This is Deepa, our cook, cleaner, and laundresse. These jobs are usually highly specialized and we'd be expected to hire one each. For example, when many plants I had purchased arrived at our home, Deepa inquired when I would be hiring a gardener. But managing a household of workers has little appeal for me and others, and we are expecting more and paying more. Deepa currently earns approximately $165/month, working 6 days a week, 8 hours a day. She travels 90 minutes to work and takes 3 buses to get here. She takes holidays: Today is Indian Independence Day, so she won't be coming today nor tomorrow. She decides on the menu for the week, goes to the market, and prepares our evening meal. So far it's been a lot of chicken and dal, but this week she made a curry lamb dish that was wonderful. I'm pleased with anything someone prepares for me at the end of the day, however Craig and Evan have been less than enthusiastic some days. As far as I'm concerned, ironed shirts, clean floors, made beds, and a warm meal everyday....she is my goddess.
Indian Independence Day doesn't get too many people excited: It's too hot and rainy for parades so the only ceremony is the Prime Minister unfurling the flag atop the Red Fort, the old mogul fort in Old Delhi, where it was first unfurled 60 years ago. There will be a televised 'state of the nation' speech, and Delhiites will escape the city for the long weekend. However, AES (American Embassy School) invites classical dancers from the Punjab each year to put on a performance in the school gym. At the end of their 40 minute show, they invited everyone to
join them on the floor and it was quite a party.
No comments:
Post a Comment