Hi. My name is Hilary and this was my blog about my time as an American India Foundation William J. Clinton Fellow. Now it’s just my blog about living in Mumbai. Enjoy and let me know what you think.
The thoughts expressed here are my own and are not a reflection of the American India Foundation or my current employer.
Dear Hilary
I’m a friend of Trekhal’s from Kenya. I saw his link to your blog and am up waiting for my workaholic lawyer boyfriend to return home from work somewhere circa 11pm. So I’m generally just delving into people’s personal business on Facebook as a way of keeping myself awake.
Its excellent- the blog. I laughed heaps. Two things I can recommend if you don’t already know- when you take off your shoes, wash your hands immediately (that’s unless you didn’t use your hands and just kicked them off) and the salt and water to wash your veg, bleach and water works a treat too. I’d also say before eating anything, or generally putting anything near your mouth, eyes, or noes use that alcohol gel sanitiser. Though I realise given you can’t access basic food supplies and may not want to look like a neurotic foreigner this may not be the best suggestion.
Also you’ll be happy to know I’ve lived in South Africa, Kenya and Australia and I’ve never seen eggs that are refridgerated in a store though I keep them in the fridge at home. I also eat eggs that expired 6 months before so maybe I’m not the best egg-pert.
Anyway it may be frustrating at times, but I’m sure its all worth it.
Take care,
Kelly
Thanks! I love writing it. I wouldn’t put all my business out there if I didn’t want people to read it, so please, delve away
I definitely wash my hands a lot here, particularly with bathroom, eating, money-handling, etc. – I’ll keep shoe-handling in mind too!
I’ve stopped caring about the eggs, I guess. I even drink non-refrigerated milk here… oops.
And yes, it’s all totally worth it.
Let me know if there’s anything in particular you want to hear about!
Hilary
Hi Hillary was great reading some parts of your blog. really good work..
great going . And yeah love your style of writing 
Why do you post so many offensive things about India?
Also, when are you leaving?
Hi, thanks for reading! I post so many criticisms because India, like every country, has problems. If they are offensive to you I apologize. I write about how I experience living here as a single foreign woman, a situation which is less than comfortable most of the time. I love India though, and it’s all worth it. I don’t know when I’m leaving. I couldn’t help but notice your IP address is in DC. When did you leave India?
“living here as a single foreign woman, a situation which is less than comfortable most of the time.” amen to that. educated brown dudes have NO idea what us white ladies have to deal with over here.
Thanks for backing me up on that, Bronwyn. It’s rough out here!
Hilary, I was born in the United States. I am glad you love India, but imagine if some ‘brown dude’ came to the United States and blogged about how all the women are loose, the people are rude and the food is crap. He would probably be dragged off to Guantanamo, No? You are lucky Indians are such a tolerant people.
If the guy’s blog was funny, I would probably laugh with it and appreciate it. There are tons of things I find awful about America. The women can definitely seem oversexualized, the people can be uncouth, and most of our food is completely inexcusable. If anyone does find a blog making fun of us please let me know! Oh wait, we already have The Onion and every other blog ever. And was that last part of your comment a threat?! Yikes.
If the guy’s blog was funny, I would probably laugh with it and appreciate it. There are tons of things I find awful about America. The woman are definitely seem oversexualized, the people can be uncouth, and most of our food is completely inexcusable. If anyone does find a blog making fun of us please let me know! Oh wait, we already have The Onion and every other blog ever. And was that last part of your comment a threat?! Yikes.
Hilary, that was not a threat, just a statement. Indians are much more tolerant than most people.
But I’m glad you explained yourself.
I LOVE your blog Hilary!!! I just found it via facebook newsfeed and it is spectacular, man, what an adventure you are having. I just love the relationship with (Cristina?) your maid, it is just so sweet!
xx
Kelly
Thanks so much, Kelly, and a belated congratulations
My maid’s name is Celestina – amazing, right? I hope you are doing well too! Let’s catch up soon.
” amen to that. educated brown dudes have NO idea what us white ladies have to deal with over here.”
I guess the brown dude was well confused why some of you “so call expats” consider moving and living in such a challenging country “like India” then moan and whinge about it!! No bloody point sounding and looking miserable majority of the time, pretty sadcases to be honest!!!!
