Just a quick post about side business-
I have been coaching Nandan about craigslist and there are two bites, both substantial.
One is a girl from Boston coming to Benares to do research for her dissertation. She wants to stay in the room for a month at Rs 3000 rupees. The going rate is Rs 6000 and that is not a lie; Nandan is letting this girl as well as I go for Indian rather than foreigner rate. As foreigners, we do not cause the problems that an Indian tenant would, like use of water, presence of family, and the rest, but still, it is a good deal for us.
I hope that after I leave Nandan ups the price and makes the whole place first class for students. If the potential for continuous influx is there then he will do this; I as well as the Boston girl are test cases.
The next bite is a tour group of five Italians coming to North India. I have been helping Nandan talk to them by email. The group leader speaks English and has said that he wants Nandan as a guide. Nandan would be taking a small risk venturing money for a car – quite possibly I will venture about $200 for him – but the payoff would be sufficient and the Italians would be getting the lowest possible price as Nandan is asking for a fair rate. Typically, travel agencies take nearly half of the loot and Nandan I think would be getting about ten percent, which is good for his conscience and a safe proposition for him.
Both of these opportunities come to head in about two weeks. They have been on my mind for weeks now; I have a good feeling about both.