Indian Samurai इंडियन सामुराई

When I want something, I just need to get it. And it is getting worse as the years go by… My dad can testify!!

The last obsession I suffered from was a bean bag, or rather a bean mattress. Ok, you can get it in India, but I wanted a good one. The particular brand I wanted was not exporting to India (of course) so I bought it in France, having in mind to carry it back with me during a trip to France…

 

And see what came home…

 

The weight was decent (10 kgs) but the dimensions not so… 60 x 60 x 110 cms… Sure Air France would charge me 200€ for the same and I don’t like giving Air France money for no reason…

Then I got a “brilliant” idea: I would transfer the “beans” in plastic bags. But plastic bags in card boxes and seal card boxes together (to have the right number of pieces of luggage)!! Well, not an easy task…

 

But it worked!!

 

The story is not quite over as when the Indian officers as the customs saw 3 huge card boxes, they wanted to check it. What they saw at the X-ray (polystyrene balls) left them quite puzzled… I was not too keen on opening the cartons so I tried to explain what was inside but they would not let go. So I told them “listen I’m hot, sick, tired, so just let me go ok?”. They asked me whether I was Indian (no) and if I spoke Hindi (yes – a little lie can not harm in this situation). And they let me go!!

 

Putting the beans back in the bag was a bit of pain as well, but totally worth it!!

So… A few things about me...

I have been blogging for almost 4 years and just thought of going wild: do it also in English!

Hope I’ll manage, if it is not too time requiring…

I am Emilie, almost 28, French. I moved to India for a 2-year job in Pune (in polymers). Loved it there but had to face a situation of moral /sexual harassment from an ugly fat bold Indian…

I survived thanks to my boyfriend, Shiv, who showed me that all guys where not like the other pig (though I must confess the number of sexually starving guys is HUGE in this country; and adding that white skin = easy sex (in their mind), it makes it a little difficult to deal with…).

I moved to Mumbai one and half year ago, to work for a pet food company. Yes, there are dogs and cats in India, and not only wild ones.

I really like the job (marketing). Hence I am staying and liking it.

My accent has totally turned Indian. I also understand hindi ok though I don't speak.

I shake my head to say yes, when talking to Indians.

I have travelled a LOT in India.

I still don’t like spicy food but enjoy tandoori.

I don't wear sarees, cause it's too hot (except for special occasions - see photo below)

I am a young white business woman so I don’t really suffer from prejudges with my colleague: I am more of the species of ETs for them.

A frequently asked question: “has your family moved to India with you?” Well…

See you later!

Emilie