Bloody Mary

 I have sinned and will probably sin again...

Today on the way home I drove past Mount Mary's basilica in Pali Hill...it's really a gorgeous building- but do you know how terrible this is to admit? Driving past didn't conjure up any holy thoughts of religious icons or anything- oh no, not in Queenie's debauched world. Do you know what I thought of? How I would love to get home, put my feet up, crank up some good sounds and sip on an ice cold rather spicey "Bloody Mary"...yes shocking. I know... it's pretty shameful. But I'll still be having a top up (for the love of God) darlings. Let's just hope Mother Mary would approve too. Stuff it...
Big howdy to you all from Ireland, Israel and Sth Africa too!

Home sweet home

We have a home. At long last! Part of me still can't believe I now call Mumbai home. How the hell did that happen? Well in any case, it feels damn gooood...Over 350 metres squared of marble floored living and a huge balcony complete with the teensiest little private garden for our furry friends Boris and Sammy. The little garden has a few palms, various other plants and even grass! Yes that's right grass. Our main balcony is at least 12 metres in length and has a gorgeous feature wall with a running waterfall at one end...(imperative for drowning out the traffic I hear!) Four bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, seperate kitchen and dining areas and a gorgeous all important air conditioned dressing room (for stressful wardrobe decision making!!) I definetly feel very blessed right now. There's a fab private gym/sauna downstairs and even a games room with a pool table for the guys. I feel very lucky. Considering how many people share one bed in India. I appreciate the apartment I am lucky enough to call home.

Our building secretary who lives above- is so sweet and invited us over for lunch on sunday. We ended up watching a movie in his cinema room after chowing down another huge banquet. We all had a good laugh at the latest episode of "India's got talent" and ended up staying till early evening! His wife is taking me out to show me a few local places to buy household appliances etc today. I'm once again blown away by the generosity and welcoming nature of everyone in Mumbai. Another day -another invitation for a meal at someone's place...I love this culture. Honestly. I feel so safe and at home already. Everyone wants to help out or show you around or invite you over for dinner and drinks. It's pretty phenomenal.
And here's another thing. Service...it's just out of control. EVERYTHING is delivered or deliverable. Yesterday I went and did some groceries and as I walked into the store the man behind the counter said "Good morning my name is Deepak". I introduced myself saying I had just moved to Bandra and could he possibly deliver to....he stopped me short and said "yes I know where you live" and then told me my apartment number. He said he delivers to everyone in my building and saw that I was the newest face in town so I must have been the new apartment owners. I was gob smacked. How observant. And of course it was delivered to my home an hour later. My fruit and vegetables were delivered. I stopped at the hardware store to buy some brooms, mops and buckets etc. All delivered. Last night back at the apartmnt I realised I had forgotten cheese, cherry tomatoes and "HRH" fancied some mango ice cream for dessert. I rang my little grocer store and I kid you not- within 5 minutes from hanging up the phone there was a call from the lobby to ask if the delivery man could come up. Five minutes I tell you! Absolutely incredible...no driving off to the corner store to discover that it shut at 8pm- in Mumbai. Everything is open till 10pm. Every day of the week.
Everyone in Bandra and Pali Hill knows each other and who you are. Someone is always so and so's cousin, aunt or doctor here! No wonder the crime levels are so low and you feel so safe. Every morning- everyone asks how we are settling in. When you go to the pharmacy they ask how your sore throat was from your visit 2 days earlier. As you walk in to buy your groceries you hear "Good morning Queenie how are things? How are the children?" For a city of over 25 million people how come I feel like I live in a small country village where everybody knows my name? How come I don't feel lost or alone like you can in other huge mega cities around the world? Because this place has a REAL sense of community. Community...wow I'm beginning to like that word.
Another pleasant discovery is that there's no need to carry cash around all the time - you can always just pay another time. And if you mention needing to pop in again to repay what you owe the shopkeppers just wave you off and smile. Huh? People trust each other here? I'm just not used to it as an unknown new comer. Sad to say. I mean sure once you've lived somewhere for years and have a relationship with retailers of course I would expect such trust. But right from the get go? It's very inclusive. So- if you ask me whether I am adjusting and feeling at home here In Mumbai... I spose I will say: "Abso-fricken-lutely my friends." You can't begin to imagine how so.
Now I'm off for a morning walk with "HRH" and then for eggs benedict at our local cafe for breakfast. Hope you all have a good one. A big warm welcome to you all from Mexico (how are the taco's?) From Fiji (Bula my friends), Denmark and Switzerland.

Queenie the queen of the suburbs coming to you live from Bandra Mumbai. Woohoo!!!

Rugby World Cup...

Ridiculous? Whats in the water down there?

