Catching up!

We still haven't got internet connection from Tata Indicom...the misery continues.

The great hunt for the car is over. After surveying the market, and taking a few test drives, we have settled in for Ford Fiesta. We expect the car this weekend. There's an agency (janavahana) that arranges drivers for those in need...like us! The service is pricey by Indian standards (Rs 5k pm), but it comes with peace of mind.

We have our living room furniture, the beds are still on order. For now, we have more or less settled into a daily rythm. Vallabh is going to a swimming class (which he hates btw). The summer is starting to make it known...the temps are in the high 80s (relatively high for Bangalore).

Anu's mom is leaving next week to Chennai. Sudha and Skanda are visiting Bangalore tomorrow - we are eager to meet them.

The mango season is in full swing...the fruit is delicious - can't believe how long we missed it!!!

Getting an internet connection in Bangalore

The choices of internet providers are abound. The list has all the popular names - BSNL (Govt), Tata Indicom (VSNL), Hathway, AirtelT, Reliance etc.

The types of plans offered can be quite confusing - like cellphone plans. Plans can be volume based (download GBs), time based (hours), Speed (64-512KB) or a combination of all.

One can get a connection in less than a week if the provider offers internet in the area. A quick phone call brings the rep to your door within 24 hours. It takes a day to determine if the area is serviced by the provider. If yes, the connection is made within 2-3 days.

Unfortunately for us, most of the providers don't offer service in the building we're in. This is because it's a new community. We hope to get hooked up to the net in another week - lets see!

Last night at Halcyon, Bangalore

We are moving to our apartment tomorrow. Anu and her mom have been setting up the place over the past few days. All our stuff have arrived from US - lots of unopened and opened boxes.

We paid Vallabh's school fees and got his admit card in PSBB Learning Leadership Academy. The school bldg is still unfinished and we've been promised it'll be ready before school starts in June.

Today, the washing machine was hooked up. Also got the gas cylinder for kitchen. The phone should've been hooked up today - but everything came to a grinding halt with Dr. Rajkumar (movie actor) passing away today.

All offices and shops were closed on hearing the news. There's hardly any traffic on the road - everyone's got indoors fearing riots. Onour way

home today, we saw huge nets in front of Forum Mall to stop rocks from breaking the glass structure and windows. Interesting challenges!!

We're enjoying our last day at Halcyon - the temporary housing provided by Trilogy. The service here has been exceptional and the staff extremely friendly.

The kids have been glued to the TV all the time - getting all the channels and cartoons...and some more. It's going to be interesting when we move to our apartment since we have not purchased a TV.


Vallabh met a few friends today at the apartment - Vidhyutha, Daisy and Pranav.

Settling in...

We've started to unpack and set up the new apartment while still living in the company provided guest house in Koramangla. Our air shipment arrived earlier this week and everything was intact. The kids now have more toys, and we have few more pairs of clothes. Our sea shipment has been delayed clearance due to a bank strike. Hope to get them delivered next week.

Big things this week:

• Anu's mom arrived from Pune to help us with the move. The kids now have a great company, and we're breathing a sigh of relief.
• Vallabh got through the selection process at two schools and we've decided to put him in PSBB Learning Leadership Academy on Bannergheta Road. It's a bit expensive, but we have had the best experience with among the schools we've seen. The school is approx 3 km from our apartment - still a 30 mins drive. Class start in June.
• The Refrig, Washing m/c and stove were delivered.
• Getting a gas connection has been interesting - we haven't got one yet. To provide a gas connection (cylinder), the reputed companies need the 'ration card' as a proof of residence. A gas voucher is required to get a fresh ''ration card' issued - go figure! For now, we are planning to borrow a cylinder from a friend and *work* on getting a ration card.
• We've finally connected our Vonage today. The 925- number should be active for another week , and then we've to try it at the new apt. We plan to move in on Apr 12
• Getting phone and internet connections have also been quite easy, if you go with a private provider. We've placed an order for Phone (landline) with Tata Telecom, and i-net DSL with Airtel
• The great hunt for furniture is on...

The ubiquitous cellphone

The first thing you get asked is your cellphone number, even before your name. Everyone has one! Although getting a cellphone is pretty easy, it didn't quite feel that way at first. Here's how you go about it:

1. You need to get an equipment (which fits with pretty much all providers). This could run from Rs. 2,000 thru Rs. 30,000. Once you get the equipment, you are in the game.

2. Decide if you want to go pre-paid or post-paid.

3. Pre-paid is easy. Just walk into any street shop and ask for a SIM card. It'll cost you approx Rs. 400 for 100 mins. The shop keeper activates it right there (by calling on his cellphone - no surprises there). You can be on your way in 5 minutes.

4. Post paid needs paperwork, but it's just a breeze as well. All you need is a photo id, picture and address proof. If you need long-distance access, you'll be asked to furnish Salary details. The rep visits your office or home to take the order and gives you the card right there. It takes a day to activate.

My office building in Bangalore. We've two floors in this bldg. If you run through the names of offices along this road, you'll find every name in Bay Area. Just goes to show how much globalization has spread.

Neighborhood rates

Would you believe if I told you a luxury apartment cost more than Rs. 100,000 per month(~$2,500) ? You better...Acropolis, near Dairy Circle.

The Forum Mall
This is round the corner from my office and the ultimate weekend destination for the local crowd. There's 4 floors of parking, tons of shops and restaurants...and even a 12 screen movie theater.

I went to Pizza Hut (which btw looks nothing like the original) the other day with my colleagues. There are over 30 Pizzas on the menu with all the Indian flavors you can imagine - even saw Pepperoni - a no-no for the local crowd. You ring a bell in the front of the restaurant if the service was good. No tips..just ring...ring...ring.

Our UK visit was short and sweet in spite of the freezing temps and constant rain. London is a great city. It's a miniature of US - the roads are narrower and not as neat. And then....the language!

The first 3 weeks in Bangalore

Can't believe we've been in Bangalore for less than 3 weeks! The settling in has been quite smooth and comfortable. All of us have kept good health so far...haven't really ventured out to try the restaurants or local water. The first time we did, Anu was down for 2 days.

We have found an apartment which is about 7kms from my place of work. The apt complex has excellent facilities. The roads are not near as good. More about this later. Our stuff will be delivered in the next 2-3 days at this new apartment.

Vallabh went for an evaluation (test) at the Oxford School in JP Nagar yesterday. Today, he went to PSBB Leadership academy for a similar evaluation. We hope to finalize the school in the next week.

Today we went and purchased a refrigerator, washing machine and cooking stove. We've to start looking for furniture.

Trilogy has been great. I've managed to keep a US like schedule at work.

We are put up at the Halcyon in Koramangla. The facilities are outstanding.