A couple months later ...

It has been almost two months since we landed in India. Much has happened in this time.

We have now hired cook. So, now, our direct/indirect employees include two drivers, a boy who cleans and runs errands, a cook, and a nanny. Next, I need to hire someone who stands with a napkin ready to wipe my nose whenever I sneeze.

We are certainly living the life of the other half. However, life has not been easy in spite of these luxuries.

We just moved apartments. The service company at the previous place was taking us for a royal ride! The provided us with an apartment, but getting any service to go with it was like pulling teeth. It has only been two days at the new place and we have not even fully unpacked, but already, I feel at peace with life.

On the work front, I am still working really long hours (60+ per week), with little to show for it. I am fatigued, tired, stressed - but hopeful that the next four months will be much better.

A few lessons I have learnt:

Lesson One: Ask three people

Don't do anything, even as simple as buying clothes without asking three people advice on how, where, when, etc. In a society where you do not have better business bureau, web forums, etc., your aunt's neighbor's brother-in-law's recommendation can be your saviour. People are not just willing to help, but positively offended, if you don't ask them.

Lesson Two: Appearances matter

They may not matter to you. However, remember that others are judging you constantly by the house you live in, the clothes you wear, the title you carry at work, your body language, and even how much you pay your cook. Unfortunately, I am still not sure what opinions one may form from the above information - only that they find these important clues in judging a person.

Lesson Three: Interdependence, not Independence

Your life is made a lot easier by others. Do not grudge the interdependence that affords you those luxuries. Your aunt will know your rental agent and bargain a discount on your rent, your driver will find the way out from the traffic jam that you would never be able to inch out of, your neighbor will pick up your kids from school when you are stuck at work, and some one you don't even know will direct your old uncle to your home. However, in return, do not expect to be able live your life without those people. Be graceful when your driver asks you why you need a cook and a nanny, your aunt asks you how much you earn, your neighbor asks(expects) you to donate to her favorite charity, or a stranger asks your kid where you live.