Sunday, Rainy Sunday...

The rain over the last 36 hours could best be described as "biblical", how appropriate, since today is Sunday! Last night was not so good. Hard bed, thunderstorms, no bedding, no food... nothing a little money can't fix, so today I went shopping (again). Today's choice was the "City Centre" mall. This is the largest, most modern, cleanest shopping center in Chennai. got some new pillows, blankets, dishes, snacks...

Now shopping here is rather interesting. Even in a big store, such as the ones I was in today, you always get some "help". This consists of store personnel following you around with a basket or bag, and if you pace back and forth when you shop, like I do, then they are continuously trying to get out of your way.

Unlike in the US, where you can't get anyone to help, you practically trip over these folks, only problem is that they don't speak English -- so you can't hardly ask them anything... I don't think I'll ever get used to it... I wonder what they are thinking about me?

Oops, power just went out... literally, as I am typing this. The only light in the house now is the glow from the laptop screen and blinky light on the USB Wireless ethernet card (gotta love technology). So now I am typing to you in the dark. Oh, there is the faint sound of the generator. And there it is blink... blink... lights are back on.

Ding dong... it's the caretaker. Boy, he REALLY doesn't speak any English. Near as I can tell, his name is "Morigesh", and he wants me to buy him a flashlight, which I would be happy to do, if only I knew where to get one. He has to switch the generator on manually everytime the power goes out (which has been pretty often in the last couple of days), and quite often after dark. The generator is way up in the front of the property, near the wall, which is nice, so you don't really hear it when it's running, but I'm sure having a flashlight would really help him.

Huh, power out again. I don't hear the generator any more... I know it isn't fuel, since I just filled it. Maybe he is switching it back? It has only been a few minutes. Blink come the lights again, and I still don't hear the generator, so that's good we'll save the diesel.

Ding Dong... Morigesh again. He seems to want to give me a report each time he does something, except that I don't understand him and he doesn't understand me... so I am not really sure what he is reporting. Oh well...

Well, I made it through one weekend. Hopefully Mel will at least be able to send the dog next week. I could use a little company here in this house.