Two months later...

Its been two months since we moved to Bengaluru.
So many things have happened in the past one month,so many new experiences,that its hard to write everything.
Overall,its been quiet a smooth transition.
And I atribute that to family support and help.
They always come forward and help out with whatever they can,be it babysitting kids,finding a maid/driver,finding a rental apartment or just giving tips on where to shop for groceries and daily requirements.
Setting up some things were very easy,like buying a car,washer/dryer,cell phone,etc.
But some things have been a pain.Bengaluru is the silicon valley of India,but its been a nightmare to get an internet connection.We applied for a connection a week after we landed, and we never heard from the providers for a week.Then they did the usual"I am on my way"
"I will definitely connect tomorrow"talk and delayed for another week.Finally a guy showed up and connected but it is so unreliable.It never works when we need it.
Thats the white collar workers.
Then the blue collar workers.We are renovating our existing house in whitefield,and getting labourers and contractors to do the job has been a terrible experience.Again,Blore is a popular place to invest in real estate,and homes and apartments are being built all over the place,but we are not able to find a few guys who will paint our walls and change tiles.
And don't even bother to look for somebody creative in this overly populated city for someone who can design your interiors and do a neat job.
The most efficient set of people among all I have seen are the folks at my children's school.
They have been very prompt in sending emails,confirmation letters,giving all the information at the right time,and providing uniforms,lunch menus,shoes,bus facilities,etc on time without causing any confusion.
I am very impressed with their professionalism.
Just like in U.K. people always talk about weather,people here have only two topics;rising prices and traffic.
Everyone's life revolves around the terrible traffic.
Pretty much the only subject we are discussing about while driving is about the lack of any sort of sense in the people who are on the streets.
The ones driving and the ones walking.
My husband and I as a couple,can see a slow change in our own behaviour as well.
It is a must that we park our courtesy outside the door while dealing with anybody.Being nice does not help here if you want to get work done.If we behave well,be patient and talk nice,people take us to be idiots.We tried to incorporate our politeness cultivated in U.S. by avoiding honking,being punctual,saying hello before talking to somebody,talking softly and slowly,etc.SORRY!!None of that works.
Very quickly we have learned to be loud,assertive,to the point,showing a bit of road rage while driving,take people to task by calling and yelling,and guess what??
Its working!!:)