Alex's dream moustache.


FIRST DAYS IN INDIA

We arrived in Vellore 3 days ago. The plane trip via Dubai was long, approximately 24 hours, and the journey from Chennai to Vellore around 2.5 hours. It was hard to recall that last part as we were both nodding off. This was a testament to our driver as the Indian roads are populated not only by cars but also by cows, goats, and lots of dogs with teats.
We arrived in Vellore late morning and were taken directly to our apartment. The building was just recently completed. Our first morning, we were awaken by several buzzes. Apparently, no one knew we were living there, and they wanted to clean our apartment. Apparently, the first guy didn't tell the next two as we were buzzed again and again. Later we awoke and went outside to find a cut ribbon at our building entrance and 50 people outside drinking coffee and socializing. Without our knowledge, that morning was the building's opening ceremonies.

The structure is of block construction, and seems to stay pretty cool during the day despite the heat. The studio is simple but clean and has a small kitchen, bathroom, built-in shelving, and a porch. We were provided with a bed frame, chairs, and a table, but needed to purchase some essentials like a mattress and cooking items. After a brief nap on our bed frame, we were off with our driver in search of provisions. In a short time, we bought a mattress for 500 rupees (about $12), and after sleeping on it for several nights, it's worth that much. We also found a local appliance store which sold us our refrigerator, stove top, and a sautee pan. Even though their space was the size of walk-in closet, they said they will sell us anything that we need, and after our refrigerator was delivered to us at 10:00 p.m. by a man bearing it on his back, I believe them.

Most of our days have been spent procuring the basics: cell phones, basic food items, and clothes. We get around town via bus or auto rickshaw. As far as I can tell, there are no traffic laws, and I have only seen one stop light in the entire city. Through controlled chaos, everyone seems to navigate and avoid each other. We managed to find some local stores to support our daily needs. About a 1/2 kilometre away is the Bed, Bath, and Beyond equivalent. It's about the size of a convenience store, but they have just about everything. As far as we can tell, it is entirely run off of child labor with the exception of a fat man with a moustache who runs the register. Down the street is our local Home Depot. At 5 feet wide and 20 feet deep, I don't think it has any Weber Grills or John Deere lawnmowers, but they do have nails of various sizes, and used hammers packed in new boxes. For 50 rupees (about $1.25) I couldn't complain. However, when I got home to find that every wall in our apartment was made of concrete block, those shoddy nails were no good, and the hammer head nearly came off trying to install a few hooks.

Food in India is equally convenient. Originally we thought that we would have to give up luxuries like home delivery such as Fresh Direct or PeaPod. Not so. Just last night the "Egg Man" knocked on our door. Every few days he will stop by and provide us with fresh eggs. They are so fresh that the chicken hair is still on them. Nearby is our local supermarket, the Harish Food Zone. It too is similar to the size of a Mobil Mart, but it suprisingly holds a variety of items including Barilla pasta, Kellogs Cornflakes, and a hell of a lot of chick peas. When you go to the register there is someone to help you take the items out of your cart, bag them, and take them to your auto rickshaw.

By running these errands, I have learned more about the place where we will live and the people here. For a small town Vellore has resources, mainly the Christian Medical College where Jeeyung will be working, but poverty is ubiquitous, and the city's lack of infrastructure (i.e. no sewers or trash pick-up) has a profound impact on western eyes and noses. The rivers are literally a catch-all for every kind of waste, and the streets are piled with refuse. The locals somehow are able to trod through it all barefoot.




Building 814 (our new home)


Balcony View


"Living Room"


"Master Bedroom"


Kitchen (with custom concrete countertops)


Sub-Zero fridge


Master bath (note: small spigot next to toilet is good for dirty feet but is intended as substitute for toilet paper. a toilet paper holder is not provided)



Poland Spring Water and flammable cooktop.

Main drag in Vellore.