Wow- I watched the rugby world cup opening ceremony yesterday and have to say that for a little country New Zealand sure did an absolutely amazing job! Considering their country was shocked by an awful earthquake in Christchurch killing over 200 people and costing over 6-8% of their G.D.P earlier in the year - they rose above and managed to get it together. It seems like a heck of a lot of money to spend on an opening ceremony of a rugby tournament...But it's part of the kiwi culture -from little 4 yr olds to the retirees in their twilight years. Rugby just seems to bring them so much joy. It was nice to see so many people of many different cultures united- if not just for that one night. And I do have to admit that those kiwis are pretty damn good looking...they have hands down the hottest team in the tournament if I don't say so myself! Every friggin player looks like a caramel coloured super model. It's just ridiculous. So, if not for any other reason than that- I'm going to have to back the All Blacks. Some would have thought I would be for France or Australia? But with those Jockey underwear models playing for N.Z like Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams -I think I know where my loyalties lie! Even that Kahui boy is pretty delicious. There's just so much choice downunder. I'm sure there's got to be something in the water down there. I mean line em up next to the french or the english and there's just no comparison. The poor poms and froggies don't stand a chance...they just aren't built the same in the northern hemisphere. Bless their french little cotton socks...

And this guy isn't half bad either...

On another very exciting front...we are moving into the apartment in 2 hours time! I just can't friggin believe it. "HRH" came home last night with the contract signed and the transfer made into their account. This is it. We finally have a home. No more hotel...no more suitcases. We're outta here! Queenie is finally going to be residing in the "Queen of all Suburbs"- Bandra West here we come. Little princes are ecstatic. And quite frankly so am I.
Hmmmm. Will have to stop at the bottle store. We need supplies for a celebration. And when is the next NZ rugby game scheduled for? Think I've decided I quite like rugby now. Ahem. I'm serious!
Queenie

The Golden ticket

Today I really wanted to go to a Bollywood movie... no seriously. I wanted to go to "Bodyguard" or "Mere brother ki Dulhan" to have a good laugh. But then I discovered there was nowhere in Mumbai showing Bollywood movies with english subtitles. I mean sure I could understand a good 60% of the movie with the hindi I have- but I'd need a bit of translation. I think that's a real shame that no movie theaters do subtitles. I'd probably go to a few of them if there were subtitles available. But it looks like I'll have to wait for the dvds.
While I'm on the topic of movie theatres I'd just like to take my hat off to PVR cinemas for allowing movies to be accessible to everyone in India. Today I paid 100 rupees about $2.15 USD to sit in the gold class section at the movies with cosy RECLINER seats and the option to order hot food and drinks from your seat. In Sydney we pay $25 for Gold Class and you certainly cannot order from your seat. You order at the counter and they will deliver. So you could take 12 people into the PVR Gold class section in Mumbai to see a movie for the same price as a single ticket in Gold Class in Australia. That's quite a big difference isn't it. Twelve times more expensive in Australia than it is in Mumbai to get exactly the same quality and service. Really makes you think how much money EVENT CINEMAS, or VILLAGE must be making? And how unfair it is that it can cost a family of four or five over $100 for a trip to the movies in the US, AUST, NZ or over 60 pound in the UK. I find it outrageous. There are alot of kids out there whose families just can't afford to take them to the cinema...which I find sad. All because of these big corporations greed the cinema is not accessible to all in the community.

PVR Cinemas Phoenix Mills Mumbai

The quality of the cinemas in India are exactly the same as in other countries, with beautiful recliner seats, just as clean and great surround sound with huge giant screens. The food available is the same as in other countries too with caesar salads, pizza, nachos, healthy wraps, cupcakes and even old fashioned ice cream sundaes...there's possibly more of a choice if anything. So what I want to know is how a country the size of the United States can justify those kinds of prices? I could understand if it was double the price in western countries but 12 x the price is just OTT. Anyway no big deal but I was just thinking...it's a little suspect in my humble opinion.

PVR Cinema Mulund Mumbai

The movie I went to see was "Bad Teacher" with J.T and Cameron Diaz. Pretty cheesey plot. Some funny moments but they weren't given by the lead actors. The red head nemesis was quite funny. The movie gets a 5/10 Queenie rating unfortunately. A really warm welcome to the readers from Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Indonesia...and especially our first readers from Russia too!
Queenie

'QM's birthday playlist

Just a quick Happy Birthday to the "QM" today...hope you have a fabulous day surrounded by good friends! Thanks for being a very inspiring person in my life and teaching me to follow my dreams and stand up for what I believe in. Am wearing my leopard print gym gear today in your honor baby!!! Here are a few songs I remember hearing at your 40th birthday and some other of your favourites. I think of you whenever I hear them. Sometimes these songs make me cry. Not in sadness but for the happiness I know they bring you. To the lady with the best taste in music...thank you. I am what I am today thanks to you. Je t'aime maman.
Hello to all the readers from Cambodia and Colombia today!
Queenie

