9 Months!!!

Phew..... it is flying by!! 9 months down!

It is fitting to reflect on some of the many perks of being here in India. When we first moved here, I was a little frustrated with the lack of freedom by not driving here. But it is like me to look for positives in the situation.

So here goes... The perks of having a driver!!

• Being able to give the driver your shopping list for the day, along with some cash. He knows just what to buy. Usually once or twice a week, he will make a run for us. Typically it is fruits/veggies, milk, bread, yogurt, etc.... the basics.
• Never having to wait to fill gas. I have a corporate gas card so on the days that we need gas, I give the driver the card, he fills up. I never have to 'deal' with the process. And let me tell ya, it can sometimes be a lengthy process to fill gas!!
• Being able to sit in the back seat of the car and read or play games on my pda while the driver maneuvers thru the adventures of Bangalore traffic.
• Never having to go to pay bills. Again, here paying phone and electricity bills is a little different, you don't mail the payment. You go to 'make' the payment. The driver takes care of this for us.
• The driver helps when we need a bouquet of flowers or a box of sweets if we have a party to go to! Just give him the money, and off he goes.
• You know when you realize at the last minute that your ran out of something you needed... yep, the driver to the rescue!!
• Never having to wash the car. The car is his to keep clean. Both inside and outside!!

Now you can see that losing the 'freedom' associated with driving is a small price to pay!! There are many perks to having a driver!!! Don't get the wrong idea... we are not 'abusing' our driver by making him do all of these things. It is the 'norm' for all the drivers here. Gotta love it!!