| Initially we were shocked by how much
Vadodara had changed - it was alive,
happening and there was this different
vibe to it which is changing continuously.
We had expected it to be a lot quieter
but there's a lot of buzz at night. It's the
manner of life here that hits you -
energetic, vibrant, safe and positive. |
|
| People are fantastically kind and helpful.
Nobody hustles you - you can go
shopping and enjoy the experience
instead of being badgered all the time.
You don't have to struggle to balance
life - home is about 5 minutes away so
I get to give equal attention to business
and home. There's plenty of help around
and at reasonable rates. It's safe and in
fact, pro-women - women are
encouraged and not looked down upon.
Socialising is easy given the short |
|
|
| distances. Chris's parents, especially,
enjoy the whole experience of being here
when they come to visit - they blend in
and move around almost like locals. |
|
| The Expat Club, of which Simi is a
member, has worked fantastically as a
support system and as a place for
enjoyment. Existing expats support the
new ones to get used to the city - what
to do, where to go, where to shop, what's
best for your kids - things like that. |
|
| What has stayed with us the most is the
dance festival - Navratri. It takes over the
whole town - it's an amazing experience
when you see that volume of people
dancing at the same place that way.
Unless you experience it first-hand, you
can never understand what it really is. |
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