Gochiberto... Same Same but Different!: mayo 2007

Well…unfortunately, the time has come to leave our dear bangangsta…but I have to mention that it was not because we wanted to, but because the situation that we were going through lately made it uncomfortable to be living there.

The place itself was the best apartment I could have ever lived in though. It's one of the most spacious trainee flats in Hyderabad; we had everything there, all the conveniences were close to us… but most importantly what made this place feel like home was the people with whom I had the chance to share that roof with… and not only the roof, but the table at dinner, the living room when we gathered to watch movies, the rooftop at Christmas and some parties… every place in this apartment brings me such good memories.

But "problems were there", the landlord wanted to increase the rent too much and on a trainee salary we could not afford it, so we decided to leave the flat. That was not the problem itself, but the things that came after:

We didn't get our deposit payment back, due to a contract that was lost (or that no one had ever seen), therefore we weren't able to claim it. But we stayed 2 months without paying rent (anyway we had to pay for other services that were supposedly included with the rent).
Then the neighbors started to complain about us because we had not been paying the maintenance fee since three months back (something that we weren't even noticed of, because supposedly that comes included with the rent payment). In the end and due to some threats that we received from the neighbors we decided to pay that fee, and even though we had already paid it, they sent the police oven the next day.

There were some other issues that I'll tell later but well, finally last Saturday we left the flat. Actually I think I didn't realize I had to leave until I was packing my luggage.

It's sad to say good bye to this flat and to the people that lived here, although in the end it was only four of us. Sanjay moved to US because he got a good deal with Satyam, so he doesn't need to worry about moving out by now. Then Ego, Alicia and I moved in to the so-called "Colombian Flats" just a few meters away from bangangsta. The three of us live in the same building but in different flats each.

The place is good, now instead of having three flatmates I have 8: Camilo, Yonathan, Mario and Juan from Colombia, Yasar from Turkey, Yu Sha from China, Adam from Poland and Tino from Germany. But it's not only that, since we spend the time between this and the other flat in
the upper floor, so it's like having 17 flatmates. In the other flat live: Julian, Martha, Harry and Marco from Colombia, Magda from Poland, Anastacia and Tania from Russia, and Anca from Romania and Alicia.

So, it's a friendly environment, we've had fun watching movies, having long night talks in the balcony, playing Age of Empires… it looks like I'm going to have a great last month in Hyderabad.

Before closing this post I'd like to make a mention to all the bangangstas whom I can seriously consider each one of you as great friends. Every one of you taught me something from your own countries but especially you taught me something about yourselves, you are my Indian brothers and sisters and of course I have a great appreciation for you guys.

I will never forget:

Working with Igor at Byrraju Foundation, but specially commuting in buses and rickshaws, I learned a lot from you in this matter :p (Maybe you remind one time sharing the rickshaw and how I got mad because they always wanted to charge more even though it was only a few rupees hehehe, of course now I have changed)

That I (and also Alicia) want to be as Henry hehe because you always have something interesting to talk about, we could listen to you always but we don't have as much stuff to tell.
The night after Christmas at the rooftop: incent, Indian music, the rooftop lit by torches, the photo shooting session… and sharing that precious time with you guys.

Of course, the Christmas dinner where we all participated with something of our own, Colombian Chicken, Russian Salad, Korean Omelets, Mexican Desserts (and Spagethi) (and of course I don't forget about other cooks from other flats, specially that Ajiaco which Angela and Colombian David cooked and Yang Li's Chinese food)

Claire who was so supportive and nice to me, when I was in business wait we shared lunch everyday, sometimes Dosa, pizza… and a nice conversation about anything, the Mexican dinner at Tak Krishna, the trip to the golden triangle… I am very thankful with you Claire, for
that and too many other things.

My manito Anderson! And of course if it wasn't because of him I wouldn't have had come to SLC and have changed my mind about India and Indians themselves. Also as a friend a learnt a lot from you , Parce.

and of course! The muslim prayers at 5am...and later then like 5 times a day and the zoo that we had inside the flat (Ants, lizards and others) and outside the Promenade Apartments (Donkeys, Roosters, Dogs and of course Cows!)

I will miss:

Sharing dinner with Anderson, Younah, Claire and Igor… Soya Beans and Noodles are there!

Going to shilparamam all together

The elevator music!!!

Watching weird movies provided by Claire :p and any other movies with all the bangangstas. By the way, we never finished watching that Russian movie, Igor.

Playing jokes on Younah :)

Speaking Spanish with Anderson and Alicia and our discussions about our language.

The best word out of Ego's mouth: "Stupido!"

Behaving like a child with Sanjay and talking about useless stuff with him (and some useful stuff also :) )

The tandoori chicken provided by Avi and that he made us dress as the spice girls for that party :p

And last but not least: Alicia of course! I gotta say that you were my "right hand" not only in Bangangsta but this India thing overall. I know that I can still see you around but anyways I could not finish this post without thanking you for all. Of course I won't forget you were my human bank many times :)

Actually I'm even going to miss the maid and her yelling but I'm not going to miss paying her salary because she olny went randomly to 'killin' the house :)

…and Finally

I want to make a special note for the people that left Hyderabad this month, especially Sanjay, Colombian David, Yang Li and Sam. I wish you guys the best in your future ahead. I also hope that we can meet later. Good Luck everyone and keep in touch! (Facebook is there!)