Doesn't Anyone Else Think its Hot???

Day 6: I am feeling MUCH better today. Finally had something to eat this morning and even felt in the mood for a little back home so went to Pizza Hut this afternoon. Now, its not quite what I'm used to but close.  Crust is the same, sauce is more spicy and less Italian-ish, and of course no beef- but I did see pepperoni which is a bit rare (For those who don't know- India is 80% Hindu and Hindus don't eat any beef- cows are sacred. And most wouldn't eat pork because its considered a very dirty animal that only the poorest people would eat). 

We shopped today for Roy's sister's wedding ring.  Their wedding tradition is different here that either the girl or guy's family would supply the rings. Gold jewelry, as previously mentioned, is super important to people here when they are getting married so they would have chains, bangles, earrings, and rings custom made from 23K gold for the occasion.  We picked out something really nice for her and it should be ready before we leave.  Roy also got a little something for you-know-who....I'm pretty excited about it.

The whole time I have been here, his family has thought that my wrists are too bare-meaning a married woman should always have certain bangles on her wrists So, they got me some last night. In Bengali (Where Roy's family is from- the state of West Bengal/Calcutta area) culture, they wear a bangle made of shell and a red hard plastic one. Apparently if it ever breaks you have to bury it under some tree...hmmm, not sure about this but I guess we'll cross that bridge if we come to it.

So, anyway back to the theme of this post- ya, its hot here.  His family said its cold because they live on the 3rd floor (which is actually the 4th floor in our terms) but to me its always hot.  Its true late night through early morning- there is a cool breeze and its really comfortable. Of course during this time his family is freezing with giant heavy blankets and sweaters but here is me, still sleeping with the fan on full and no blanket.  During the day, usually twice- once around 10 and again around 5, the power goes out.  When I first experienced this the first time I was here, I was shocked. We were shopping in a store and it all went dark. And of course, I panic but nobody else flinches but just keeps doing what they are doing. Its a very odd reaction, or lack there of, I should say.  So anyway, when this happens, especially at night, its usually pretty still and hot out and I feel I may melt into a puddle.  Everyone says it is warm, but they just don't seem to mind it the way I do.  I'm trying to adapt, but those of you fellow Wisconsonites can relate I'm sure.

On the way back from shopping today, we dropped my 2 sari's off at the local tailor to have the blouses stitched. She'll have them done by the 4th which will be in good time for the festival activities coming up.  Can't write much about that now because I'm truly not sure what will all go on, but I'm told its a big deal (not Christmas big deal, but pretty close- without the presents, snow, santa, or tree).
While walking back we passed a couple of young girls playing with a dog like Toby. I instinctively called out- hey Toby and they both smiled.  As we walked by, I looked back and they were waving. I think they may have thought I was Madonna which never gets old here.  I looked back a second time and they were still waving.  I also snapped this picture on the way home:

For those with a good memory, yes this is the sacred animal to Hindu's yet he appears to be starving eating garbage on the roadside.  And I saw one earlier walking in traffic and get bumped by a passing car (although I have read and been told that hurting or killing a cow can mean having your car started on fire by passers by).  This makes me feel bad.  I'm going to start carrying snacks to feed to them. Got a few to feed this dog that has been lingering by.  There are tons of street dogs everywhere. Most are a little scary and wild looking but this one seems nice. You wouldn't dare touch him but we do feed him so when I saw him today I fed him some crackers.  Here are some other street dogs I saw on the way home:

Here are some other interesting pics from today:

 Cute school kids

 They transport EVERYTHING by bike here.

 Overstuffed truck- no safety standards here.....

 Guys carrying toys on top their heads. Lots of people carry things like this.

The auto rickshaw driver who took us to town (our Brother-in-law to be has the motorcycle today). Its fun sorta- kinda like riding in a clown car.  I saw one of these packed with about 10 school kids today.

The Indian Diet Plan

Who says you can't go on vacation and lose weight???   We went out shopping yesterday- I found the most beautiful sari for his sister's wedding. We also picked up some Hindi Cartoons for baby and a couple of other gifts.   By the time we got back, I was not feeling well at all. I was super hot and my belly was hurting really bad.  I didn't eat and didn't feel like I could even hardly drink but I tried to make sure I stayed hydrated.   Went to bed early without eating and slept until late morning.  Baby did get up around 4 and was awake awhile but this is when her sister and his fiance come home, so they were more than happy to entertain her until we woke up around 9 or 9:30.

Figuring it was a traveler's sickness from different water or food, I thought it was best to get an antibiotic.  Of course I didn't bring any antibiotics along, but thats an easy fix.  Any of these roadside pharmacies would give you basically any meds you want, so of course I went for the good stuff- Azithromycin- the king of all antibiotics.   I'm feeling a bit better this morning after a shower and eating a few crackers and my favorite sugar free fruit punch kool aid from home. 

They want me to eat some vegetable curry- not sure what vegetable it is- looks like a cucumber but I am told it is not (and most of you know how much I like veges) so making spicy curry with that seems quite unappealing, especially at this point.  I'll try and avoid it, but we'll see.

