Satender's house

So last night I went to see my driver's (Satender) new house. His parents sold their house, that he was living in and split the proceeds between the three sons (the daughter got a little bit but not much). So Satender used his money to build a new house. It's in an area of Delhi called Sanik Farms which was intended to be farm houses for the military, and apparently 80 of those exist there but there are 100s more that are just rich people and are illegal. Farm houses are a common term here but they don't mean what I think of as a farm house, really they just mean huge (and I mean huge) houses with a yard. Sometimes the yards are quite large and you can see the "farm" analogy but many today just have basic yards (a luxury in delhi, as it is in cities in the US). And here all the farm houses have huge walls around them so you can't see them and driving through the area is like going through a very complex maze.

And then suddenly the walls and farm houses end and the colony begins, which is much poorer. When we turned off the road to where Satender lives, I couldn't help but take a very deep breath. Dirt roads, a level of poverty that has become very familar to me here (these cement houses that look as though a wrecking ball hit them, they all seem to be missing a wall or a doorway or something). But I've never known the people who live in these places. But then we walk to his home and it is really lovely. Big sigh of relief. Marble floors (specially requested by his eldest daughter), high ceilings, a big living-dining area, three bedrooms and a nice sized kitchen. Of course 9 people live there so I expect that sleeping is cramped in 3 beds. Beyond the beds they have almost no furniture, a desk for the kids' studies, a dresser in his parent's room and a small living room set. I noticed there's no where to eat. And of course my housewarming gift was placemats and napkins and a set of serving containers for typical pickles or sauces. Hard to use without a table..... I was pleased to see that the doors and windows all have screens - as we're facing a dengue epidemic in the city.

They also have a second floor which they rent out to a family member (probably not actually related) for the going rate in the neighborhood of $20 a month!

And my visit was clearly a big deal. His wife looked much better than the only other time I met her (in the hospital). They had bought me the chocolate cake that I always have Satender buy me when I'm having a bad day:), and diet coke (which I don't drink but the other American girl in the office does so I understand the intent). Also dates and peanuts and cookies - it was clearly a special spread for me. And they bought me a garland of roses, which is the sign of an honored guest. His three children, wife, brother, niece and nephew were all there and they brought out the video camera, he said they had been eagerly anticipating having his madam come to visit. Oh, and they apologized that I had to eat the food with a spoon because they own no forks.

His eldest daughter is in 12th grade and depending on her test scores she's hoping to get a seat in one of the government colleges for her BA but there are very many people and very few seats. I wonder how much college would cost to go to a private one? His son, in 10th grade (and in a better school than the daughters) said his favorite class was English but they don't read any novels - that sucks, how does one learn to appreciate english if they just use text books?

Satender was obviously very proud of the house. He said he built it for his kids (I assume he meant to will to them later) and spent ALL his money on it. Which I believe. I'm just so relieved that it's a nice home.