Shanghai nights

This lil Alexander McQueen clutch has me thinking of  hot shanghai nights in the zona rosa (that's red light district for unsuspecting tourists in Mexico btw) keeping their signature of the moment skull- of course. I picked this baby up off net a porter and think I might give it a whirl tonight. I'll probably just tuck the chain and go clutch. It's date night and I'm listening to a bit of Freddy as I get ready. The king of statement sunglasses has inspired me to go with red lips tonight. All a bit vamp. Speaking of sunglasses I overheard some women talking about these fabulous "Finest Seven" Sunglasses again today... I really do have to order a pair they look pure class. Hmmm, maybe "HRH" would like a pair for his b'day he's very picky and loves knowing he has the best quality and style he can get. Although I am the sunglass fiend of the family. Maybe a pair each?
Terrible as I am- this Queen song makes me reach for a Vogue ciggie and take a swig of champagne. Freddy, you're still such a bad influence on me. But this song just cracks me up. Total eighties flamboyance!

Well toodaloo everyone, I'm off to get amongst it in the vibrancy of festival crazed Mumbai and I couldn't be happier. Nice night out planned. Shit...you've got to be kidding me? Those legs of mine would make a hedgehog look like a bald eagle. Did I just say that? Nuts. Anyhow- "HRH" am so sorry to do this but I have a bathroom emergency. I feel terrible asking but...can I borrow your razor? No seriously darling. Will only take a tick. Yes I know, I know. Not very romantic...I agree. Sigh.

Cheese naan anyone?

I'm on strike...I need a cheese naan!

Went shopping today- what a friggin mistake. First thing to know about India is that the girls are "petite"...don't you hate that word? Petite. I mean basically it means " all fat foreign ladies take a hike!" And unfortunately after all the bloody fromage in france and now the cheese naans I'm addicted to in India...this now refers to me. I went into a Satya Paul store the other day and when I asked to try something on the shop asistants smiled and said they didn't have my size. I'm sure I heard them say "moti" and giggle as I walked out. Is size 12 big? C'mon I mean we can't all be a size 6 and be blessed with shiny hair, thin hips and high cheekbones! Well it appears around 10 million Mumbaikars are. Stuff them. I've seen them eating all the goods too. Where do their cheese naans go? Does Shiva magically whisk away all the calories? Well if so...I'm bloody converting. Always fancied the idea of going hindu...and if it has health benefits I'm in. Would be a hell of a lot easier than slaving away with a trainer who's only going to laugh at my fitness levels. I'm going to need a ciggie before the gym to calm the bloody nerves. Hmmmm a G&T might also do the trick. Why didn't I think of that last time. And you know what? While I'm on this topic-I think this Bollywood groove class is just another place for them to laugh at all the pasty chubby foreigners...like me. I'm suspect...there were way too many mirrors in that studio for my liking. They just wanted a good 360 degree view...I'm sure of it. I'm sticking to the calm yoga class I think. There were no mirrors in there at least!

Lord Shiva have mercy on me too...

Right-I'm off for breakfast before the gym...don't want to have a rumbly tummy while I work out. Stop laughing...it seriously puts me off my work out. Plus I love watching who wants to be a millionaire now that "Big B" (Amitabh B.) is the host. He's so funny.
And thanks to all the new readers in Austria, Thailand and Nepal. Am blown away everyone. Thanks for the support. Btw I started a facebook page under "Queenie" plain and simple. Don't forget to join our blog as a member if you are enjoying!
Queenie

The Kite Runner

OMG I just finished watching the kite runner...I don't know how I managed to miss seeing it when it first came out at the movies? (Was probably travelling...) But I finally did. "HRH" read the book years ago... I cried and cried. Quietly at first and then openly. As a mother this movie just spoke to me. To imagine all the children that are orphaned and abused in times of war and political conflict. The helpless are always the most vulnerable. It also made me stop and think about how different societies around the world (and my own of course) judge each other for socio economic, religious or ethnic reasons. What makes one person better than another because of where they were born? Or the language they speak? If we could all speak the same language around the world I am certain we would realise just how much we all have in common. We're not so different in the end. The way countries marched into other countries and colonised them...believing themselves to be better than the indigenous people. America, India, Africa....Australia. Yes we've all judged other cultures and races for being different. And then after we educated ourselves a little better we finally realised how ignorant we were to believe otherwise. Yes, this movie has got me thinking and not just about the standard topics you would assume this film is associated with either! And of course once again friendship and loyalty came up as strong themes. It broke my heart to see Hassan take a beating for his friend. You don't see that kind of honor alot these days.It was just a wonderful thought provoking film. Tonight I will be thinking about all the children out there who are homeless, displaced or being abused. Puts the bloody Alexander McQueen clutch in perspective...honestly. If they can't protect themselves I hope that at least we all take the responsibility to do so for them. Children are our most precious creation. And we should never forget how blessed we are to have them.You know sometimes we think that if we stop thinking about those horrible things that happen out there -that they don't exist. But they do. Every day. In every country on the planet. That's devastating news in my books...far more devastating than a stockmarket crash anyday. Now where are my very privileged, secure and much loved boys? Their mom needs a cuddle about now. Sniff.