Indian Samurai इंडियन सामुराई

 This trip, rather incredible, reconciled me with India!!

To live here taught me how to decipher a foreign “psychology” and I believe I was able to understand more quickly what the Filipinos actually meant when they said something than Shiv.

 

Ok, when I saw all the Indians in the waiting room in Singapore, I wouldn’t have minded going back to Philippines for a little while longer… But this is good to be back at home!!

We travelled like backpackers, and I felt rejuvenated!! Buses, jeepneys, tricycles, no Internet (with great surprise, the majority of the travellers had notebooks, ipads etc), rooms without electricity, for ten days, I did feel younger!!

 

Some photographs here:

 

 

Philippines - June 2011

 

This morning, still sleeping like during the holidays (sleeping early and getting up early – yes it is not usual but in a country where most places do not have electricity it is rather normal), I got up to go to…  my first class of… yoga!! Yes yes. I did hope that it would rain and I would not be able to go but no…

I thus gathered my strengths to go to a place full of unknown people (when you are shy, you are shy) and I took my first lesson of yoga.

 

For the story, I have never been attracted by yoga. But then, upon my mother’s insisting, I tried to register in Pune (in the Iyengar center) but their bureaucracy irritated me and I gave up.

When I arrived Mumbai, I began aerobic one in the gymnasium of a college. That was good exercise but after 6 months, my dash broke with the holidays.

Since then I have been looking to practice sport. In vain. Not one squash court, nor badminton (the only way is to be a member of a “club”), no gym with step classes, and I stopped running after a big fall caused by a stupid root.

Then I had this brilliant idea: if I can not make any exercise in Mumbai (because of a lack of space), but yoga, it must be a sign.

To find a yoga class however was not so easy. And I did not want a private teacher – I want to socialise!

And then which yoga?? After some research, I chose Ashtang Yoga. Why?? Because that is also called “Power Yoga”. Stupid reason but well…

So this morning I learned that Ashtang yoga is a yoga which is based much on the breath and I made my exercises like a good girl – at the beginning the teacher was surprised/worried that I had never practiced any yoga but I did quite well!!

 

So here I am, having yoga class 2 times a weeks, early morning, 5 minutes walking distance from home, and we are two in the class, which is really nice!!

Let’s see for how long I’ll hold ;)

 Best overall locations:

Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United States are the three countries to emerge as best expat locations overall in our expat survey.

The United Kingdom and France were amongst the lowest rated destinations, scoring poorly on their levels of luxury and accommodation.

 

Earning and spending:

Expats spend more whilst still being able to save.

Over half (58%) of expats surveyed save and invest more than they did in their country of origin.

Comparing their country of residence to their country of origin expats spend:

·          52% more on food.

·          49% more on shopping.

·          45% more on socialising in their new country of residence.

Where six-figure salaries are the norm: Expats based in Hong Kong and India have the highest salaries in the world; with close to half earning more than £100,000 p.a. Interesting thing to discuss in the beginning of next year with my boss !!

The highest paying professions were in finance and management with 43% of people in these industries earning a six figure salary.

 

India scores quite well, 9 out of 14. This is due to the fact that expats in India can save (they are paid high to face hard conditions?? ;) ). For instance a V.I.E. (kind of contract for young expats) will get 2 360€ per month in Mumbai and 3 000€ in New York. So ok renting a place in Mumbai is super expensive but the rest is really affordable…

 

Another thing to notice is how long people stay in India: 1 year!! So India actually ranks very high in “luxurious” which is mainly related to employing staff. Apparently having a driver and a maid won’t make anyone stay in India though!!

 

 

 

 

Source: http://www.offshore.hsbc.com/1/2/international/expat/expat-survey/expat-existence-report-2008