Welcome back to This is India! I always have funny/weird stories about India to share with friends or family when I talk to them. This is just meant to be an honest portrayal about my life in India through short anecdotes. I also share here what I’ve been up to online outside Hippie in Heels.
What I was up to other than here:
- I’ve been in Toronto this week… more to come later. Make sure you’re following on my Instagram!
- I did an interview Expert – India for Girl About the Globe
- A list came out called Top 100 Travel Blogs and Hippie in Heels was in the top 100.. woo hoo. There were 2,100 travel blogs taken into consideration and 17 of the 100 were solo travel blogs and this here blog was one of them… it was based totally on the writers’ opinion not stats, but still I’ll take a pat on the back after writing so much on this website! which I LOVE doing ;)
Now your story,
Three times a year at my home in Assagao, a guy comes with a big spray bottle and walks around spraying pesticides or something that kills all the bad bugs in your home.
In the states, we only call on this when we have a problem and don’t do it preventatively. We also would have to leave the house probably for a couple days after the house is “fumigated”. I’m not sure what they spray in India but it’s strong and it’s pretty intense.
They spray it around every edge of the house and it takes all day to dry. I have to take the animals outside, but they act like it’s no big deal and people stay in their house while it’s being done. Even I have before if I have a lot of work to do.
For the following days after, lizards fall from the ceiling and cockroaches crawl out from under the kitchen cabinets. Luckily, it means no more ants in the kitchen! The guy didn’t use to wear a mask but has started to. I took a photo once but can’t find it!
This is India!
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feature image: ocean
Aaahh, that freaks me out. Sometimes I really worry about the weird chemicals that are used in certain countries. But for the most part I try not to think about it…I mean what can you do? At least there are no more ants in the kitchen? ;)
Well there were when I wrote this… but they are back lol right through the back door to where my dogs’ bowl is UGH!
.A few years ago while I was visiting a Mombasa beach resort, I stopped to use the lobby’s ladies room after an early morning walk. Suddenly, the door violently bangs open, followed by this horrible blasting phissssssing sound!!!!
Instantly the room was totally engulfed in a lethally suffocating white cloud!! I was sure I’d die right there in the toilet! What an epithetthat would have been!!!
Goodness knows what they use in Kenya to fumigate! White Cloud really gives another meaning!
Side note: Child-bearing-aged woman should be very careful and should be evacuated for much longer than a few hours after malarial spraying. Years ago WHO used DDT in Asia in it’s failed 1950’s malaria eradication program and it is still residual in water. There’s still tons stockpiled all over the world. We had dusted DDT powder liberally on floors when we stayed in villages that were infested with fleas years ago. Of course that was before any studies showed DDT stays residually in the body, especially affecting breast milk, forever.
Happy note: Again, so wonderful to read another of your awesome interviews. Keep traveling so beautifully!
Hi Christine, you’re always so full of knowledge!! THanks for sharing with everyone. That must have been horrible in the ladies room lol wowza.
Hi Rachel,
I love your blogs and it makes me laugh at myself a lot. Being an Indian, it is quite amusing and sometimes embarrassing. Actually a lot, of the things u say, as very unusual and seemingly educating ur audience, are already covered by Indian stand up comics. It would be great if u can refer them, It will not only give a global perspective but ll also make the audience sensitise to what Indians think about themselves
Hi Siva. I don’t know any Indian comics to refer to them but I’m glad you like the blog!
Hi,
I love the positive energy that comes form every article, India is truly an amazing place and your life there sounds truly incredable. I had a dream since my youth to live in India, I loved everything about South Asian Culture and I was a geeky anthropology Major in college. Anyway I am now 49 and want to live and work in India the rest of my life but am being told there is no way I can get past the 180 day in country rule and must be able to make 25,ooo USD with an Indian employer to stay on a permanent basis. I love your articles but is there anyway you divulge exactly how you are able to stay in country if you and not a student or working for a major corporation. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated because its been a nightmare trying to become a permanent resident, and its all I ever wanted to do.
Thanks
Glenn
It’s almost impossible to become a resident. You can get up to 10 years tourist visa depending on where you are from. But whether it’s tourist or business visa, you have to exit every 180 days which I do
Yes true. We also stay at home but guy doesn’t spray pesticides. He just add some paste at the corners of places where there might be cockroaches or bugs etc. etc. And within few days all are almost gone but yes, the guy doesn’t wear a mask nor we.
hmm I wonder if the paste is safer. I may ask next time.
I got fumigated in Bangalore once!! I was walking along the street, and this truck drives past spraying some crap out on to the city sidewalk! I only had time to cover my mouth and nose with my hand – it didn’t sting my eyes or anything, but it was a really toxic smell. Malaria prevention, I was told, although I’m skeptical as to how effective it is.
muahahah! that’s amazing!