Airbnb Experiences

I had a chance to view a couple of Airbnb accommodation homes/ rooms. 

First 2 were to find a place locally for parents to stay over. But they didn't stay over. One wasn't good. Second we didn't book in time. 

1. Worst location- hard to find. House - a mess, cluttered space. Host - friendly and tried best to help. But location and house were unwelcoming and unpleasant. 
2. An individual home. Good location, parking available, shared bathroom. The host was friendly too. Gave personal numbers to talk out of Airbnb site. Note: Airbnb doesn't allow to share phone numbers before booking. 

3 and 4 -- booked online for staying in Vancouver. Didn't see place before. Randomly booked for cheap ones in the location. 

     3. Wonderful apartment. In the heart of downtown. Beautiful views from both hall and room. 3 bedroom apartment and 1 shared bathroom. Pantry and kitchen fully furnished with cutlery and food- breakfast items- cookies, cereal, milk, eggs, granola bars, bread, Nutella, peanut butter, etc. Good lighting in apartment. Tv didn't work. Wifi great. No easy or free parking though. Basement parking not for Airbnb folks. Wish they could provide a visitors pass to park. Oh yes, getting the keys was like a maze or treasure hunt game. The host was responsive, communicated well via Airbnb chat. 

 

    4. Bad experience. Bad location. Host had dog. Not cleaned and ready to check in. Messy and cluttered apartment. He said he couldn't accommodate 3 guests. We canceled it. And lost the money too. Didn't refund. 

So pictures on Airbnb can be very misleading. All my experiences had some drawbacks. Number 2 sounded good but you never know till you stay. Number 4 sounds exciting too- but parking was a pain. Our car got towed away. 

The keys story I definitely should talk about- so first we headed to a 7-eleven near the apartment- looked around the shop- the guy there asked if I was looking for the key cafe. I nodded yes. And he pointed towards a wall that had 4 black boxes. And 2 key pads with touch screens.  I followed the instructions on the screen. Had to look on my email for an access code. Was chatting in parallel with the host asking doubts. Took some time to find the email and access code. Then one of those tiny black boxes opened up. I took the keys from inside it. And followed instructions to finish the process. It makes sure we close the box well. 

From the 7-11, we drove to the apartment. The host just said 8th floor. I had a bunch of keys in hand with labels - front key, room key, etc. and then a fob ( a button like automatic key) that you can scan before a box at different locations. The box recognizes the fob, with a flashing tiny green dot light. 

So I reached the apartment building. Fob works at the building door. Then in the elevator before I could press 8. Then there were 6- 8 apartments at the eighth floor. I messaged the host for the apartment number at that point standing there. Then in a couple minute I got the number. Quickly looked in the apartment and room. That day they had updated a new room key which was hanging in the door knob. I took that new key and hung to the key bunch. 

Then went down to get parents and before that park the car. The fob even worked to open the car garage at the basement and at another point to reach the door to the elevator. 

On the return of keys. I had to do the same. Go to the 7-11, go to the key cafe- slide in the key cafe fob, a blue button like thing. Then again enter the access code for a box to open, placed the keys and closed the box. 

A treasure hunt game right? Don't you agree? 

The untold dress code

Does an outfit define you? The typical Indian stereotypes define an untold dress code. Isn't it enough if I dressed appropriately for a location/ event. And most importantly to my comfort. Rather than dressing for the stereotyped Indians.

There's this untold dress code for a woman- to define if she is one's daughter, daughter in law, mom, wife, grandma! 

Here I have two incidents when ladies asked my mil "is she your daughter?" If you think it was a casual way of asking how I was related, you are just partly right! The real reason is "how could she be in shorts before her mil?!"

So do you see anything wrong in that? Do I need to wear a mask when she visits us? Act in the manner the stereotypes define the untold dress code? <puzzled>

Coming to the incident -- 

1. My neighbors mom met us - me and my mil - and there the trick question was asked. Once we clarified her doubt. She added "oh, you look alike!" 

2. A stranger lady, visiting her daughter and grand kid, bored in the states, stopped by seeing my mil. The lady pre assumed and started her conversation in Telugu. And then clarified if my mil was Telugu and her whereabouts. She conversed so much standing there. And then my mil offered her to sit by the side of the road where we all were sitting after a short walk a Sunday evening. She continued to talk, no pauses. My fil, hubby and me were bored. 30 mins later we (me and B) got up saying we will start home. She said she will start back in a while. 

Later, more parents joined the short wall (kutty sevaru) to spend their evening chit chatting (read as gossiping). Then my mil somehow escaped from the talk and got back home with fil. Oh yes, the lady did ask not just the trick question, she directly asked "oh! How comes she is dressing like that?" 

Guess she directly jumped out a tv serial drama! Unbelievable Stereotypes ! 

Why do I blog?

Yesterday one friend asked me this. I quickly said "I think a lot , and it's a place to pen them down", took some pauses and continued saying "some memories", "place to save/share a couple of those 1000s of  pictures" !! 

And then I continued to think about it as I laid in bed. I got another topic to write about! Ha ha! 

So why do I blog? 

