Indian time vs Carribean time: India 34 - Carribean 3

Indian time is much much greater than Carribean time. People in India know how to chilll with a triple 'l'. Let me explain, before you stop reading in protest, this is not about which time is better in terms of sipping pina coladas by a swim-up bar (because we definitely know who'd win that contest). This is about how Indian time is so awesome that it doesn't exist as a concept:

Two key examples:
1) Basic processes take a lot longer in India than anywhere else. Let's say it takes 1 hr to open an account in the US (conservative, I've opened ones in less than 10 min). It probably takes around 3 days in the Caribbean (what with all the Malibu Rum breaks and taking it easy). My bank account in India took 34 days-- no joke.

2) People are often extremely late to social commitments. I thought I was bad in New York, but I've had to get much worse India just to fit-in. Basically, people never look at what time a dinner or event is, they just show-up whenever they feel like which ends up being on average ~1 hr late.


Also, double super secret prize for the first person to comment where that score is from. I'll give you one clue, "Die Favre Die." But if you needed the clue, you're disqualified, sorry. Don't worry, it's all honor code though, just like your taxes.

Repat journey complete...sort of

No, it's not the end of the blog (although I realize the posts have been rather few and far in-between these days). Technically, as of Friday, I am no longer a re-pat. I'm finally a US citizen! Guess I'm just another expat in India now. Anyway, the citizenship swearing-in ceremony was an interesting experience. Some highlights from the event:

1) In the 150 people being sworn in with me, we had 53 countries represented. 46 of the 150 people were Dominicans--guess that's what I get for doing it in New York.

2) Average color in the room was my shade of brown/slightly darker; in stark contrast to the videos of Ellis Island they showed us during the ceremony

3) Extraordinary emphasis on my being "willing to bear arms" for America. Apparently, this is the most important American value

New York this weekend!

I'm in New York this weekend. If you're around and want to meet up, let me know. My 347 number still works.

Also, Happy New Year to all! I know I'm a little slow on postings these days. Blame it on the holiday season.