Thanks for your feedback. I don’t know if I’m a “so call expat” or what whinging is, but I would say that moving here has been on of the best decisions of my life. It’s really easy to sit comfortably in the West with no knowledge of what’s happening on the ground in developing countries, but it’s very important that we all expand our worldview. As I said, India has a huge number of problems and challenges, and I don’t think any Indian would disagree with me. The question becomes how the West is going to understand India and its complexities in order to have a harmonious relationship. I have a degree in South Asian Studies and have been coming to India since 2004, so clearly this is a country and a culture that I hold very dear. I can speak for myself, and possibly for Bronwyn as well, since we both work at NGOs here, and say that India’s development and growth is truly important to us, regardless of the personal challenges we must endure.
This blog is meant to be humorous and if you don’t find it entertaining, you don’t have to read it.
Lol, your broad knowledge about India as a matter of fact is upsetting and winding up the Indians. Goes to show the reason the Indian bloke “brown dude” described by your mate above asked you “Why do you post so many offensive things about India? Also, when are you leaving?”
Having massive in-depth knowledge about India and then disrespecting the locals and their way of living is completely daft and in the same time despicable!
I am sitting in the west comfortably (where I am from), thank you very much! But at least I am not passing snide and sarcastic (blatantly rude) comments about India and their people via online blog! Before gaining loads of knowledge about India learn to Respect Indian and their Culture as you live in their country!!!
Btw- Whinging definition- complain in an annoying or persistent manner.
Thanks, Rachel. You’ve really helped me see how daft my actions are! I will begin Respecting Indian via online blog immediately. I apologize for whinging.
Hilary
Do not get affected by what this two folks-rachel and prithviraj- commented. What you are doing now is good enough. There are many actors/ TV personalities (Locals) who openly criticize Indian systems. I don’t see any reason why these people are having issues with your comments. You are LIVING in India and a resident of that country. Those people who are not even staying in India have no RIGHTS to comment. Indeed i am proud that you still love India. Hope to see more in your BLOG. God Bless-
Note: Would really appreciate if you can cover stories about people living in Southern India- Thanks
Thanks! I think a little informed criticism is a good thing as well. I am trying to cover more of India – I definitely hope to explore the South soon.
Oh I see, if someone resides in a foreign country they get full fundamental RIGHTS to slag the country and their people left right and centre!! Very sensible comment well done!
You sure spend a lot of time on a blog you don’t like…
HILARY. Hi. Your blog is awesome. Do you ever wish there were another word for “blog”? I do. Anyway, you are hilarious (HILARY-OUS! Oh boy.) and your piece on the Hairpin about flying in airplanes touched my soul. Are the Target yoga pants in the workout clothes section?? I think I need them.
Ohhh god, and I saw the mold attack pictures and almost died. But in a good way? Byyyeeee!
Thanks so much! I’m glad you like it. Yes, I feel like blog should have applied to things written before 2005. Anything after that should have less onomatopoeia that rhymes with Pogs. Mold is a big part of my life now, so I guess I’m glad to be able to share it with people? Also no one warns you about the mold before you move here.
These look like crap on the model, but they are pretty great irl. Workout section all the way – so glad I wandered over there at some point.
Love your blog! Found it through a retweet of a travel blogger I follow, http://meganlwood.com/. You’re posts make me laugh so hard! And the serious stuff is very insightful and reads like narrative. Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much! The blogging community, which is a phrase I really never thought I would write, has been super inspiring. I’m glad you take the shits with the giggles
Hilary, Daniel D’Mello put me on to your blog. Email me a way to contact you please.
Your blog is simply brilliant, funny, entertaining & honest.
And Rachel, it doesn’t give you fundamental rights because your here, freedom of speech gives you fundamental rights. I am also living proof that you can love a country, it’s people & it’s culture but still moan about the day to day trivialities (the staring/the shopping/the horn honking/the fire cracker cracking/the drum banging/lack of time keeping/THE FOOD-yuk) It really all does wear you down, but doesn’t mean to say we don’t like living here!
I had a comment on a post of mine the other day – from an Indian guy (the post was about cooking mutton & shopping for meat!) he started going on about Americans taking slaves & dropping bombs :/ & basically how we nasty nasty westerners are ruining the world I thanked him profusely for his unfathomable (broken english) words and hoped he liked the recipe
Hey, this is effing hilarious and so close to home for so many of us! Not sure how we haven’t met yet, given the expat circles here are so small. I’d love to connect. Email me, please? Also, your name in Hindi transliterates to hilAAry. I’d say drop that stick between the L and the R.
