My life is coming to a point of inflection very soon, for the following reasons
· My PhD application is nearly complete – I’ve only to ensure my last referee sends in his recommendation letter, and that’s it. The process is out of my control. So far, the university I’m applying to has responded to my application positively – in that from my discussions with them, what they want is very much in line with what I’ve to offer. I just really hope they see that
· I’m moving – I’ve lived in Lower Parel for a year now, and it has challenged a piece of conventional wisdom of mine: That the posh areas of a city are located in its Central Business District (CBD). Mumbai has several CBDs – the key ones being Nariman Point, Lower Parel and Andheri (I’ve lived in the latter two during my time in India). I thought living in one of these areas would be like living in Canary Wharf – an uptown area which oozed sophistication and cool. I was wrong. This is where ignoring the history of an area comes at one’s peril. I’m not sure about why Andheri is so crappy (for the Mumbaikars amongst you, I was living deep in Marol) but Lower Parel was traditionally a mill area (and therefore highly industrialized) and most of the accommodation was built for the mill workers. And so I’m now living amongst pure Maharashtrans who speak only Marathi, living in joint families and celebrate Marathi festivals. I’m now moving to a place just off Carter Road in Bandra. For those of you who don’t know, Bandra is an upscale suburb of Mumbai populated more famously by Catholics and less famously by Muslims. It’s a great place to live as there is lots to do – courses, promenades, restaurants, cafes, etc.
· My surgery is almost behind me – My stomach muscles have weakened considerably and I’ve put on some weight, but the pain has all but ceased. After a few more weeks I should be able to do some light exercises!
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