'The people are open and friendly'

Expat zone

Bangaloreans may crib about their home town. But it has taken only a year for Beth Chapman and Jeff Samstad, who hails from Boston, to proclaim that Bangalore is their chosen home.

It’s Jeff’s work that brought the couple to the City. Metrolife caught up with the couple who say they’ve totally settled down in the City and love its food and people.

Ask Beth and Jeff where they shop and pat comes the reply. Ask them about the food, they’re quick to roll out a long list of, quite surprisingly, Indian dishes they like but dare not try to cook. And ask them what they’d like to change about the City, they say they love it – including the chaos.

Beth and Jeff live in Whitefield. Jeff works for APC/Schneider Electric on Lavelle Road and Beth is the president of the Overseas Women’s Club. They have two children – six-year-old Delilah Chapman Samstad and three-year-old Millie Chapman Samstad.

“We found that we could not offer them the kind of child-centric environment we wanted to amidst all the hustle and bustle, so we moved to Whitefield. It is strange for me because I have always lived in a much more urban environment,” explains Beth who spends most of her time in the City. 

Just like anyone who relocates to a new city, Beth and Jeff have had their share of problems before settling down. But they had so many people come forward to help them that they settled down quicker than they actually thought they would.

The couple find Indians friendly and open. They say the City has an assortment of people from across the world.

“I enjoy the company of a large circle of friends from all over the world. It’s a very enriching experience – and there is so much to learn. Without exception, the Indians I have met have been marvellous, delightful people who are patient with all my questions and are eager to explain their heritage and lifestyle to me,” observes Beth. 

Talking about what they like best about the City, Jeff says the weather is great and so are the hotels. “I hate the traffic, it makes my day seem long and endless,” he says.

It’s the contrast of old buildings, sitting cheek-to-jowl with modern glass office towers that has impressed Beth. “The rate of growth is astounding and I marvel at how much has changed in the short time we have been here. But I wish there was a modern infrastructure to handle waste in a more sanitary manner. I think it would make Bangalore a better place,” she says.

Beth and Jeff hang out at the Taj West End and have specific tastes when it comes to dining out and shopping. The Mantri Mall and Commercial Street are the places where they shop. Jeff gets his suits done at P N Rao on M G Road and Beth works with designer Namratha G for some of her outfits and appearances. 

Beth swears by Indian food. “The spicier the better,” she says but Jeff finds the spice somewhat tough to tackle. “I love Indian food. I prefer the simpler preparations. I am especially fond of dal, rasam and saffron burfi. Jeff loves the meat at the Tandoor and fresh, hot naan,” says Beth who confesses that she doesn’t really try and cook Indian food. “There’s too much chopping, grinding and seed roasting,” she avers.

What is one change they’d like to see in the City? Beth says, “It is a city of Indians, for Indians and I am just a guest. The City is wonderful, vibrant, and sometimes the exact opposite, but that is what makes it so special.”

Jeff says he’s a big proponent of mass transit. “I can’t wait for the Metro to roll out. I think it will make a big difference to so many Bangaloreans and I won’t mind seeing fewer cars on the roads,” he signs off.