I had a taxi booked this morning for 10 a.m but at 10.15 we were still waiting for the taxi. I was getting so annoyed as they never arrive on time. Tyagi was always prompt and although on the odd occasion was late, it was only by 5 or 10 minutes maximum. Finally got the taxi at 10.25 and headed straight to Thomas Cook as I needed to change some Rupees into Riyals or Pounds.
There was no point in taking the double pushchair out of the taxi to go into Thomas Cook as the driver parked close by but also there was no way I could have got the pushchair over the rough terrain and up the HUGE curb that there was. So, I put Dylan on his reigns. It's the first time I have used them in such a long time and he didn't like being restrained. But, it was too dangerous where we were – even the short walk to Thomas Cook from the car, there was traffic in all directions and it was really busy as next to Thomas Cook are all the different banks – ICICI, HDFC, RBS, India Bank etc. Anyway, you should have seen the looks I was getting for having DJ on his reigns! They were looking at me with disgust as if I'd put a dog collar on my child or something!
Thomas Cook was a disaster! The guy behind the counter wanted my Residence Permit, my passport, my visa, my air ticket and my bank card! I told him that I was changing cash and I didn't have any of those things – except my passport with me. He wouldn't accept that and basically said 'tough!' So, we left there and I tried to explain to the driver to take me to another money exchange but I could not make him understand what I wanted. In the end I gave up and asked him to take me to City Centre Mall. He dropped us off and I told him I would be a couple of hours as everything takes so much longer here anyway, and shopping with two little ones by myself is very hard!
We had a wander around a few of the shops and in particular, Lifestyle. While we were in there, a blonde lady came up to me and said 'hi'. We got chatting and her name is Sam and she's only been in Gurgaon for 10 days. Her and her family have just moved here from Canada and so she hasn't met anyone or been to the Gurgaon Connection stuff yet. I told her that I could give her lots of help – contact numbers, events etc. We exchanged numbers and I said I would call her later to arrnage for her to come over with her little girl. She seemed really lovely and I was happy to help her in the same way Alex helped me when I first got here. It's so difficult trying to get established, find things and especially meet people. Knowing where to go for things is the hardest thing.
Anyway, Sam seemed grateful to have someone who could help her. It is so funny because just before I met her, I had told Dylan what a good boy he had been and I would buy him some new cars (the little matchbox ones), so while I was talking to Sam, Dylan was looking at all the cars on the shelf. I was holding Abi on my hip because she was so tired but was having one of her funny moments where she wouldn't feed in public. Anyway, after I finished talking to Sam, I turned round and couldn't believe my eyes … Dylan had FILLED the pushchair (Abigail's seat was laid down as I had previously been trying to get her to sleep). It was absolutely jam packed full of every pack of cars off the shelf – the shelf was now empty! There must have been at least 70 packs of toy cars in my pushchair. Even funnier ... there was a woman who worked in the shop, who was standing a few feet away and just giving me the strangest look ever! I had to explain to DJ that I would buy him cars but not all of those … he could choose one pack! He seemed really disappointed when I started putting the cars back on the shelf lol
We left Lifestyle, having bought nappies and a pack of new cars and I managed to expalin to the driver that I wanted to go to another money exchange place. He finally understood me and took me to another company. They were happy to exchange money but had to order it in. They told me it would be ready at 6 p.m or I could pick it up the next day after 11. I told them I would be back on Friday as there was no way I was going to get in rush hour traffic – it would take forever!
We left the exchange place and came home. Before even going into our building DJ asked if he could go on the slide. Abi had fallen asleep and stayed asleep when I put her in the pushchair and it wasn't too hot outside so I thought, why not? So, off we went to the park … again. Third time in two days – not bad! While we were in the park, I had a really nice surprise – my friend, Pam from Chennai phoned. It was so lovely to talk to her and catch up and such a nice surprise! It really made my day :)
Raj Kumar arrived early today – at 2 which I was surprised about but it was fine. Abi went for her usual afternoon nap at 3 and Raj Kumar was able to help out with DJ while I took Abigail to sleep. When she woke up I took both children down to the shop and then on the way back to the park for just 10 minutes. While we were in the shop, I bought DJ a treat – a small can of Fanta. When he came and asked me to open it, I asked him 'What's the magic word?' and he looked at me as if to say 'I don't know!' I told him it was 'Please'. And now, every time he wants something he looks at me and says 'What's the magic word? Please!' … it makes me laugh every time.
While we were in the taxi earlier, I almost forgot to mention – Abi reached another new milestone! She clapped for the first time!! She spent the whole taxi journey figuring it out and practising – it was so cute!! Anyway, she's now got it down to a T – whatever does that expression mean?! My mum used to say it a lot but I actually don't know what it means – anyone know?!
When we got back from the park, the children played in DJ's bedroom and I sorted through all his clothes. He had quite a few things that he has grown out of, so I tidied all his drawers out and then we made dinner and I put the children to bed.
Friday 24th September
This morning I had a taxi booked for 10.30. Surprise, surprise – he was late!! We left home at about 10 to 11 and went to the money exchange via the bank. I picked up my money and we headed home.
Sam was supposed to come over this afternoon but she called to cancel because she was having a lot of problems with things that were supposed to be done this morning such as having air conditioners installed, having her gas connection, having deliveries of stuff etc etc. She told me that people kept turning up late for delivering and fitting stuff and then not actually doing what they were supposed to do so just leaving their tools and telling her they would come back! I felt so bad for her as I remember the first time we went to India we had the same problem. Everything just takes so long to get done here and as Sam was saying to me, when you get told someone is coming at 10 a.m you expect them at 10 – not at 4 p.m! Anyway, I was disappointed that she didn't come over, but I completely understand.
Penri worked from home today which was nice. The children and I didn't actually go out this afternoon. In fact, DJ was so tired by 3 p.m that he went for a nap! I wouldn't normally let him sleep in the day but he was just so tired that he couldn't stay awake! It did mean that at bedtime, he didn't sleep. He finally went to sleep at 10.30!
I don't know where this week has gone – it seems to have flown by and the weekend is here already. I'm looking forward to Ambience Mall tomorrow and I know Dylan is too. He keeps asking to go to the 'big shops' and on the 'yellow car'. I really think it's the highlight of his week. It also helps that Pen is there too because DJ gets to spend time with him.
That's about it from me today. Will write more after the weekend. :)
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