Home Improvement

I’m yet again in a new city in a different country. One more home making routine. I think I’ve got it down now though.

In India, the smallest of things are the most stressful like getting a gas connection. The Government has stopped giving out new connections. What exactly is the rationale behind this completely ludicrous idea is beyond me. Perhaps they expect new age India to run on gobar gas? Fortunately, we have cylinders in black, so within two days of moving in, I was cooking on my black gas. A few days later, (with the gas working fine) my toilet started spewing sewage, so much for the peace of mind. And in true Indian style, nothing happened for two more days, forcing me to the torture of cold water showers in the spare bathroom. See but the mistake we make is to assume that nothing can go wrong. If we were constantly prepared for disaster, how much more blissful life would be? I am amazed at the kind of things that can go wrong in a house. Sure enough a few weeks later, much to my astonishment, the tube on the water heater burst and I had to scramble through the hot water spray to turn off the tap. How often does that happen?

In spite of all these freak incidents, I was brave enough to host a housewarming party without palpitations, which was a huge success. I am also now equipped with phone numbers of plumbers, electricians, carpenters, what have you, on my toes for the next disaster to strike.