What my rent covers…
- A fridge that wasn’t keeping things cold now freezes anything that is placed in it…no matter if the dial is turned on or off…
- The electric bill paid on time.
- A hot shower.
- A washing machine.
- Internet access.
- Extra protein, in the form of beetles and ants, in my noodles.
- Mice exploring my garbage and empty luggage, and leaving small presents occasionally.
- No space heaters in the winter. Buy a hot water bottle—the kind your granny used—and learn to enjoy flannel pjs and wool socks.
- An efficient, humorous and kind “kaam garne didi,” or house help.
- A leaky hot water pipe, broken toilet seat, and finicky gas element stove.
- A battery back-up unit, providing electric light and internet access for up to five hours during black outs.
- Seven friendly and social housemates, heralding from four different countries.
- Disappearing and reappearing pots and pans…
- A consistent water supply.
- Chocolate brownies, banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, and cornflake cake baked by my hostel mates.
- A chowkidor that keeps the flower garden, says “namaste” to me through the kitchen window, grows beans and tomatoes in the backyard, and always wears a freshly-pressed, multi-colored topi.
- Big male monkeys that lope through my yard and climb over my roof. No, they have not escaped from the neighboring zoo.
- Awesome Himalayan views from my roof.
- Hostel mates that are experts at conversation.
- Neighborhood boys who consistently kick their half-deflated soccer ball over the wall, and come searching through the flowerbed to find it.
