Jason Staines | jason.staines@me.com | 81 posts
It's a long way from the suburban sprawl of middle Australia and middle America, and for Delhi's expat spouses life can be one long, difficult struggle as they - Cnut-like - hold back the tide of incompetence exhibited by their domestic staff.
March 3, 2010
Amid the swirling chaos of screams and flying debris, I singled out my target. Engaged in a deep conversation with the person next to him, he didn’t notice my approach. I tightly gripped the handle of the gun I’d stolen as I edged forward, hoping he wouldn’t turn and notice me before I could get […]
February 20, 2010
Without a doubt, India is a photogenic country. From the Taj Mahaj to the Gateway of India you’ll find people viewing the country through their viewfinder. Quite apart from the obvious choices, there are numerous other things that any traveller will always end up photographing during their time in the country. Cows on the street […]
February 14, 2010
The western state of Maharashtra is, it must be said, not well known for its contributions to world cuisine. Austere, plain, simple are some of the more polite adjectives attached to food from the state. Plain, boring, dull are some of the less polite. For me, however, all is forgiven as the good people of […]
February 6, 2010
The melting pot that is India can lead to some odd cross-cultural moments. It’s not every day you find yourself standing in the courtyard of a five-star hotel in New Delhi drinking German wine and eating lamb ragout, duck and lobster while a three-piece Indian band cover ABBA songs and girls in fluffy versions of […]
January 30, 2010
Our sometimes driver, Balbir, had been planning his niece’s wedding for weeks. On trips around the city he filled us in on the machinations involved as a suitable boy was found, relatives were invited and accommodation sought. As the day drew closer he became increasingly stressed as the needs of many and varied relatives were […]
January 26, 2010
The Vuitton bags of the Delhi princesses are packed and their convoy of four-wheel drives is pulling out, the authors have had their fill of groupies and I've had my fill of free beer and food. Yes, another Jaipur Literature Festival is over.
January 24, 2010
Despite the best efforts of Kingfisher Airlines and their five-hour delay to my flight, I’ve finally made it to my second Jaipur Literature Festival where the Delhi social set come to be seen, authors come to get laid, and I come to get free food and the odd free beer. With three talks on at […]
January 23, 2010
The 2010 Bloggie nominations are out and fellow India writer Desiderata is up for an award in the ‘Best Asian Weblog’ category. So head on over to her blog then over to the Bloggies to get your vote in. Go on, you know you want to.
January 12, 2010
When we first arrived in India my wife asked me what places I’d like to visit on the subcontinent. “Shimla,” was my first option. “Ok, done. Where else?” “Shimla.” “Yes; and?” “Shimla.” And so on and so forth. I don’t know why the thought of Shimla was enough to induce me to irritate my significant […]
March 30, 2010