A daily power cut in various parts of Navi Mumbai (and India) is the result of too much power consumption. The surburban areas have to feel the brunt of this while hte commerical districts are exempted. Although conservation has to be carried out, this disruption is most unwelcome. Actually the whole power cut situation seems to be a hot issue in Mumbai. Some places have back up generators but not this apartment building in Navi Mumbai. We get to feel the full brunt of full-on heat and humidity.
So far in April, the power is cut from 730 am to 1130 everyday. If you’re lucky enough to be sleeping at this time, it’s time to rise. It’s just not possible to sleep and be comfortable because of the heat. Before you know it, you’re in a pool of sweat and it’s not even summer. For me it’s been early mornings and early evenings. And temperatures will continue to rise dramatically in the next few weeks. That should be fun.
Last night Sonalee and Sujay took me to a mall. Now I haven’t been to a mall in ages so I was interested in seeing an Indian mall (in comparison to a western one). How different could a mall be?
We went to Center One Mall. At the entrance of the mall there’s a metal detector. When you leave a store, a guard checks your receipts and your purchases to ensure they match. Then he stamps your receipt. When you enter another store, another guard takes your parcels and looks after them until you leave. Guards everywhere looking suspicious summed up my general impression of an Indian mall. See, not many differences.
On the fourth floor of the mall, we ate at one of their favourite noodle restaurants, a place where you can mix and match the ingredients in your chosen dish. I requested chopsticks and used them with relish.
Like most Indians, Sonalee uses the tips of her right hand to eat. She tells me that finger tips have a sort of enzyme that adds flavour to the food. Indians never use their left hands to eat because that hand is used for toilet duties. Thankfully Sonalee gives me spoon or fork whenever we sit down to eat. I am not at the point of using my hand yet.