How long does it take....??

Aishah

Well, done my HW, checked out all threads, the topic doesn't quite fit getting the gas connected or CLLS (constant low level stress syndrome)although it has elements of both topics, so am posting a new thread...
The title explains it all. One of the big differences between living back in one's former country and here is the narrow range of skills of the people around me including Mr K! There are very few handyman tools here, except for minor plumbing and electrical problems which our nephew is an expert at fixing. We do not own an electrical drill or specific plumbing spanners etc. The thing is to get the man who does,in to do the job. I have no objection to this as it spreads employment around, however frustration sets in with this approach as days go by before the job is done!
In Feb I bought some miniature paintings in Bundi, finally got them framed 3 weeks back in Jodhpur, brought back here and daily I am waiting for mr k to bring the suttara (carpenter - word something like I have spelt it)so we can drill holes into cement, plug with wood and put the nails for hanging them. Daily I ask for him - sometimes he has gone to his village for a 'festival', sometimes Mr K forgets.. It goes on and on.. eventually it will be done. How different to my previous life, where one day later all done by the live-in 'handyman'! We used to have everything but the kitchen sink as they say in Oz & NZ by way of handyman tools.
From the day we bought our land to the day we moved in it took us four years...
I am sure many other stories out there in the community of similar frustrations! Do you cope with these? Do you become like me, lose my block occasionally then resign myself stoically as Mr K reminds me, "This is India!"

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"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

capt_mahajan

Oh boy, I can't wait for Nick to return to contribute to this thread.

I cope by doing stuff myself wherever possible, and supervising like hell. I have a full toolbox, drill, plumbing and electrical stuff, etc.

If it gets too much, I tell the wife to handle the #$%^&*&s

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Outside the machine

Aishah

I think the laughs I will get from the answers in this thread might help me cope! Mr k is useless with tools and I am the one with the screwdriver, my old tabla hammer now used in a multi-purpose way, and some heavy duty pliers.. but drilling holes in these walls is beyond me.

vandy

Here in the land of OZ, you can get a certain
type of nail which hammers straight into concrete.

Maybe you should open a Hardware Store?

Everytime Mr K comes to your store,you could put
the "OUT TO LUNCH" Sign up.Heee,Heee

Rgds
vandy

Aishah

Thanks for the hint about nails, Vandy. I will be back next April so will stock up then. They sound an excellent idea and if I can use my tabla tuning hammer i can do the job myself! We have plenty of hardware stores here - enjoyed your joke!!

brownboy66

I'm regretting the fact that I left 2x tool boxes at home (including my plumbing supplies)complete with a cordless drill, hammer drill, circular saw, and orbital sander. What I did bring up was a 132 piece socket set (which has already been used on the car), and a smaller multi purpose tool set (which has found lots of use so far). What I'm really missing is my PC tool kit. It's got my static strap, precision screw drivers, etc - all the things I need to build a PC.

I'm steadily coming to the opinion that the entire nation may be one great big DIY continent - which I think is great. I've always done the DIY thing myself - and it helps that as a student I've worked in a garage, been a builders labourer back home, etc - that sort of thing. Also having a background in telecommunications and IT is proving helpful (spent most of last week fixing two laptops for a couple of friends here after both machines went belly up).

Recently we had a problem with our generator - the power would go off and it would start up - but no power. After a couple of weeks of various handymen, engineers - still no solution. Had a look at the control panel myself, and found 2 relays - one connecting mains to the house, and the other connecting the generator to the house. Sure enough the relay that connects the mains power to the house was not disengaging when the power went off. So the generator would detect the power was off - start up - but would not engage the relay from the generator to the house because the other relay had not disengaged (probably a safety mechanism designed to stop both sources from operating at the same time and blowing up everything in the house). So a couple of taps on the housing and viola! It disengages, the generator relay engages and we have power (its since been replaced).

I do prefer to do most things myself - especially if its something I'm familiar with.

Aishah

Brownboy you sound a gem in this field of maintenance, repair &DIY!! One of my worries is if my laptop breaks down - I have goose pimples typing this with a fear just saying it will bring down the bad luck - I am hoping there is an expert here who can repair it! Your family is so lucky to have you!

brownboy66

don't know about that! I think sometimes the family could do without the sense of humour that comes with it! Back home I use to charge a bottle of wine for every pc/ laptop repaired. Built up quite a nice cellar.....

Computers are one of those things that need a regular check up to prevent major problems further down the track. Tell you what - next time your in Delhi bring your laptop down and I'll give it a check up (no wine required).

Aishah

Brownboy - I may take you up on your generous offer, thank you! I will next be in Delhi in December, will PM you details. You might find many other IM'ers interested in your computer skills in Delhi and your wine cellar will flourish! My laptop hasn't been checked since i bought it in Dec. last year.

brownboy66

Anything for a fellow countryman - I mean country person.....comrade? Mate, cobber, cuzzy!

by the way - did I mention the 20/20 cricket and the black caps against England and India?

Aishah

Well there must be some luck in putting a post - today my pictures were finally hung! I read this thread out to Mr K who is illiterate and this morning a carpenter turned up with his electric drill. He did 2 holes then said the drill was no good and he didn't have screws. I gave him 50 rupees for taxi and screws and he was back an hour later. From the time he first turned up to completion took 4 hours. This was to drill 19 holes, plug and screw!
Any other horror stories????

Prashant.M

Lots when it comes to home renovation but I rather not go into it now. Too traumatic and too soon . Maybe in some distant time, when the wounds have healed...

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Happiness is just a thought away

Aishah

Write us one after time passes and you can finally laugh at the scenario...Sorry to hear of the traumas Prashant. My worst moments you know I seem to totally forget until someone reminds me then prompts the recall.
Nick -H - I am sure you might have some gems??

Nick-H

Just...

Don't Ask...

OK?

Prashant may be healing;

I'm still in surgery

Nick-H

...Odd jobs is fine. It's great to be able to get someone in to spend an hour doing something that, in London, you either did yourself or took out a bank loan --- but anything major.........