A month ago headlines ruling local newspapers were “Muslims pray for rain” and “Farmers waiting for rain” … Four days ago a headline ordered “Rain, rain, go away!”

The rain is here in full swing and most houses weren’t spared – ours included. In our house the rain came through the roof and walls. Luckily our landlord, who is quite fond of this particular house, arranged for the main problem areas to be sealed that same week. However, the dampness is still decorating the walls and is becoming worse after every shower. Our South African friends, John and Sian, who live on the other side of the city, had worse luck. They found an indoor swimming pool where their bottom floor used to be. To top it all, their offices, part of a brand new building, were flooded as well, and after a weekend of water and dampness, they found the workplace invaded by mould.

People in informal housing are really struggling, with all their belongings either destroyed or wet. It is hard to imagine how and where they sleep. The rain was so severe during one night that 14 people were killed by roofs collapsing on them.

Overnight the roads started to disintegrate, with craters almost everywhere and rivers running where cars, auto rickshaws and motorbikes are supposed to go. Needless to say, the traffic is much worse than usual and every trip to buy the necessary household stuff becomes a mission.

In Cape Town I used to love the rain – day and night. I used to curl up on a couch by the window, safe, dry and immensely happy. In India, when I wake up at night, hearing the rain pouring down, my stomach turns. In a sense I suppose it’s good, being pulled out of our comfort zone yet again and having to trust that we’ll be okay without some of the things that used to make our lives easier and comfortable. One learns how to look after yourself and be happy in a very different way.

“Right” in the aircon

One morning before taking off to drop Theo at the office, driver Sajid sniffed around the front of the car and declared that something foul was up with the aircon. When Theo asked what was wrong, he declared “Right!” Right? He only knows about “right” and “left” said Theo, quite puzzled. “No, Sir,” said Sajid. “Right that ran over road when Madam was in the car!” Rats.

Very disgusted, Sajid dropped Theo off at work and took the car in to have the aircon inspected. And indeed, three small rats were pulled out of the airon. According to Raju and Sitaram there are many rats running up and down the trees under which the car is parked (our house, like most houses in Hyderabad, doesn’t have a garage). So we’ll have to see how long it takes before the next “right” decides to explore our aircon!

Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan and meeting the neighbours

On Friday, 15 August, India celebrated its independence, which happened in 1947. And for the first time this year Shriram also celebrated a holiday with its fellow citizens, so Theo had the day off. But, of course he got to relax alone, because my holidays are according to the SA calendar.

Big celebrations were arranged for that day, and Raju made sure to decorate Theo’s chair at the breakfast table with a big Indian flag (as usual, the madam was merely a presence in the house, so no flag for me!).

Late that afternoon we were invited by our neighbours across the street for a Puja (they are Brahmins, which is the highest cast according to the Hindu tradition). It turned out that Friday was also an auspicious day for them, which meant that they paid tribute to their gods. It included inviting people into their homes to where symbols of their gods were displayed and giving them something to eat. They invited us to sit in the room decorated with the symbols of the gods, and fruit and flowers with which tribute was paid to these gods. Even though we don’t share each other’s religions, Theo, Sian (who was visiting us) and I found them to be extremely pleasant and hospitable people, and we wouldn’t think twice about getting together with them again.

On Saturday Raksha Bandhan was celebrated – a day for sisters and brothers. The sister would bind a sacred thread (a raksha or rakhi), embellished with sister’s love and affection for her brother, to her brother’s arm and the brother would promise to always protect her. We saw many boys and men wearing colourful bands around their arms.

Auto ride

Not having a driver or proper directions on Sunday to go for a bit of fun and shopping at Shilparamam, a fair/picnic ground in Hitech City, Theo and I, and John and Sian ordered two auto rickshaws to be our transport for the day.

Apart from the fumes and loud hooting that were much closer than usual, as well as the occasional splash of water when a car next to you races through a dam in the road, it was good fun. We’ll easily do it again!