Glad you enjoy it! I actually thought long and hard about that extra A and decided to keep it. I prefer Hilaaary to “Hellree” which is what I get called most of the time here… but yes, I know it’s not correct.
@ whatkatyatenext- Geez Louise! What a bunch of plonkers talking out of their ass!!! typical Yankeess Lol…
Makes perfect sense I love living in this country call “India” and like the people however I hate numerous things here and THE FOOD yuk. So therefore I survive in crappy tin food imported from back home. How brilliant speech deserve a round of applause. Think before you write or speak DAFT cow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Hilary, I’m loving your blog! I’ve been here a year and a half, and can totally relate to some of the experiences you’ve documented- especially concerning mold, trying (in vain, for me) to secure a Photon connection, and hospital experiences
I really do think you capture the good with the less-than-awesome… and the diagrams are great!
soo hard huh to be honest in this world!!
Your attitude in these comments has made me realize there will/can NEVER be Peace on Earth. The internet has made it possible for people of completely different parts of OUR world become aware of our differences and SHARE their story. You- ‘Rachel’, are spreading negative energy towards someone who is documenting and publishing her personal experiences within an unfamiliar lifestyle. Anyone who stumbles across her blog is being educated in one way or another. Possibly the word choice such as ‘crappy’ isn’t too wise. It’s hard to be honest and talk/type freely without offending, though you continue to respond and are intentionally putting others down.
I have only just discovered these comments. Way to stir the pot, Hilary.
I personally believe that things are allowed to be funny (i.e. not deadly serious) sometimes, and like such as.
And YOU “Domenica Bello” you are definitely been educated in such a style that you prefer to cherry pick the words I wrote. I wonder which PART of the world you belong! What is effing amusing that “YOU LOT” are supporting and encouraging this blogger to whinge and spread whole lot of negative things she write about India day in day out.
Indeed there will be no peace on earth until and unless people start showing some respect towards others culture,custom and diversity!!
I enjoyed your humor and honesty in the few posts I read, but I think you exhibit flawed judgment along multiple dimensions. Your consistently juvenile responses to critics (not all of them fair or coherent, admittedly) dashes any hopes of a redeeming foundation of wisdom.
Hey Craig – my responses do get juvenile; I absolutely agree. I think I get frustrated with people who feel it’s okay to judge my entirely mental capacity based on a blog I write mostly as a joke… I’m sorry I ruined your high hopes for me
Well I’m Indian.Dont let these killjoys like Rachel get to you Hilary.I enjoy your funny posts and so do several friends of mine.Who needs a ‘politically correct suck up to blog ?? Also you’re cute , so a killer combo !
Thanks! Best comment ever!
Also what’s with the protected posts .. you a spy or something lol
And what are you a “keralan chav” who owns a rundown shack on beach to target loose desperate attention seeking yankee like hilary for money and better life/passport. Not a real Indian are you! What a stinking arse licker, sick!! LOL
I just discovered your blog and love it! You are hilarious! Too bad I read all of it in one night… I can definitely see how some of your stuff could be viewed as offensive by sensitive uber-patriotic people (cough* Rachel*cough*Prithviraj*cough). Don’t let that stop you though!
*Yawn*.
BBD-Lite, you know this girl is not going to sleep with you right? Get over yourself, you don’t gain brownie points for ass kissing online
Well…I’m not into girls and BESIDES as if the only reason you would compliment a girl is so you can sleep with her? WTF?!? I was just expressing MY opinion that Hilary has a very funny way of putting things, which can be offensive to people who only want to hear good things about India…and I’m certainly not gaining anything by complimenting Hilary so how is it ass-kissing?…
I love your blog…and especially your videos! What inspired you to move to India? Do you see yourself staying in India long-term, and where else would you want to live/work outside the U.S.?
Thanks! Moving to India was a long time coming for me – I kind of fell in love when I visited for the first time in 2004 and ended up “studying” here in 2008, learning Hindi, and majoring in South Asian Studies in college. I think I will need a substantial break from India soon, but could see myself moving long-term under the right circumstances. I am open to living many other places – especially after this experience!
Do you have a Facebook or Twitter?
Yup – my Twitter is linked on the homepage on the right side.
