The Golden Gate

In India, we live behind the golden gate.  In other words, when you are inside the property of our apartment hotel, you don't know you are in India.  This hotel is the home to many westerners.  Some for stays of just a few days, others for a month or two, and a few like us...long-term.  There are several nice things about this place:
- Playground.  Benjamin loves it and there is almost always someone to play with. 
- Breakfast is included - that is one meal a day that I don't have to prepare!
- Reliable - I've already heard enough horror stories about apartments.  Ones that get wet when it rains or apartments that are constantly out of power.
- Away from the beep-beep-beep of the rickshaws
- The super friendly staff that LOVES Benjamin
- Expat Moms - so easy to get connected to other expat moms staying here.  Only negative is they tend to be here for shorter assignments. 
In fact, another expat mom offered to take me with her to the grocery to show me what there is to buy, things that she buys or avoids, and what she looks for in the packaging, etc.  We did that on Wednesday...that was so helpful!!!  Unfortunately, I think this new friend will be leaving in January.

The negatives:
- Rene's work is 1hr and 15-30 minutes from here.  That can be 3 hours a day lost in the car...that is in addition to LONG hours at the plant.  I've asked...there is nothing like this closer and even the guest that have previously stayed at 5-star hotels in Pune, call this Paradise. 
- I think there is some kind of celebration facility near here, that has weddings or something almost every night.  We often hear loud music (like now) and hear-see fireworks (like at 7:45 last night when Benjamin was trying to go to sleep).
- Can't just walk out of the hotel to the shopping-restaurant area.  Need to take a car or rickshaw.  We are hoping to experience the rickshaw in the next few days.

Positive or Negative (?):  Still speaking German.  Most of the Expats are German families.