Not sure if we will be doing anything today. I'm still feeling pretty tired and not super well, so we may just sit around today. Maybe when the sun goes down we will go out to the gold shop and look at some rings for his sister's wedding.  People here, no matter how poor would spend what they had on gold jewelry for weddings and other occasions.  They were 23K gold, which makes the stuff we normally wear look pretty cheap. His mom gave me a gold ring she had her whole life when I first arrived- apparently this is a tradition for the first daughter in law.  Its pretty nice, so I am honored to have it.  Baby also received a gold ring and chain and several pieces of solid silver- really cute and nice.

Thats it for today. Hopefully I'll be feeling better soon and can post some more fun stuff.

Need I say more....

A day in the Life

Day 2: Well....Jet lag has successfully set in.  Slept a lot today, as did baby (6 hrs in the afternoon). Neither one of us could manage to keep our eyes open.  There wasn't much going on so I thought it was just best to go with it and try and get it out of my system.  Roy was also pretty tired, he usually doesn't get jet lag but he did this time, so we are all pretty useless today.

Earlier this morning we got up and I thought it would be fun to take baby for a walk.  So Roy, I and Shivali in her stroller hit the road.  The road outside their house isn't overly busy but the cars and bikes still whip by a pace that would scare most people.  We turned off on a side street which was much better- Here is a pic.

We walked down this street to the main busy road where Roy wanted to cross to go to the 'pharmacy' to get baby some diaper rash cream.  I decided to stay on this side and people watch.

I saw some of the street cleaners cleaning up outside this shop. They use these stick kinda brooms that you have to bend over the whole time to use. They don't seem that much fun to me but everyone uses them and don't seem to mind.   Lots of people stared at us because apparently a baby stroller is quite unique here, and even more unique is an Indian guy pushing it with a white girl next to him. People are visibly confused when they see us.  Like this lady- who I was interested in because she was in a full decorated sari but carrying a basket on her head.  I wanted to take her picture, but thought it would be rude but as she passed every time I turned around to take it she was turning around to watch us, but I managed to get this without looking too rude.

We had a quick snack at this coffee place which makes these chicken sandwiches I like from the last time I was here and was off to home again. It was getting hot already, of course people here don't think so and wear jackets and winter hats when its less than 70 degrees. And I look like I'm going to melt constantly.....not right.

Got home and was super tired so thats when all the napping started.  I took a few pics of the neighbor guy (where the cute school girl from yesterday lives- I guess its her grandpa) He basically does 2 things that I see- In the morning he washes his clothes in the back of the house (yup, in his undies), and at night he drinks in the front yard by himself. 

Not much else going on- its almost bedtime here.  They want us to eat dinner now but its almost 9pm and we just had a giant plate of rice and spicy potato at around 4 so I don't feel like eating again. I think they think this is strange but I just can't do it.  His mom's cooking is awesome though. We eat very traditionally- sitting on the floor with a small plate. They give me a fork, but they always eat with their hands.  Its hard for me, but I sometimes try and join in.

Tomorrow we'll shop for clothes. One of Roy's school friends apparently is getting engaged and there will be a party next week so I want to buy a new sari and you need time to have the blouse and underskirt stitched (it will cost less than $10 made to fit from scratch).  These sari shops are amazing- they have floor to ceiling sari cloths (for those that don't know exactly what this is- its about 3 yards of fabric that the women here will wrap around themselves in a decorative way, and wear along with a short blouse (I call it a tummy top because its short like those 80's shirts I hated). The fabric is hand made and hand beaded most of the time- silk or you can get simple cotton ones but I am especially drawn to the bright colored blinged out ones.  Its an expedition to go to these places, you sit at a counter (like when you pick out an engagement ring in a fancy jewelry store) and the guy shows you what he thinks you like or you try and guide him by color or type if you know. Its fun for me, but Roy going into a system overload when we are there. 

Thats it for today, I just saw I have the option to upload a video, so you guys just have to get an idea of the traffic here so I'll shoot a video tomorrow.   

Good Morning India

Morning 1.....baby did surprisingly well last night considering the drastic change in environment and time zone change she has experienced in the last day.  She went to bed around 10 and only got up 3 times- I expected her to be up all night crying and confused but she has been really adaptable.

Roy went out this morning for medicine- he picked up a cold somewhere.  So, how medicine is typically purchased here is you go to roadside shop and tell the guy what your symptoms are and he gives you some meds. You also tell the 'pharmacist' how many you want- you can literally purchase 1 pill or as many as you want. They are cheap- 10 rupees for 5 or 6 which is like 20 cents.

While he was gone and baby was sleeping I had some free time to stand outside on the balcony and people watch.  I saw a guy coming to deliver milk to the neighbor across the street in typical Indian fashion- he came on a bike with metal containers of milk hanging off the handle bars. This would be fresh milk- warm, and he went to the neighbor and the cutest little school girl came out with a bowl and he poured it in and left.  Families like this would have contracts with these milkmen to pay so much per month for this daily service. Not sure how much it would cost, but I will see if I can find out.

