Why is Bandra dubbed Mumbai's "Queen of the suburbs?"
Leaving her familiar and more than comfortable previous life behind "Queenie" endeavours to take Mumbai and all it's offerings by storm. Packing up the two little princes, "His Royal Highness" and their pedigree feline friends they set off on their big "Indian Adventure". Her roller coaster ride of experiences while being rather humorous- soon display some home truths. But will Queenie be up for the lesson?
Hiya everyone. I had a fabulous time shopping with "the girls" today and spent the majority of the time laughing out loud, forcing friends to try things on, arguing about what looked good on me, giggling like a school kid at some very bad fashion, eating cake, drooling at some beautiful jewellery, and of course talking about the "S" word. (That's sex for any of you males out there...)
Half way through the day one of my gorgeous "Pakistani" friends received a text message from her brother in Australia that had us in stitches so I thought I would share it:
A young Pakistani couple are seen leaving the local family divorce court one day. The lady turns to the male and says "I feels awful about this Abdul" before bursting into tears. Abdul looking concerned turns to comfort her and says "No matter, look on the bright side we'll still be cousins!"
And with that I must fly my friends. Off for friday night dinner with the wee ones... I feel a nice cold mojito calling. Can't have too many before tomorrow night of course. One or two won't hurt?! A big warm welcome to the new readers from Venezuela, Bahrain and Fiji. Thanks again!
Well, yes here I am everybody! I have "finally" shown my face again after what seems like an eternity. Time just seems to keep slipping by...honestly. This week has just been absolutely jam packed with teaching english, a meeting to organise charity work, having the kids home for a teacher's only day, being stuck in a traffic jam, ladies coffee morning, conference call with business partners, waiting around for the housekeeper to do 3 no shows in a row, being stuck in a traffic jam again, finally setting up our Indian bank account with "HRH", waiting around for plumbers that never showed up, being stuck in traffic again, attempting in vain to work off my oversized butt at the gym, getting covers made for the boys rooms, booking our "Diwali" holiday to Oman, being stuck in traffic again, lunch out with the girls, interviewing our new housekeeper, did I say being stuck in traffic? Haha all of you from Mumbai are feeling my pain right now.
Bungalow 9
So that's what my week has entailed thus far... it's been eventful to say the least. I'll tell you one thing though- the 2 cosmopolitans that I downed at lunch today felt well deserved. A couple of the girls and I went to Bungalow 9 near Lilavati hospital and had a fab (non-stop...but like literally not even to take a breath) gossip session with a few drinks and scrummy food thrown into the mix. It was my first time to Bungalow 9 and I was pretty impressed I have to say. Has a great sort of havana club feel and the food was damn good too. Definetly gets a big "Queenie's thumbs up."
Resort in Oman
You know I just can't believe how the days pass so quickly in Mumbai. I swear the weekend feels just like yesterday. How the hell did that happen? So much has happened and there's so much to tell. I just don't know if I can actually manage getting into it all. So let's just say the week has been fab, slowly getting there with the apartment, our gorgeous feline friends have finally been given clearance and their flights are booked for the 1st of November, what else? Ohhhh yes had been trying to be good for so long but "HRH" finally caved in and booked us 6 nights in Oman for the Diwali break (thanks Conde Nast Mag for the inspiration of course) and we have a night out with a group of friends this saturday in town. Woohoo. (Hmmmm what to wear?) Stilettos of course...
So all in all it's been a very productive week. The apartment whilst not HUGE (like some of those damn penthouse apartments with pools I've seen...she says through gritted teeth) is starting to feel more like home. Teaching english to the little children is going really well...which reminds me I have to organise the next lesson with my friend. Better get onto that. The kids LOVED the big read aloud books I took in this week -so will definetly get some more for next week. Yes, make mental note to self: things to do tomorrow. Sh#t is it friday already tomorrow?
Ok anyway...1. Get kids to school. 2. MUST HIT THE GYM EVEN IF JUST FOR 15 MINS anything is better than nothing right? 3. Get more read aloud books. 4. Shopping trip and coffee with girlfriend for her b'day. (Need to pick up some hand made chocolates for her beforehand too. (DONT FORGET QUEENIE) 5. Manicure. 6. Check hairy leg situation. 7. Drop Prince M to his friends for a sleepover. 8. Get into sexy lingerie and vamp it up with the hubby...hahaha. Gotcha ahhhhh.....no sadly number 8 is going to go more like: collapse on the sofa with hubby AND all important G&T in hand -me thinks. Lets be honest I don't even think the stray dog down the road would want to vamp it up with me after a long hot day in Mumbai. Trust me. Especially not after a rogan josh and a few cheese naans...I wouldn't inflict that upon poor old "HRH" or anyone for that matter. But for now a nice chilled Australian chardonnay is hitting the spot rather nicely thanks very much.
Yeah...it's just not a pretty picture.
Big warm welcome to everyone from the Netherlands, Israel, Thailand and Russia. Thanks for tuning in even when it seemed like I had abandoned ship!
Queenie
Happy Gandhi Jayanti everyone...let's celebrate the birthday of a truly extraordinary man who was known as Mahatma Gandhi to so many people. Well he really did teach us a thing or two didn't he?
Many political leaders and especially civil rights and anti apartheid leaders have used Gandhi's non violence teachings as inspiration. Some quotes from some of these leaders include:
"Gandhiji influenced the activities of liberation movements and civil rights movements in all 5 continents of the world!" Nelson Mandela at Gandhi memorial unveiling 1993
"Christ gave us the goals and Mahatma Gandhi the tactics- bless his soul." Martin Luther King 1955
"I am mindful that I might not be standing before you today as president of the United States had it not been for Gandhi and the message he shared with America and the world." Barack Obama 2010
Martin Luther King
Nelson Mandela
Gandhi may be dead, but his message still remains as relevant as it was more than 60 years ago when the people of India were being oppressed by the tyrannical British Empire. What a man. He was imprisoned unjustly for more than 6 years of his life and yet he himself accepted this as part of his journey. I can not even begin to imagine what it must have been like to be so courageous and self giving. To be willing to die...seriously lose your OWN life for the plight of your people. Just think about that for a while. Would you have done it? I can personally say that my own fear would have stood in the way...
Anyhow thank you Mahatma Gandhi you have changed the world that I have brought my children into...by your own work and by inspiring others like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King. The world has at least made a start to becoming a more just place for us all to live. I say made a start because I know that there is still so much more to do in this world to stand up for equality. So we live in hope of one day continuing your work. And doing it and yourself justice...
