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Diary of a White Indian Housewife
What is your current age or age range?
30-35
What country are you native to?
Australia.
What area of India do you current live (Providence, City, general area etc.)
Kandivali West, an outer northern suburb of Bombay/Mumbai.
How long have you lived in India?
Around three years, in various locations.
When you moved to India, did you bring your family? What do they think?
My mum, and a few other friends and family members have come to visit me in India. They all agreed that it was an assault on their senses. However, they think that India is invaluable in teaching patience and an appreciation for what you have in life. My mum really likes the culture and values in India too.
Did you leave your family behind? How do you handle the separation?
My family are still in Australia. I do miss them but we talk on the phone.
What made you decide to relocate to a different country?
I wanted to throw myself out of my comfort zone and open myself up to new possibilities.
Why did you choose India, or what factors helped you to decide to choose India?
I'd been to India twice previously, on vacation. I chose to come back again because I felt like I needed to challenge myself, and India is perfect for that! Then, I ended up falling in love here and getting married.
What other countries did you consider? Why didn't you choose those?
None.
Was it difficult to get the documents you needed to live and/or work there? (residency and/or working permit)
I came on a six month tourist visa. As I was doing volunteer work initially, this was fine. I simply left the country to get another visa when one was about to expire (it's common to go to either Nepal, Thailand, or Sri Lanka for this purpose). Now that I'm married to an India, I'm entitled to residency here.
What was the most difficult part of the transition?
The fear of the unknown. I really don't like change. It was so difficult to sever myself from my comfortable life back home in Australia, even though I knew that I wanted to be in India. I didn't pack my house up and make the full move straight away. I kept staying in India for longer and longer stretches, over the course of a couple of years. First it was 5 weeks, then 3 months, then one year, then another year.
Do you plan on returning to your home country? Why or why not?
I have no immediate plans to return home but may consider it if/when I have children and it's time for them to go to school. I'd like my children to have the same benefits as I did when growing up, so that would be a big factor in me returning home. I wouldn't want to bring my children up in a crowded, dirty city.
Do you miss your family, friends or old home and habits?
Yes, I do. It's worse around Christmas and other special occasions. Other days I just feel home stick for no particular reason. Sometimes it strikes me that I'm so far away, and can't just go and see my family and friends for a quick visit. I do miss some old habits. Fish & chips and a beer on the beach at sunset. Getting in my car and going for a drive. Relaxing with friends in the back yard.
What do you miss the most about your home country?
I miss the open spaces, fresh air, privacy, freedom, accountability, and infrastructure. I also miss having a spacious and comfortable house to live in. Living conditions in Mumbai are very cramped.
How easy has it been to make new friends in India?
Quite easy. Indians like to have foreigners as friends. It has a lot to do with white skin being viewed as superior.
What are your favorite activities that are available?
In Mumbai, I enjoy Sunday brunch at a restaurant (it's a really popular thing to do and many places have buffets), going to nearby Aksa beach, or Borivali National Park.
What are the top ten things you DON'T miss about the place you left behind?
1. Materialism. Everyone is focused on acquiring bigger and better possessions. 2. Cold winters.
Do you speak the language of India?
I can speak intermediate Hindi, and I can also read it. It's been quite a challenge to learn though. I taught myself mostly from text books. Pronunciation and grammar have been particularly hard to learn. Although I know a lot of words, I still get confused trying to string a sentence together. Indians tend to speak Hindi really fast, which makes it difficult to understand too.
Do you think it is crucial to know the language in India, or can you get by with a handheld translation dictionary for a while?
It's possible to get by with English. However, being able to speak Hindi helps with negotiating better rates, and dealing with day to day activities such as taking an auto rickshaw. I have encountered quite a few situations of people not being able to speak English (such as the local vegetable vendor, other local shopkeepers, and the newspaper vendor who comes to the door). If you want to shop in local markets, it really helps to know Hindi.
Was medical insurance difficult to get before you went or after you first arrived?
I don't have any medical insurance.
Did you move to your new location after retirement, or are you currently working or looking for work?
I'm currently working.
How do you earn your living in India?
I write and manage About.com's India Travel website (About.com is part of the New York Times).
Do you generally earn your income the same way, or in the same profession, as in your home country?
Fortunately, no. I was an accountant in Australia. I'm happy to have a complete change of profession!
