Of Food and Phones

Everyone at Intel here in Bangalore has been very welcoming and friendly. I’ve been adopted into a lunch group now and they see that I get good, authentic meals around town, that aren’t super spicy. I haven’t been one for spicy foods, but I’m adapting--my tolerance has gone way up already! The range of new tastes and flavors is wonderful and I’ve noticed I really can get by with just “veg” options. [btw, dishes, menus, restaurants, etc. are all labeled “veg” or “non-veg” - shown by green or red, sort of the traffic signal for vegetarians]. Still, the chicken and mutton dishes are delicious. So I really am enjoying the food. Looking at our recent photos, it seems that I may be developing the “carb” cheeks--so much rice and fried breads, despite my morning exercise routine? As for Robin, with the pregnancy, unfortunately she has had a little difficultly with spiciness. I’m becoming a less and less reliable litmus test for her as my buds adapt. There are a few things that help with the heat: 1) yogurt; you’re often dipping rice or naan (type of bread) into spicy curries of this and that; there’s usually also a small dish of yogurt which will sooth the mouth; 2) cucumbers; served frequently and they manage some cooling; 3) lassi: a frothy buttermilk drink which comes either sweet or salty. (As you can see in the photo, I’m eating with my hands, like most Indians do. However (and whoops!), unlike most Indians, I’m unwittingly using my left hand, which is traditionally reserved for toiletry duties… you are to eat with your RIGHT hand only! And while I’m here I’ll mention that it’s rather amusing that the brand label prominently displayed on the porcelain potties here in this country is “Hindware.”)

So that paragraph devolved straight into food talk. Back to the folks I’m working with at Intel… so nice in inquiring to our wellness and helping us get situated here. They’ve told us about cool places to go, restaurants, sites, tips for transportation, helped us get hooked up with the best touring agents/tours, they’ve given us rides here and there, and just been real great.

Here’s a phone story for you… my Intel buddies here thought it a good idea that I get some type of cellular phone solution going, in case we get lost, stranded, doomed, etc… I’d brought my cell phone, but didn’t figure I could use it here. Well Deepak took me next door (from Intel BGA1) to the Airtel store where he bought a prepaid SIM card for my phone. I put the card in my phone and got a “Phone Locked” message, “Enter Restriction Code.” M’oh boy. My Nokia had some lock on it. Goto Google. Found a forum ( http://www.unlocknokia.us ) which will provide the unlock code for you, FREE (while others charge $$). The code is long string of numbers and symbols unique to your phone serial number, service provider, etc. The web forum provided the code by the next day, and it worked! However, Airtel would not come up. Only the carrier “Hutch” appeared. Well, we didn’t purchase Hutch. But Dinesh’s service provider was Hutch, so he suggested we just switch phones. So now I have Dinesh’s phone with the SIM card Deepak got me, and Dinesh has my phone with his SIM card in it. The short of this: 1) Dinesh and Deepak are great, 2) unlock your cell phone before traveling abroad, 3) learn what GSM bands your phone really works on before purchasing prepaid minute SIM cards.