I am sitting here at Aurus bar on a balmy Sunday afternoon in Juhu, Mumbai.
The waiter has just taken my order for another mojito with a left to right sway of his head as they do only in India.
The famous and ever popular Juhu beach is packed with families, young lovers and the odd hawker traipsing along in the sand.
It is hot. That kind of sticky, sweaty heat that you get when you know you are not in New Zealand.
Ahhh, that mojito arrived at the right moment. You say ‘Dhanyavad’ (Thanks).
The waiter beams at you with a super-sized smile and starts with the obligatory questions.
Welcome to India.
I have been living in Mumbai for just over three months.
Confusing mix
I am a New Zealand-born Anglo Indian, international gypsy of sorts with homes in France, Australia, now residing in India.
Confused? Well, sometimes even I am (especially when it comes to paying taxes and rates!), especially when asked, “Where are you from?”
It is a tough question to answer when you cannot remember yourself.
So, as you can imagine, I have a host of answers that change when it suits.
For instance, when I am in the presence of a South African or Australian rugby fanatic, I would say with a cheeky grin, “I am from New Zealand, the home of the All Blacks.”
I have assumed the title of “The Queen of The Suburbs” since I now reside in Bandra which is dubbed the “Queen of All Suburbs.”
But you can call me Queenie. My entourage includes the hubby, often referred as HRH (His Royal Highness) and the two wee ones aka “The Little Princes.”
Other characters also crop up along the way, like QM (Queen Mother), KCM (my philanthropic younger brother, who is an English teacher in some unknown Asian country), the PM (my dear French friend, who will be working with us as Project Manager) and the Minx (a new friend from the US, with whom I get up to lots of mischief).
So what are we doing in Mumbai?
A good question.
Fascinating transition
We are building a boutique-sized resort with our Indian business partner in Rajasthan (and getting a good insight into the business psyche in India).
Let us be honest; we are very lucky to lead a privileged life with so much choice and freedom and it has been so far a fascinating transition into Indian life.
I can already feel myself, HRH and the princes evolving with each passing day.
Life here has been colourful; tear your hair out frustrating, painful, exciting, laugh out loud, amusing but always adventurous.
Of course, these first three months have just been the beginning.
The tsunami wave of family and whanau are on the way.
We have the QM, KCM, my father and several friends, all arriving late December!
These past three months have also included the mad scramble to get our apartment together in time for Christmas.
Of course, a few bottles of chardonnay have been thrown in for good measure as I crossed each item on the list. Coffee table, tick; Coffee machine, tick; Glass of chardonnay, tick.
The Christmas bash
Christmas in India? Wow, I would never have thought about it!
I am sure it would not be anywhere as amazing as Diwali was but we will just have to create our own magic from Down Under.
The little princes will be spending New Year’s Eve at the Taj Mahal with their grandparents. I suppose, such is life when you call India home.
The benefits of living in India are many and most of them are things unseen to the eye.
But I can tell you that they are life changing.
Join my adventures as I muddle my way through life and all the experiences in Bandra and as we build our hotel in Rajasthan.
I am sure it will be entertaining, if not anything else!
For more regular updates, please visit http://queenofthesuburbs.blogspot.com
About the Queen Bee
Why is Bandra dubbed Mumbai’s Queen of the suburbs?
Leaving her familiar and more than comfortable previous life behind her, Queen Bee (she calls herself ‘Queenie’) endeavours to take Mumbai and all its offerings by storm. Packing up the two little princes, ‘His Royal Highness’ and their pedigree feline friends, they set off on their big Indian Adventure. Her rollercoaster ride of experiences while being rather humorous soon displays some home truths.
But will Queen Bee be up for the lesson?
Time will tell!
