Aug
16
Written by:
David Strickland
8/16/2007 6:57 AM
Well we made it. It's been a couple days since I've been able to get online to update everyone. We got here Wends morning. I guess to follow up on my last post Malaysia Airlines turned out OK. I'd have to give them a 10 on in flight service. Their stewards beat everyone else I've flown with. They are courteous and friendly. Though their ground personnel and service are terrible their in flight is exceptional so in the end they came out with an average score in my book. I might consider using them again.
After our arrival our ride met us at the airport and took us to the accommodations we had arranged at United Theological College here in Bangalore. After we checked in we were so tired we couldn't think about much but sleep. However as we pulled back the covers to crawl into bed we noticed that in the center of the bed was a rather large bed bug. Before I came to India I never knew what a bed bug was. Now I understand the statement "Good Night, Sleep Tight, don't let the bed bugs bite." Bed bugs suck blood and leave behind a welt like a mosquito bite. The only problem is where there is one there are generally many. As we started to look closer we realized the bed board was infested. Well over 50 where visible and many more likely invisible. Since it was 2 A.M. there wasn't much we could do about getting a new room. We took all the sheets off and gave them a good shake. We moved the bed away from the bed board to the center of the room and remade it. Then we got what sleep we could while killing what bed bugs we could see. My wife pointed out that they generally feed in the dark so we left the light on. Needless to say the 6 hours to breakfast where very long and provided very little sleep.
At breakfast we decided to check out and move into a new hotel. The next hotel was excellent. I'd highly recommend it the prices are ok and the service is excellent. Maxims Guest House in Cooke Town. Tel. 91-80-25474057. After checking in we started what is looking like will be a long search. Trying to find a home for ourselves and the girls is tough. We have looked at 8 places so far 1 was ok but much too expensive. The other 7 couldn't possibly work. Things here in Bangalore have gotten much more expensive then our last trip. Many things are double and it looks like rent will be one of them. We hoped to rent a house for ourselves and the girls for $500 or less a month. The one house we have seen so far that would work is over $1000. At $500 a month we have to put $5000 on Deposit and pay $500 to the rental agent. Our little detour in California cost us almost $2000. We started out $1500 under budget and the conversion rate has gone down from 45 to 40. As a result we currently have about half the rupees we budgeted for. It looks like we have some hard decisions ahead unless we can find acceptable accommodations soon for an acceptable price.