Get by with a little help

Life in the U.S. is difficult sometimes. That feeling of freedom many Americans feel when they reach 18 and are completely indepependent is quite liberating until the time you realize that you'll be working until you're 105 years old you now have to take care of EVERYTHING. YOURSELF.

It's not the same in south Asia where there are so many people to help you. Anybody in middle class in south Asia can afford servants and many have several. (Note that servants are people who get paid to help around the house, with...well, whatever people might need help.)

Vacationing at my in-laws house in south Asia is so relaxing. From the moment I arrive, I know I'll hardly have to lift a finger (unless I want to, that is) until the time I leave. That means no ironing, cooking, cleaning, or even driving. I abhore cleaning, and while I DO like to cook, it's definitely nice to have a break from it once in awhile.

I like having extra help around the house, especially in south Asia where my clothes have to be ironed every day before I can get dressed. On the flip side, I try not to get too accustomed to the concept (after all, I'm only on vacation and as soon as I get used to it, it's usually time to go) or take advantage of the situation too much. All my requests invariably include "please," "thank you," or sometimes "thank you very much." (Generally, any native south Asian within earshot thinks this is hilarious since that's...well, just not how it's done.)

Unfortunately, the power supply in Pakistan can be slightly unreliable.  The issue of power shortage is managed by load shedding (as it's called over there) where power is shut off in specific neighborhoods at regular times throughout the day. Although our family has a gas-powered generator that we use during those times when the power is off, we don't usually power the iron (for clothes) while the generator is running.  Because of this, when I'm on vacation in south Asia, I make a habit of giving my clothes for ironing a day or more ahead of time so that I don't end up with nothing to wear. (Even with this careful planning and thinking ahead, it's difficult to always anticipate the clothes I'll need ahead of time...so sometimes I still end up without pressed clothes.)

At my in-laws home, we also have a driver who takes us around wherever we want to go. In the U.S., I enjoy driving my MINI Cooper, but there are times when I'm tired and just don't feel like driving or when I don't want to deal with traffic. It can't get much easier in south Asia:  I just have to sit down in the car and tell our driver where I want to go.  I love it!

Anyway before I know it, the vacation is over and life has to go back to normal, which in the U.S. still means cooking, cleaning, ironing, and so many other little tasks and responsibilities that I definitely didn't miss while on vacation. In which case, I'm usually already wishing for my next vacation.