!

4. Keep your mouth shut!! I know its nice to tilt your head back and have the water wash over your face and let your mouth hang open. Don't! The water is dirty and you don't want to end up like Charlotte from the Sex & The City movie do you?! If you have even a tiny sip, I guarantee your bum won't leave the toilet for a week! I'll be telling you I told you so while passing you extra loo paper.

5. Unless you have a cracking hot water system, say goodbye to a steamy, hot shower. Embrace the fact that the water will be whatever temperature it wants to be.

6. Don't forget your feet! You'll be surprised how dirty they can get after just a quick walk outside in flip-flops. And it's the kind of dirt that stays stuck to your feet unless you scrub them really well.

7. If the water starts pooling at your feet it's time to get your husband/someone else to get all the crud and hair that's blocking the drain. You won't want to touch it. ...even if it is most likely all your hair clogging things up. My motto is: once it's not attached to me, it's not mine. So when people say, is that your hair in my food, I say nope. Even if it is dark brown and everyone else is blonde. I can't be held responsible for what my hair does after it leaves me. Goodness.

Discovering the local markets

So it's the final episode of Walking Dead for another 3 months and I couldn't stop crying. Until Joe suggested we go do some shopping.


I love shopping. ANY kind of shopping. Even if its just for capsicums! Usually we'll pop out every night around 6 or 7 for ingredients for dinner. With local fruit and veg stalls just down the road, it takes no time at all and it's better than buying a whole bunch of vegetables that gets forgotten and starts to rot in the bottom of your fridge until your neighbours think you're hiding a dead body.

Anyway, today I wanted to share some pictures of the local markets with you all

They love to smile for the camera!

For when your mum refuses to clean your shoes for you anymore and you're too lazy to do it yourself.

Freshly squeeze Sugar Cane - for those who want diabetes.
Actually these guys called out to me and INSISTED that I take a photo of them and
got all excited when I showed them the picture. It was so cute!

Linking Road - apparently one of the top 5 places to shop in all Mumbai
I'm about as impressed as that girl in the purple.
So far no where beats Bangkok for shopping, especially when your dad is the 'Master Bargainer' and speaks Thai :)

This picture just makes me sad. At first I felt sorry for them having to live in such a horrible, dirty, unhygienic environment... then I saw the number of TV satellites (there were hundreds!) I suppose they don't want to miss a single episode of The Walking Dead either...
Can you spot the kids playing on the roof?

Not a great photo but I think the little boy's outfit is kinda cute!
He looked just like his dad. 

Chicken curry!
Sad to say, it looked the same on its way out too...
(oh you were hoping I wouldn't go there huh!?!)

It's very important to distinguish between the seeds and the flies before putting a slice in your mouth.

A chef preparing the roti for the restaurant.
I lost my appetite though when he scratched him bum, then touched the bread.

Ok, I'm done uploading pictures now. 
Bai!

Here's to the freakn weekend...I'll drink to that!

We've had a busy weekend consisting of far too much alcohol (I swear I'm never drinking again! At least until next weekend), lots of dancing, great food and of course, the best part - making friends with other drunkards!

I'm just going to post a whole bunch of pictures because I'm too hungover to type anything literate.

Friday night - we were off to check out Volare in Colaba and the cheapest and quickest way is by train
Here's Josiah hanging out the train just like the locals do
It's also a common way they die.

We caught the express train which meant we arrived VERY early (like before the restaurant was even officially open!) but they let us in.
I didn't waste any time getting stuck into their drinks list! Free drinks for the ladies..I'll say cheers to that!

Joe's fake beer (it's for men who like cocktails but don't want anyone else to know)

My first drink of the night. I have no idea what it was.

Dinner round 1 - chicken caesar salad

The grossest chocolate shake ever!! Glad I didn't have to pay for it!

Peri Peri Chicken with Garlic Mayonnaise - delicious! 
Had to fight Josiah for the last piece. 
He may have lost an eye in the struggle

Next round - a cosmo for me and a LIIT for Josiah

Judging by the look on my face, I think you can see they were definitely not mocktails

The music during dinner was so random!!
They played country, rap, top 40 plus some good old John Denver!

Our last dish - sicillian garlic chicken. It was SO tasty!

Drink number ... I don't know anymore...

Josiah's Strawberry Thing - Devine!!

We settled the bill and were thinking of leaving. We got as far as the bar...

and I decided that I should have one last cosmo for the road. 

