Pimp My Ride

Along with our driver, we were given a cool Toyota Innova, which is a cross between a station wagon and a mini van.  The driving company asked George if he wanted to switch the fabric seats to leather seats free of charge.  We decided that would be a good upgrade, but little did we know that a full blown pimp my ride makeover was about to happen.  When Ravi pulled up and I saw our car with tan and bright orange seats I only had one question: WHY?!?! Ravi then told us he thought “sir George’s” favorite color was orange based on his running shoes.

Now I am on the hunt for some fuzzy dice to hang on the rearview mirror. 

The Inspiration:

The Makeover:

Welcome Home

Sorry we have been MIA from the blog for a while, but getting the Internet in Bangalore is a lengthy process.  We FINALLY were able to move into our house, or villa as they call it here, on February 10.   We received all 40 keys….yes that’s right 40 keys!  Everything in this house has a lock on it and a separate key to go with it. 

For those of you looking for a pen pal our address is:

Villa 411 at Adarsh Palm Retreat

Devarabeesanahalli, Outer Ring Road

Bangalore, Karnataka, India 560037

Landmark: Intel

Now the interesting thing about mail here.  We have received one letter from the company that shipped

our stuff from the US.  They spelled the city wrong, had the wrong zip code, and added a few more streets in there but it still made it to our house.   I have learned that there is no “correct” way to address mail here.  You just have to basically write out directions to your house and hope for the best. 

Ravi Kumar

Ravi Kumar

Introducing our driver, Ravi Kumar.  Our original assigned driver was an older man named Servana.  During our first weekend with him, we quickly noticed he brought us to a few shops we didn’t ask to go in hopes of him making some commission off of our purchases of Indian rugs or other Indian souvenirs.  We quickly had him replaced.   Manju, another driver for KPMG, recommended we try and get his “brother-cousin” as our new driver.  (Brother-cousin is a cousin).  In came Ravi.  

Ravi has been nothing short of Awesome since we have had him.  He has been so helpful in communicating with locals who don’t speak English, being ready 30 minutes before we need him, making us laugh, making sure no one is scamming us, going with us in areas we aren’t certain, teaching us Indian culture, teaching me cricket. 

Here are a few fun facts about Ravi:

Age -23

Favorite color – Blue.  (He wanted everything in his room blue)

Favorite food - Chapati

Favorite drink – Room temperature water

Best Friend - Manju

Car – Toyota

Bike – Suzuki

Favorite Sport – Cricket

Favorite Team – India Cricket

Favorite WWE Superstar – The Big Show and The Rock

Favorite Cell Phone Game – Snake

Hobbies – Playing Cricket, pressing every button in our house, popping packaging bubbles, watching Bollywood movies

 Ravi and Julie enjoying a tender coconut

Me and Ravi eating our Saturday morning Dozas