A tip and an apology can go along way. We were originally told not to tip in the hotel restaurant, but service has improved immensely since Linda tipped the waiter on our last buffet bill. At the time she provided the tip, she also called the hostess over to explain to the hostess that we had been instructed not to tip, that it wasn’t expected in the hotel, and apologized. Since the tip was provided, we no longer have to wait years to be served and the staff is bending over backwards to make our experience as enjoyable as possible. Linda was allowed to order of the childrens’ menu, bottled water arrived at the table without having to be requested. Bread baskets contained warm bread and were refilled when emptied… it’s such an amazing change. Anand and I will definitely have to remember to include a tip on our bills if we eat at the restaurant again before leaving the hotel.

Today, everyone is wishing each other a happy Diwali. I found an excellent description of Diwali on the net, so rather than attempting to explain it, I’ve provided you all with a link to the site above.

It appears we scheduled our gold shopping on the proper day. It is considered to be a good omen to buy gold or silver on this day, as it is Dhanteras. Following the traditions of the new country, Linda, Bill and I purchased some items at a jewelry store on Commercial street. Anand, as usual, did a lot of window shopping. We can’t pick on him too much today, since we razzed him on Tuesday about purchasing the rug. Today, he has a get out of teasing free card – at least when it comes to shopping.

Linda, Bill and Anand had their first trip in an autorickshaw this afternoon. Lucky for Anand, Manish and I, we had a decent driver. We’re not sure where Bill and Linda’s driver got his license, but a cracker jack box comes to mind. He was an absolute maniac on the roads. However, now Linda and Bill can brag that they’ve survived the adventure of a lifetime.

Our auto ride ended just in the nick of time. The skies opened shortly after we crawled into our cars and the streets were quickly flooded. Autos became stuck in the road as their engines flooded. Motorists stopped their mopeds and left them by the side of the road as they ran for cover. In an attempt to get us to work safely, our drivers took a trip through back alleys where only one car could pass at a time. While traffic wasn’t a concern on this route, the flooding seemed more concentrated here. We were amazed at how quickly the city flooded – considering it had only been raining for 20-30 minutes. Despite Manish assuring us that it wasn’t monsoon season, it rained cats and dogs for over 4 hours before clearing and returning to the humid Bangalore weather we had become used to.

Safe and sound at work, we listened to the rain beat down and watched lightening flash across the sky.

As we left work for the evening, Linda and Bill said their goodbyes. Without skipping a beat, Linda announced that Anand was single and in need of a wife before he leaving India. Anand turned a bright shade of red and we could see the wheels churning as people tried to think of friends or family who might fit Anands’ criteria.

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