It's my emotion! A couple years back I realized I am more powerful and can communicate better writing than talking! 

 

The writer in me! Blogger! I love myself! 

Gossipers - the losers forever!

I am awesome ! Live my life carefree! Happily! Least bothered about what others think! But now and again I hear this " she spoke bad about you" (read as "she is bitching about me"). What's the need?! Why are people obsessed of others lives- especially their personal stuff. What the hell ?! Mind your own business! It's freaking my wish! You have an opinion, a random thought, a difference in taste.. Okay.. I'd respect that. I know your a different individual. We can be friends. It doesn't matter. 

I really pity those folks- as though one doesn't have enough problems in their own life. The social world just pictures the good before your eyes. Everyone knows life isn't a smooth journey. Everyone has their share of bitter moments. Open your eyes. 

There's always a couple of weird people around. I wonder what they earn bitching about their friends. Act like friends before them and run stories behind. Spreading tons of rumors. Just because you think they are better off than you.. (Read "jealously"). 

Every person would just stick around once .. Once they know the truth.. Who would be there for you? 

Hubby's birthday surprises

His first birthday post wedding. I wasn't with him. Just left for a training a couple days before. So I planned a surprise! He still calls it the best one. It was a well planned out surprise. I set out "x" number of gifts and notes along with them tracing to the next for his "x" years old birthday! Well yes! It was a treasure hunt! I called him up on his birthday and after I wished him.. Sent him to the pooja room and asked him to ask God for his gift. Lol! Of course you don't get it right? Obviously he too didn't get it! So ya told him check behind the God frame. And from there he took an hour around the house to find all the gifts. Some in the car too. 

Last year I travelled New York! Gifts were simple that time. A couple of gift cards. 

This year- I baked a chocolate chips and pecans vanilla cake! 

I made his believe there was no gift! And then this happened. 

Surprised! And then this happened... 

I just packed gift boxes inside gift boxes inside gift boxes. And filled with water bottles and nutribars for weight. Gifts was money checks. Haha. 

He wants more surprises next year too. I am starting to plan bigger and better for next year! Stay tuned! 

India away from India

India is a developing country. I live in a city in USA that it the developed version of India. I call it "little India". Any town that is full of Indians and gives the feeling you are living India, I name that "little India". 

Here I am, in little India. Never have I been in such a city- there's nothing (no thing) I can miss from being in India. 

Wanna know how Indian this place is? 

1. The row of apartments in my street are filled with Indians. I know 15 families personally in my apartment complex. (just been here for 4 months now) 

2. There's 4+ Indian grocery stores in less than 2 miles.

3. There's plenty of Indian restaurants and chaat places so close by. 

Tandoori chicken pizza 

4. There's so many Indian communities divided by languages. And more than one for each language. 

5. Plenty of temples. Again these are divided by languages too. 

6. There's clothes shops selling Indian wear. 

7. Kids are learning Bharatnatiyam dance, Carnatic music, karate and chess. 

8. One can find people for stitching Indian clothes and for alternations. 

9. Food! Home cooked food. No kidding! People are selling home cooked food. 

10. Indians selling jewelry and home decor stuff. 

11. Indian event planners and photographers for all occasions! 

12. Indian folks for baby sitting. 

13. There's language classes with exams being conducted. 

14. Indian beauty parlors and specialists for bridal make up. 

15. Indian movies are screened in theatres here. And you get Indian snacks at the theatre. 

16. Festivals are celebrated here. Holi and diwali for example. 

17. Indians baking customized cakes. Especially eggless options available. 

18. There's a desi radio station. 

19. Enter Walmart or Costco and don't be surprised to find desi ghee, kulfi, rotis, parathas, ready to eat Indian curries. 

20. There's 4+ Indian groups of fb, so active with everyday businesses blooming and doubts/ questions asked by newbies in the city to the local Indian population. 

New to the states? You surely don't wanna live here. But gonna settle here? I guess it's a great place! I won't miss India as much anymore. How many of you are jealous of me? And how many of you think it's the worst place to be? 

Comments welcome!! 

My exciting Life - I won a new job

Yes, you got it right. I won a job! Had a phone interview with the Manager. Then followed a face-to-face interview with Manager plus 2 from the team. I was super confident after the interview. 3 days later got a call with the offer. Hooray! Here I am on my third day at work. 

Day one- Two meetings with small team and bigger team members. Training begun. Met 2 friends from other departments. 

Day two- Boss took me and the team out for lunch. We went to a Thai restaurant. Welcoming me to their team. A meeting with the CEO. And after his talk, as I stood in the lobby, he came around and greeted everyone. Handshake with CEO of my company.

Day three- Three meetings. Job assigned. Trainings going on in parallel. 

Great things about life-

1. Commute to work is unusually far, but no traffic. Happy driving. 

2. I go early and get back early. Plan walks and meet ups with friends/ neighbors for an hour or so. 

3. Days are getting longer. Weather is getting great. 

4. Having lunch with new friends at work and walks after lunch before we get back to work. 

5. Trying different varieties for food- he cooks, or we buy out- trying new restaurants, looking out for homemade food. 

Life is rocking.