So we never made it out the door.
One cosmo became 2, then 3
then they just kept coming!

I can't remember their names or how we even met them.
But they were drunk and so were we!

This guy beat me for the 'drunkest person in the club' award

These guys rocked!
By the end of the night, I'd just walk up to the bar and without having to ask, they'd start making me a cosmo.

Saturday was spent recovering which pretty much means lying in bed trying to forget all those embarrassing things you did the night before. Did I really break a cocktail glass while trying to climb onto the bar? Wasn't that just a horrible horrible dream? No?! Ugh. 


Anyway, by Saturday afternoon we were feeling much better and we decided we needed a new camera lens for our upcoming Christmas Holidays in Sikkim (so excited for it!!). We caught a train to CST station and found a legit Canon store with the exact lens we wanted for about 30% less than the price in Australia. Lets just hope it doesn't fall to bits within the first week!

the beautiful CST station

Next we caught a taxi to Marine Drive, the place where I get to act as a creepy tourist and take pictures of couples trying to have a romantic moment together. 

Marine Drive - Mumbai's place for romance

Indians don't really approve of PDA, but you wouldn't know it if you went to this place.
Some of the groping I saw reminded me of  "3am in the back of the taxi" sort of thing!

Back at home we got ready for our night at the Red Ant. One of the guys we met at Volare (the one with the glasses) had a friend who was DJing at the Red Ant and invited us along. We were only planning to stay a little while, but you know how it goes...you're having fun, you've got a drink in your hand and life is good. Before you know it you're drunk and dancing like a slut again! Just as I was perfecting my sprinkler dance move, it struck 1am, the lights came on, the music stopped and the nice waitstaff turned into crazed piranhas snapping at anyone who wasn't making their way out the door. I miss the days of dancing until dawn! 


I'll finish with a great recipe Josiah and I thought up. It's pretty lengthy, so try to keep up...
1) get strawberries, cream, vodka and ice
2) mix in a blender until smooth
3) say cheers, drink and wait for effects!

Cream - a strawberry's best friend!

Delicious!

A day in the life of Josiah

So instead of writing about what a typical day is like for me, I thought why not take a craptonne of pictures instead?! After all, they say a picture is worth a thousand words!

Up at 6:30am! I start the day with a cup of strong coffee in my favourite mug which I never wash, as you can see. 
I like to do my part for conserving water

Essential working equipment - biscuits, coffee and a computer!

With all the construction work going on outside I'm not sure how she stays asleep!
Maybe she pretends to be sleeping whenever I walk in so she doesn't have to get up...

Just hanging up the washing, you know, in our hallway. 

Jen's off to go exploring on her own...
hmm must be coffee time again yes?

Yes!!
then more work ...... zzzzz....

Lunch Time!! Only $4 for the BEST woodfire pizza...With free garlic bread and drink....Delivered.
Beat that Dominos Australia! 

Jen's back! A coffee for her and Me

Finished work for the day! Time to go out and explore the markets!
This is a picture of our street.
 Inspite of all the traffic you can see, it's actually considered a quiet suburban road!

A hit and run! This guy was pushing his vegetable cart along our road and got clipped by another vehicle. I helped by holding onto the cart so it didn't roll away down the street while he grabbed his vegetables off the dirty ground.
I hope whoever buys the spinach gives it a good wash before eating them!

Hold on tight, it's dodgem rickshaws 

3 near misses later (no exaggeration there) and we finally make it to our destination.
Only 11 Rupees (20 cents)!

The markets are always so colourful! 

This game is what I like to call - where's Jen?
Or as Jen likes to call it - 'how much stuff can you fit into a shop?!'

A vegetarian Zombie's feast - graaaaains

Pasta, anyone?

Getting lost in the markets...

a CHICKOO!

Jen's comment: it's like a rainbow in a shop :D

Walking down to Carter Road, we pass one of the slums of Mumbai...

Before heading home we stopped in at my favourite yoghurt store for some Berry Frozen Yoghurt - my current obsession!

Another crazy ride back

Back home! This is our security guard. He likes to talk to us in Hindi, but since  we can't really understand him, we just nod and smile and say Thank You. He probably thinks we're idiots.

It's 9pm - the perfect time for making strawberry walnut cheesecake!

Jen volunteered to do the washing up!

How do you finish off a great night? By chilling out with some ZOMBIES!