Shifting time...

This week we are moving offices and it’s got me feeling all nostalgic about our current office located in Hauz Khas.

Firstly I think I’m going to miss my commute. My 50 minute walk to and fro is a daily adventure. It starts off with saying good morning to all the neighbourhood dogs by the park. It then involves using my survival skills to dodge rickshaws, eager men and obstacles on the pavements that include rubbish, burning rubbish, cows eating rubbish, sleeping dogs and large holes. Some parts I won’t miss, for example, crossing what I’ve affectionately nicknamed ‘Sewage Stream’ everyday. It has got a bit worse in the hot weather, as well as the simmering stench of methane, it has turned into a breeding ground for flies. So as well as having to hold my breath, I look vaguely possessed as I use my arms to swat away swarms of beasties that favour European flesh.

I’m also going to miss the area where the office is based in. Hauz Khas has a laid back arty feel and reminds me a bit of Greenwich. Our office is near the National Institute of Fashion & Technology, so I love seeing what all the Trendy Wendys are wearing and their curious looks as I rock past in a traditional salwaar kameez instead of skinny jeans. I’m going to miss the snoozing security guard that I always pass on my lunch time strolls, past the mini temple, along pristine shady pavements to the market. I love the smell of all the fruit stands, the fancy chemist where I spend time perusing the Himalaya range of beauty products (organic and affordable, on a VSO budget it’s a winning combination) and the newspaper stand where I get my fortnightly copy of TimeOut Delhi.

Most of all I’m going to miss our office. It really is unique and has a certain amount of charm to it. Located in a basement, it regularly floods during monsoon (I will be sadly missing out on the ‘electric waterfall’ come the rainy season, where we have a regular water feature next to the fuse box) and has damp patches that have a contemporary modern art feel to them. It’s a hub of activity and technology. If 24 had been shot in 1982, the set for Jack Bauer’s HQ would have been identical to our office. Most of my colleagues have screen reading software on their computers and phones, so there is constant background sound of mellow robotic chatter going on. Mixed with this is our Talking Book production department, so you will regularly hear clipped snippets of Huckleberry Finn from an Angela Rippon sound alike.

But I really can’t complain, our new office will have AC and it’s next to an infamous paratha wallah (thin, stuffed, fried mini naan bread) and my favourite Tibetan restaurant that serves momos (steamed dumplings) that are to die for. So that’s lunchtimes sorted then.

Highlights: The power of direct marketing - returning from our work trip in the North East to receive the first donation for Rs50,000 from our Annual Report DM campaign (it was a team effort but I think this means I’m officially a fundraiser now), having a very fun London weekend with the London Massive – dressing up in heels, clubbing until the wee hours on Friday night, ending the night with ice cream at India Gate at 2.30am and then hitting the air conditioned shopping mall on Saturday for some retail therapy – heaven, discovering the local outdoor Olympic size swimming pool - one swim costs the same as a month of yoga with Yoga Guru-Ji, but when it’s still 38° outside at 5.30pm you’ve got to speculate to accumulate...