The other night I caught a marathon of House Hunters International. HHI follows people to foreign lands, shows them three suitable dwellings, one of which is chosen, and then fast forwards a few months to see how they they are doing.
HHI Mumbai was particularly interesting. It featured a woman from Australia, Sharrel, who vacationed in India, met a short DJ, had a world-wind romance, married the guy, and was moving to Mumbai. Who hasn’t fallen for a DJ while on vacation? Anyway, we followed the couple around the city. DJ Mc-Shortstuff loved the pink and purple interior paint of house number one. Sharrel preferred white, and asked incredulously, “You really like this?” House (or rather, apartment) number two had only one bedroom, but did have an incredible balcony. It looked like something from an Indiana Jones movie, covered in vines, with crumbling buildings nearby. DJ suggested turning the dining room into his studio, and we cut away to see him spinning records on a turn-table. ::: swoon! ::: House number three seemed like the winner with extra bedrooms for guests or DJ’s dream studio. While the couple mulled their decision, they visited Mumai Beach with ten thousand other people cooling off and watching the sun set.
Sharrel and Dj Puff-n-Stuff stopped for a street drink, DJ’s favorite, mixed with real banana, coconut and grit (ok, I made that recipe up). DJ slurped it down while Sharrel took a sip and called it “interesting”. Finally the moment of decision arrived. Sharrel pointed out the advantages of house number 3. DJ called out, “Number Two!” The sun set as the couple stood five feet apart from each other. Moving forward, we saw they really did enjoy that big balcony, and rounded up some rattan chairs to sit on. DJ Dancing-Machine did not turn the dining room into his studio, and lamented that he must visit his friend’s house to practice. Don’t get rusty spinning that vinyl!
No way could that couple still be together, I thought. She moved back home where they have dishwashers, white walls, and toilets that are separate from the shower. She put that little summer fling behind her. Nope! She hasn’t! She has her own blog, Diary of a White Indian Housewife, writes for a living, and is still happily married!
The next episode, HHI Singapore, featured two brothers, Karl and Kris Chong. Karl gave up his day job as a New York banker to move to Singapore and start a shopping website. My kind of guy! His younger brother, Kris, put his college education on hold to help a brother out and party with the ladies. Kris wanted either the downtown apartment (close to the action), or the penthouse suite overlooking the harbor. Karl wanted an inexpensive dump so he could put more money towards their business. They considered their decision in the Singapore Flyer, a giant ferris wheel.
Tick-tock, tick-tock. Karl controlled the purse strings, and I for one was not surprised he picked the dump. Fast forward to see Kris running out to meet with clients, and Karl in his craptacular office from morning to night.
How did they do with their shopping website?
I’d say they did okay. How much do you want to bet they both have penthouse suites now?
• Do you watch House Hunters International?
• Do you ever wonder what happens next in the lives of these hunters?
• Would you ever appear on a reality show?
Comment By: Tammy
June 22nd, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Mumbai beach is CRAZY!
It must be love because I would run away – fast!
I love HHI, but can’t watch it since we scaled back on our satellite subscription.
Thanks for the inside scoop.
To answer your ??’s Yes to all!
Comment By: Jean
June 23rd, 2011 at 7:26 am
Tammy, I would run too! Or convince my DJ lover to move to America!
Comment By: Sherri @ The Kitchen Prescription
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:17 am
Haha Jean this was very interesting to read. Funny. The first couple are a cute couple. She must really love him. I could never live there with all those thousands of people. No dishwasher, and proper bathing facilities. Oh wait, I don’t even have a dishwasher now…so maybe I could.
I get all bent out of shape while at the beach and someone plays paddle ball or frisbee in front of where I set up shop. That beach is KAH-RaZy! Pass.
I’ve never watched the show, but yes I would wonder what happened to the people after the show. I can’t seem to steer clear of the Food Network and Travel Channel these days.
Comment By: Jean
June 23rd, 2011 at 7:28 am
Hi Sherri – I think the first couple are cuties too. You’d have a lot more to worry about than frisbee flinging at that beach! Hahahaha! What are you watching on the Travel Channel? Fill me in. I record Chopped all the time. Oh, and the Next Food Network Star is great as always! 😀
Comment By: Angelia Sims
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:40 am
I love those shows! Although I favor the ones in the states a little more… still….. seeing the places and amazing houses. I could watch HGTV all day!
What a cool marathon and I can’t believe that beach – blech!
Too funny on the Groupon – Wow!