How did you go about finding a job in India? Was it easy or hard to locate work and get a job?
Someone actually approached me to apply for the job. I wasn't actually looking for anything at the time, although I was doing some freelance travel writing for an article library website. I'm very fortunate that I work for an American company and get paid into my Australian bank account, so officially I'm not employed in India. This has been so helpful because I don't have the right paperwork to work in India.
If you are telecommuting, what obstacles, if any, did you face in setting up your communication methods?
I work via the Internet. It was extremely frustrating to start off with because the Internet connection was very unreliable. There was a time when it was down almost every day. It made it very difficult for me to get my work done. Thankfully, reliability has improved now.
Are there local customs that would make it difficult for foreigners to fit in?
The most difficult thing for me is the conservative dress standards. Legs must be covered. Spaghetti strap and strapless tops are a no-no. Tight tops are also inappropriate. It's not very comfortable having to stay covered up in summer, when the weather is so hot and humid. Indians have little regard for the time, which is also another challenge for foreigners. 5 minutes can mean half an hour. 10 minutes can mean an hour. And 30 minutes can mean up to two hours. People are very rarely on time in India. Lack of privacy is one more challenge. Visitors turn up unannounced and uninvited at all times of the day. It's considered rude not to invite them in and give them tea.
What are the top ten things you like about India?
1. Culture. 2. Food. 3. Spirituality. 4. Indian clothes and accessories. 5. There's never a dull moment. The streets are alive with all sorts of fascinating activities. People's lives are played out on the streets. 6. The diversity and history. It's a very exotic place, with so much to discover. Each region is different. 7. Exuberant festivals.
What are the top ten things you DON'T like or find strange about India?
1. Crowds. 2. Pollution. 3. Too much traffic. 4. Inefficiencies and bureaucracy. 5. Society is quite hypocritical and gossip driven. 6. Staring. 7. Common perception of westerners as rich, lazy, and lacking in morals.
Do you have plans to move again or travel in the future or what are your future business plans?
I'm settled in Mumbai for now.
Did you buy a new home or did you decide to rent?
Renting.
What is the average cost for housing in your area?
A newish, small one bedroom flat is around 12,000 rupees per month to rent. However, in a cosmopolitan area such as Bandra, a similar flat would cost around 40,000 rupees per month. It's even more expensive in south Mumbai.
Was it difficult to find housing in your new country?
It's difficult to find reasonably priced decent quality housing, that's up to western standards. Expats usually end up paying a premium for suitable housing.
Is the cost of living comparable to what you experienced before? Explain the difference.
Housing is much more expensive in Mumbai. Prices are on par with New York. Other than that, the cost of living is less expensive if you live a simple life. If you want to eat imported food and go out to bars/clubs, it can be just as expensive.
List some things that are more expensive in India
Alcohol, such as wine. Anything that is "western" such as appliances, electronic goods etc.
List some things that are less expensive in India
Groceries, public transport, clothes, books, services such as electrician, plumber etc.
How do you feel about the local people? Are they friendly?
They are friendly, but very curious and often intrusive. Some locals will try and take advantage of foreigners because white skinned people are perceived as having lots of money. Some men will also behave inappropriately around foreign women by groping and leering, due to the perception that foreign women are loose.
What is the best thing about people in India?
Their warmth, generosity, and hospitality. Also their attitude. Many people have so little, but they still manage to smile. People are also very patient and tolerant. Indians tend not to complain, they're very motivated and hard working.
Do you have any suggestions for people who are thinking about moving to India?
Be prepared for a huge culture shock, and to learn a whole different way of living. India requires a lot of patience. Make sure you come with an open mind and be prepared to adapt. There's a saying "this is India, please kindly adjust". There's another saying "anything is possible in India but it might not be available".
What are the good or bad things about living in India?
Every day is an adventure, but it's also like a roller coaster. Some days up, and some days down. Frustrating little things build up to push you over the edge. Then on other days, things will go unexpectedly right. Something surprising and unexpected will happen to brighten your day. There's no denying that living in India can be tiring though. It can take so long to get the smallest task done. However, ever day is an opportunity to learn something new and gain a new perspective on life.
Do you think you will stay in India, or it is not suitable for the long run?
I aim to stay here for at least five years.
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Diary of a White Indian Housewife