Funny blog, no doubt. But it got me thinking – you’ve never spotted anything good over here to write about? All negative things? C’mon, you can’t be so narrow-sighted and obtuse. Look around hard, it’s not difficult, y’know! Don’t be a typical ‘firang’ in India – “Oh I love India but India is so dirrrrty” types. It is. And everyone knows this. You ain’t saying anything new. Live with it! Or look beyond it. And just a suggestion – Please, please balance your blog. You would have a lot more people following and liking it. Thanks.
Hi, thanks for reading! I agree with you, and I know I need to add more positive content. I tried with my “Ode to Bombay.” I also had a lot of positive posts I hide to hide for certain reasons, and I’ll work on that. I’m not sure I’m not saying anything new to a Western audience though. As someone who visited India before I moved here, I was actually shocked and unprepared for all of the challenges that being a legal foreign resident, alone and with no relocation specialist, etc., brought with it – and I’m not sure a lot of people who aren’t in this situation understand that. I obviously do live with these things, and I should do a better job of sharing the positives too. Thanks! Check back in a few weeks and I should have some more for you.
Hi there! So I found your blog via your excellent Hairpin article and just wanted to say that I haven’t had much time to read your posts, but what I have read is getting me excited for my own trip to India! I’m studying abroad through SIT (School for International Training) in Jaipur for a program on sustainable development and social change (heady stuff, right?). Anyway, I’m thinking about traveling to Mumbai for a few days after my semester ends (as well as Goa, Ajanta & Ellora Caves and maybe a part of Kerala) and was wondering if you had any advice…like in general? Like say maybe I’m freaking out a little because I still have to sort of learn some Hindi and do a bunch of reading and it’s finally dawning on me that I’m going to be in India for 3+ months. Obviously, I don’t expect you to write me back a novel or anything, but anything encouragement-wise would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks again for your awesome blog
P.S. I’m actually applying for a summer internship with AIF in their NYC offices…any further advice?
Hey – I only have your old work address. Can you drop me a line in my gmail? Thanks. Sanne
I Love your blog Hilary!!! & your photography Collections. I just found it via Twitter hilaryinmumbai @hilaryinmumbai [ I live in India now. This is my life. Mumbai, India · http://www.hilaryinmumbai.com ]
Nice to hear you Love India.. I sent following request in Twitter.
XX
Niraj kaushik
Delhi, India
Hi hilary
I love your work, its always a moment of Pride to see Ex Pats enjoy India
All the Best, and I hope you find the love of an Indian man here, that will truly complete your Indian experience
‘
Jay
Hi Hilary…ur blog is pretty good…yea it’s sad tha ur havin a bit too mny problems here…I just wanna tell u.. If Bombay has problems it has solutions to all of em! And the way ur living with the mosquito kitchen n all.. Everyone docent live that way here.. U just need to find better n less problematic ways here.. It’s obvious ur gonna take time to adapt..anyone does somewhere else…and another thing..I live here too..u need any help! U can always contact me.. I’d be happy to help u!
Hi Hilary…ur blog is pretty good…yea it’s sad tha ur havin a bit too mny problems here…I just wanna tell u.. If Bombay has problems it has solutions to all of em! And the way ur living with the mosquito kitchen n all.. Everyone docent live that way here.. U just need to find better n less problematic ways here.. It’s obvious ur gonna take time to adapt..anyone does somewhere else…and another thing..I live here too..u need any help! U can always contact me.. I’d be happy to help u!
Hi, thanks for reading! I’m actually not having very many problems, and I’ve been here almost two years. My kitchen is very clean, though sometimes there are mosquitos. I was just thinking of something funny for Twitter. Thanks for the offer though!
I’m followin u on twitter u can follow me back rohitrajani13.. It’ll be interesting to know more about what u think about our city!
Thanks for the laughs tonight…needed them! How has your blog evaded me for so long? Added it to my roll!
Hi HIM!
Just discovered this spicy comment chain, yikes! But it’s great reading. Of COURSE your blog and most of the best blogs aren’t politically correct and may be full of whinging. I think we all like to complain at times, but I don’t think any of us would stay in India if we truly hated it. Being able to laugh about our experiences enriches them… even the ones that weren’t fun in the first place.
Just dropping a note to say that Maeve and I miss you! And so does the khane khaas bhindi fry. <3