Faster Than The Speed of Shiva

It's hard to believe it is already Saturday.

The speed of Shiva went into turbo this week, letting Marie and I hop on its dizzying ride. But, it is now time, on this tranquil and sunny morning, to get back to my narrator's duties and resume what has happened in these past few days.

The first part of the week was dedicated to checking out all the fabric stores in the city that Uma had recommended to us. Thanks to her, we were able to see that what they call here "Boutiques" do exist and do have some interesting material to offer to their clients. However, Marie and I agreed that compared to the lay-out, the service and the quality of the fabrics, "Ethnic Weaves" was really the store that topped them all off.

We went buzzing around in our superflies, from one part of town to another and, we discovered that, although we love rickshaw rides, it isn't that comfortable and it isn't an ideal representation of a certain business standard. We talk of buying a car....

In the midst of all this grudging sightseeing and fabric hunting (joke), we also make a point to do some administrative detours. Hence, on Monday we also have the opportunity to meet with the M. Mouli in order to give him an idea of what is going on with us and if, by chance, amongst his clients, he doesn't have any that are in the textile business. To which he, as always, kindly makes all sorts of calls to his contacts and checks things out for us. He will have names for us on Wednesday. Perfect! We were planning on coming back to the bank that same day to pay the rent. Marie and I adore this man! Even though we are aware that he is doing all this out of a certain interest, we still sense he is one of our most precious allies.

To top off Monday, Asianet comes by in order to install the modem on our laptop. Hurray you might say. Well, don't be so sure because the technicians realize that the computer is an Apple. They have no training in Apple. Asianet has to send an expert. He will come tomorrow (Tuesday). But, Marie and I do not lose hope : the cables are installed, the modem is set up...

The force of internet will come to us this week!!!!!!!!!

Off to the bank. While waiting for our appointment with M. Mouli, we start talking to Sreejith, a lovely and friendly bank officer. For some reason, we ask him if he knows of a car rental service, figuring we can lease a car on a monthly basis and hire a driver. He has even better for us. The bank works with a tour operator that does car leasing which includes driver, gas and insurance. All for a very good price. He sets up an appointment for us for that afternoon.

We are then taken to M. Mouli's office where we are offered contacts galore on a platter. For instance, the phone number of his sister-in-law who knows very good stitchers. Bingo! as we are looking for stitchers who would work impeccably on our clothes.

Thursday. Many errands to run. We find out that Bina will be in town today but, when?

The internet expert still hasn't come so, with the car service, we set off to Asianet's headquarters. They know who we are! (figures, with all the calling and complaining we had done....ha). The expert will come tomorrow, Friday.

We set off to IDEA Mobile in order to set up the internet connection on the cellphone. For that, we would have to go to the main office. Will have to be tomorrow.

We get a call from Uma's sister, Lakshmi, asking us when Bina could stop by the house. As we are out and about, it will have to be late afternoon.

We come back home, tired but feeling very fulfilled with all that was taken care of.

Marie and I realize how easy and pleasant it is to have the driving service. Not only is it more comfortable in terms of seating, you do not feel the many holes in the roads, you are not at nose level with the bus' exhaust pipe and we have windows big enough to see the outside world.

Bina and Uma arrive around 6. We are anxiously awaiting her reactions of how we rearranged the house. We are pleased to see that she notices the great care we have given it. We have a very friendly chat for about an hour and, as a way of closing this pleasant evening, Bina finally reveals to us the famous lighting of the lamp ritual in the temple.

The house can now fully be.

Today was a purely administrative. An Apple "expert" came in the morning to set up the internet settings on the laptop. It seems to work but Marie is skeptical on what he has done; Apple is very particular and all settings have to be put in manually. Indeed, later in the evening we discover that all the settings have to be put in all over again.

However, we have been able to install the GPRS system on the mobile. We went to the IDEA headquarters and spent a good hour and half dealing with the internet set-up. We can now browse the web anywhere in India and get MSN Messenger. The only unfortunate thing is the size of the screen; it isn't that practical.

Marie and I have the impression to be a three legged dog; everything is almost there to make the animal complete.