Comment By: Jean
June 23rd, 2011 at 7:31 am
I could watch HGTV all day too, Angelia! Have you caught HGTV’d?
The Chong bros. must have worked VERY hard!
Comment By: Beth
June 25th, 2011 at 10:29 am
Holy crapanoly! I’ve never seen the show, but I’m definitely going to look for it now.
India? The idea of vacationing in India baffles me, but moving there? Wow. And from here on out, I’ll think of the Chong boys every time I click to get a half-price pizza or a peppermint pedicure.
I love reading your blog. You always make it a fun and funny romp.
Comment By: Jean
June 25th, 2011 at 10:47 am
It’s on HGTV, Beth. They have a version that’s in the states, and now a new Vacation Home series.
I think Sharrel went to India to help, not really to relax. Funny she met the love of her life there!
Those Chong boys are no slackers! They actually started a company called Be-economic, but Groupon bought it from them for that hefty multi-million dollar price tag.
So good to see you. Thank you for visiting, commenting, and complimenting. Love you!
Comment By: The Girl from the Ghetto
June 25th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
House Hunters International is a guilty pleasure of mine, when I’m stuck in bed with insomnia. How do these people have enough money to buy these homes? I swear, I wonder if it is all a fake reality show at times, lol!
Comment By: Jean
June 25th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
No reason to feel guilty, GFTG. Hehehe. Now that you mention it, where do the dollars come from?
Comment By: stacey@Havoc&Mayhem
June 26th, 2011 at 6:15 am
I watch House Hunters every night, mostly to mock buyers with dining room tables that won’t fit anywhere (Maybe buy a new one???) and people who hate & are hung up on the portable the decor, like the seller isn’t going to take their curtains & bedspread with them. Then there was the couple that ended up buy the house with the walls painted, to my mind decent colors & then painted the whole house ‘sell you house white’, when usually people buy houses where everything is white & immediately put color on the walls.
I like the International show because I love seeing what is ‘normal’ in homes in other countries.
Comment By: Jean
June 27th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
It’s funny Stacey! The small kitchens that are considered normal, the sinks in the bedrooms. It’s all so different!
Comment By: Angie
June 27th, 2011 at 10:27 am
LOVE HHI! But the picture of that beach completely makes me cringe! Kind of gives me a little bit of a panic attack, actually. So cool that you tracked down the stories of these people … very clever 🙂
I’ve decided I want to move to an all-inclusive luxury resort somewhere in the Caribbean …I think they should feature me, don’t you? 😉
Comment By: Jean
June 27th, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Thanks Angie! I love to learn the story behind the story.
Yes, HHI SHOULD feature you moving to the Caribbean!
Comment By: Mama Mary
June 27th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
I have never even heard of this show. But I love the DJ story! I married a short DJ too. : )
Comment By: Jean
June 27th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
I had a fling with a DJ. There’s something irresistible there.
Comment By: LyndaGrace
June 29th, 2011 at 7:39 am
What is the one thing that every, simply every, buyer says at least once on every one of those shows?
“I love the natural lighting in this room…it’s so bright”
Comment By: Jean
June 29th, 2011 at 7:49 am
Ha! I can tell you are an HHI junkie! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, LyndaGrace.
Comment By: Traci
June 29th, 2011 at 7:26 pm
I thought I commented on this one but I guess not. I have to say I was like “Eh….” when it comes to the regular HH. But HHI is what my fantasies are made of. So I can definitely relate. Although I do like the episodes where they go to south America my favorites are the ones where they go to Europe, Asia, the middle East, and far off islands.
My favorite episode was when a couple was looking for a traditional riad in Morocco. They ended up building a to die for home. I wanted so bad for them to spend more time touring their new home. Sometimes I wish they would spend more time touring the renovations.
I’m sad I didn’t see your post earlier that you would be at SW I was there in different animal areas answering questions and narrating.
Comment By: Jean
June 29th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
I missed the Morocco episode. Sounds amazing! I wonder if Hulu has HHI episodes?
We had fun at Sea World. Would have been great meeting you.
Comment By: Guest
December 8th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
So funny; a Google search brought me here — I remember watching that episode with the Australian woman and the DJ, rolling my eyes, and thinking “Yeah, right. I give it 3 months before they’ve broken up”. And then I hummed “Summer Lovin'” from Grease for the next several hours.
Good for them that it’s for real!
(though I guarantee several of those couples are no longer together!)
Comment By: Jean
December 8th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
I agree! Some of those couples are mismatched! LOL! Thanks for stopping by, guest.