As a person that has traveled around quite a lot, that has lived in several countries and a person that has already packed all her meager possessions in few luggages and boxes to move to a new country few times before, I already knew I will have to pass some difficult weeks before the good days started. I knew it and I am not surprised of what's happening to me. But it does not make it in the least easier just because I knew.
Jet-lag is a bitch! Anyone that has ever done a long distance trip knows that. So, I was coming with the intention to take it easy on myself the first few days. Maybe just get to know town (ha! didn't I know we are talking about an 10.3 million hab. Metropolis?), walk around (ha ha! again, what the h...l was I thinking?) and take a massage (that, I actually did) But I am a restless woman and I feel so impatient to get to know all I need to know... I could not just sit in the sofa and relax.
Arriving on a Sunday 5am local time, Monday 9am I was already participating to my first induction training at work (as I said, a restless woman) and figuring out how so not easy all things were going to be here for me.
My first readjustment consisted on an astonishing new system of record keeping and bureaucracy that I had never experienced before. Not even in my times as an Erasmus student, when I had to fill all these forms and papers for the University and the EU, did I have to deal with so much paperwork (L'auberge Espagnole from Cedric Klapisch comes to mind. For anyone that hasn't seen this movie, half of it describes my life right now, the other half is an absolute bliss of fun). The catch here is that every form must be filled by duplicate, signed, stamped and picture pasted and signed and stamped as well. Plus in order to get Residency Permit, I need Form C and HR confirmation Letter. PAN form was not mandatory but also requested. PAN form requires again Form C and a bank account details. For a Bank account I am asked for PAN ID (that comes after PAN form is accepted) and FRRO Residency Permit, which is also asked in order to get a local mobile number. But without a mobile or money I have not means to search a home so that HR can confirm my location to the FRRO office for Residency permit and.... Honestly, first few days it felt like I will never manage! (Residency Permit is now done by using temporary residency, which means I will have to go through it all over again once I change my address, and for all the rest everything is still an on going never-ending-story)
Unnecessary to say, this town has many many more adjustments and surprises to offer. A big part of them are common and expected from such a big city, but with an added hint of india-only marvel. One clear example is the traffic and roads in here. Let me ask you... How many goats can one fit in a rickshaw? So far, I have seen 7. How many family members in a 125cc bike? So far, I've counted 5. How many times an ambulance almost runs you over while crossing the street during your first week? The very first and only time that I had to cross a road in search of very desired groceries (St Dafour apricot jam was totally worth the scare, by the way)
The toughest part so far: not being able to freely walk and dress whenever and wherever I might want to. Instead, I spend my evenings in my room, a bit scared that "the danger time" has already arrived and a bit in shock by the size and long distances of everything here. Second toughest, maintain a delusional hope that I might find non-spicy food in outings nearby. I have even shyly started cooking and I can only share one thought, how am I going to cook in a country where I cannot find just plain salt without it being mixed with chilli!!??? OMG, I'm on for a fun ride, I can see.
But do not worry too much for me, I am still very happy that I took the decision to come here, very enthusiastic and looking forward the weeks and months to come. Plus I am certain that as soon as I have settled in a nice apartment and learned a bit how to navigate this immense town, I will start having such a great fun!
PS. One more Quiz. How many people within an office can one "loud, rude, tall European foreigner" offend in the small lapse time of just two weeks? It looks like a few more that goats and a bit less than school children can be found on a rickshaw.
Jet-lag is a bitch! Anyone that has ever done a long distance trip knows that. So, I was coming with the intention to take it easy on myself the first few days. Maybe just get to know town (ha! didn't I know we are talking about an 10.3 million hab. Metropolis?), walk around (ha ha! again, what the h...l was I thinking?) and take a massage (that, I actually did) But I am a restless woman and I feel so impatient to get to know all I need to know... I could not just sit in the sofa and relax.
Arriving on a Sunday 5am local time, Monday 9am I was already participating to my first induction training at work (as I said, a restless woman) and figuring out how so not easy all things were going to be here for me.
My first readjustment consisted on an astonishing new system of record keeping and bureaucracy that I had never experienced before. Not even in my times as an Erasmus student, when I had to fill all these forms and papers for the University and the EU, did I have to deal with so much paperwork (L'auberge Espagnole from Cedric Klapisch comes to mind. For anyone that hasn't seen this movie, half of it describes my life right now, the other half is an absolute bliss of fun). The catch here is that every form must be filled by duplicate, signed, stamped and picture pasted and signed and stamped as well. Plus in order to get Residency Permit, I need Form C and HR confirmation Letter. PAN form was not mandatory but also requested. PAN form requires again Form C and a bank account details. For a Bank account I am asked for PAN ID (that comes after PAN form is accepted) and FRRO Residency Permit, which is also asked in order to get a local mobile number. But without a mobile or money I have not means to search a home so that HR can confirm my location to the FRRO office for Residency permit and.... Honestly, first few days it felt like I will never manage! (Residency Permit is now done by using temporary residency, which means I will have to go through it all over again once I change my address, and for all the rest everything is still an on going never-ending-story)
Unnecessary to say, this town has many many more adjustments and surprises to offer. A big part of them are common and expected from such a big city, but with an added hint of india-only marvel. One clear example is the traffic and roads in here. Let me ask you... How many goats can one fit in a rickshaw? So far, I have seen 7. How many family members in a 125cc bike? So far, I've counted 5. How many times an ambulance almost runs you over while crossing the street during your first week? The very first and only time that I had to cross a road in search of very desired groceries (St Dafour apricot jam was totally worth the scare, by the way)
The toughest part so far: not being able to freely walk and dress whenever and wherever I might want to. Instead, I spend my evenings in my room, a bit scared that "the danger time" has already arrived and a bit in shock by the size and long distances of everything here. Second toughest, maintain a delusional hope that I might find non-spicy food in outings nearby. I have even shyly started cooking and I can only share one thought, how am I going to cook in a country where I cannot find just plain salt without it being mixed with chilli!!??? OMG, I'm on for a fun ride, I can see.
But do not worry too much for me, I am still very happy that I took the decision to come here, very enthusiastic and looking forward the weeks and months to come. Plus I am certain that as soon as I have settled in a nice apartment and learned a bit how to navigate this immense town, I will start having such a great fun!
Me (left) and a visiting work colleague in one of the famous rickshaws
that can indifferently fit 7 goats, 20 school children or just about 2 European girls.
PS. One more Quiz. How many people within an office can one "loud, rude, tall European foreigner" offend in the small lapse time of just two weeks? It looks like a few more that goats and a bit less than school children can be found on a rickshaw.
