3 things I've learned in India so far:
1) It's not necessary to wear shoes while working at the supermarket.
On our first day here, after a long day of traveling and sleeping and moving into our apartment, we ventured out to buy some provisions for our new place. First we went to Om Supermarket, which turned out to be more of a roadside stand. Customers tell the people behind the counter what they want, but not everything is in view, so I haven't quite figured that out yet. And milk comes in a bag! Then we went to a "proper" supermarket, with a roof and aisles. While we were standing in line waiting to check out, I noticed that the cashier was wearing khaki pants, an orange polo shirt, socks, and NO SHOES.
2) Traffic is scary (don't read this one Mom)
We took a 3 hour car ride from the airport in Mumbai to our hotel in Pune. It was the middle of the night, so traffic was pretty light by local standards. But I got my first taste of the traffic laws of the land, or I should probably say the lack of them. Our drive went through every red light we got to, slowing down a tiny bit and honking his horn, but then just proceeding right on through. But that was nothing compared with my experience later that night on an auto rickshaw. I'll post a picture later of one, but it's like a motorized tricycle with a bench in the back for passengers. It weaves in an out of traffic very fast, there are no doors, and it is SCARY. But my most terrifying experience with cars was trying to cross one of the busy streets. We had waved down a rickshaw, but the driver stopped on the other side of the street. Aaron and Cait crossed with no problem, but I was still standing on the other side of the street, paralyzed. There was no break in cars and scooters at all. Finally, my sweet husband crossed back over and helped me. They said the trick is to walk slowly across at a steady pace, not to dart out and then stop. If the cars see you in advance as an obstacle, they'll just go around you. I was much better yesterday, but my heart still stops a little each time I have to cross.
3) Tea (chai) is probably 65% milk
On day 1, my most sleep-deprived day, I had two cups of chai by 2pm. It's so freaking delicious! It's very milky and sweet. They don't call it chai here, just tea. Our landlady gave us some instant packets. Normally I'm kind of a food snob, and would turn my nose up at something like that, but these are SO GOOD. We went through them all in one day, and have been looking at all the markets for more. It's kind of like an instant hot cocoa packet, with the milk and sugar already mixed in. I'm going to have my landlady teach me how to make it the proper way though. She offered to give me some cooking lessons, since my roommates are going to be doing a lot more yoga than me and I'll have some free time. I'm supposed to think of some dishes I'd like to learn to make. Any suggestions? -Sarah
1) It's not necessary to wear shoes while working at the supermarket.
On our first day here, after a long day of traveling and sleeping and moving into our apartment, we ventured out to buy some provisions for our new place. First we went to Om Supermarket, which turned out to be more of a roadside stand. Customers tell the people behind the counter what they want, but not everything is in view, so I haven't quite figured that out yet. And milk comes in a bag! Then we went to a "proper" supermarket, with a roof and aisles. While we were standing in line waiting to check out, I noticed that the cashier was wearing khaki pants, an orange polo shirt, socks, and NO SHOES.
2) Traffic is scary (don't read this one Mom)
We took a 3 hour car ride from the airport in Mumbai to our hotel in Pune. It was the middle of the night, so traffic was pretty light by local standards. But I got my first taste of the traffic laws of the land, or I should probably say the lack of them. Our drive went through every red light we got to, slowing down a tiny bit and honking his horn, but then just proceeding right on through. But that was nothing compared with my experience later that night on an auto rickshaw. I'll post a picture later of one, but it's like a motorized tricycle with a bench in the back for passengers. It weaves in an out of traffic very fast, there are no doors, and it is SCARY. But my most terrifying experience with cars was trying to cross one of the busy streets. We had waved down a rickshaw, but the driver stopped on the other side of the street. Aaron and Cait crossed with no problem, but I was still standing on the other side of the street, paralyzed. There was no break in cars and scooters at all. Finally, my sweet husband crossed back over and helped me. They said the trick is to walk slowly across at a steady pace, not to dart out and then stop. If the cars see you in advance as an obstacle, they'll just go around you. I was much better yesterday, but my heart still stops a little each time I have to cross.
3) Tea (chai) is probably 65% milk
On day 1, my most sleep-deprived day, I had two cups of chai by 2pm. It's so freaking delicious! It's very milky and sweet. They don't call it chai here, just tea. Our landlady gave us some instant packets. Normally I'm kind of a food snob, and would turn my nose up at something like that, but these are SO GOOD. We went through them all in one day, and have been looking at all the markets for more. It's kind of like an instant hot cocoa packet, with the milk and sugar already mixed in. I'm going to have my landlady teach me how to make it the proper way though. She offered to give me some cooking lessons, since my roommates are going to be doing a lot more yoga than me and I'll have some free time. I'm supposed to think of some dishes I'd like to learn to make. Any suggestions? -Sarah