Right after the milkman left, a pretty old guy on a bike came selling newspapers on the street. He had big bags full of paper tied to the side of the bike. He calls out- paper! as he rides down the street.  He is wearing all white- including the traditional Indian man bottoms of a dhoti which in my terms is a wrap skirt- short to the knee, but some men wear them long to the floor.  On his way out of the street he stopped to dig through the neighbors garbage where he apparently found some old floor tiles worthy of taking along.

Then the cute school girl and her sister left the neighbor house for school.  They walked to the end of the street and a small van came and got them- the kind of van you would call 911 if you saw in your neighborhood....teal blue and beat up but you could see was filled with all school girls in the cutest uniforms you have ever seen- I'll try and get a picture later.
Kids here seem to be especially fascinated by white people.  I have yet to see another white person while I have been here.  They stare at me more than adults (and the adults stare an uncomfortable amount of time) but kids are a little more brave to wave or point or even smile like they have just seen something forbidden.  Last time I was here, I had a little girl chase me to take my picture- who knows where that picture ended up, I sure hope its not in their house framed or something.

People get up really early here- lots work in town so they have a long commute in.  Others don't seem to have a specific job but are just standing around or doing some odd job like selling flowers or veges on the roadside.  They take enormous pride in these jobs. The life is just so simple it truly makes you think about how complicated we live back home.

We are going grocery shopping in a bit to buy some American food for dinner. Mashed potatoes, gravy and Cajun chicken on the grill.  I sure hope I can find some frozen chicken, but all signs point to a chicken dying later today (I won't stick around for the show).  Also we don't actually have a grill here, but apparently Roy thinks he can construct one (in typical Indian style) using things you can purchase from a local store or have laying around the house.  Should be interesting.  Family seems excited to try the food- although the may just be humoring me....but I gotta say the chocolate cake his sister and I made last night seemed to be a big hit. That kind of dessert is not typical and for most (Roy's school friends stopped over last night) it was their first experience. It was a challenge figuring out how to cook it in their microwave/convection oven which works in Celsius but overall I thought it tasted pretty good.

Time for a quick shower and then off to shop!

We made it!

Well, 20 hrs in the air and 1 plan change in an Arab nation later, we are here!
Plane ride went surprisingly well considering I wasn't sure how the baby would react, but she slept, played and entertained several rows of passengers with her smiling and laughing.
Flight from Chicago was pretty uneventful. Smooth flying, airline (Etihad) was pretty good. We were pretty packed in there, but thats almost any airline these days.

Abu Dhabi was interesting.  I didn't know quite what to expect, I thought a lot of Sheik looking men and all in black looking woman and for the most part I was right. Being a predominant Muslim region, that was to be expected.  We had some extra time between flights, so I did what I always do and shopped. Picked up a couple of souvenirs and people watched and of course we ate. And what does one eat in Abu Dhabi??? McDonalds, of course..LOL.  59 dirhams which they let us pay in dollars (like 15$) but then gave us dirhams in change.  Nice- so I spent it on souvenirs.  Most interesting thing I saw.....probably the one rather large Sheik guy who didn't appear to have on anything under his long white gown and he walked by where we were sitting, plopped down in a recliner like chair they have in the airport lounge area, kicked off his shoes and went to sleep. 

So another 3 hrs from there and we arrive in Bangalore, be it around 4am and yet the airport is packed.  Got our massive amount of luggage and headed to the in laws house.  I was greeted extremely warmly and they are of course in love with the baby already.

So feeling a little bit tired and jet lagged and what is the best cure for that???   How about a motorcycle ride on India's famous roads.  Famous for what one travel book I have calls: the worst drivers with the best reflexes.  Picture this: thousands of motorcycles most carrying large amounts of passengers (sometimes a family of 5) and some cars and big trucks - oh and don't forget the auto rickshaws (like a motorcycle with a mini car around it with no windows) all competing for road space in a place where there doesn't appear to be a speed limit and if there is nobody cares. Also there are tons of places that seem like they are under road construction yet there are no workers or equipment which just makes me think they are dug up for no reason. Add in speed bumps every 1/4 mile and oh don't forget about the thousands of people trying to cross the road, walk somewhere or just stand and wait for something to happen.  Its mass chaos that you can only imagine and somehow it works. There are few accidents and people somehow know what to do even though they pass on all sides continuously, honk not to say hi or you messed up in driving but to alert other drivers of their presence.  You rarely see accidents and in Roy's words when there is one each driver blames the other, yells some obscenities, and then they leave.

So overall so far so good.  I'll post some pics soon. My brainy husband left the SD card at home after trying to load the pictures fast to the hard drive so we have to pick up a new one.

Ready!

TP...check.  Bottled Water.....check.   Baby.....check.....oops, well sorta.  All the essentials are packed for our India adventure just 2 short weeks away!

Taking a 3 month old to India...am I nuts? probably.  The nutty part hasn't even begun yet- How about meeting my In-laws who a few short months ago didn't know I existed?  How about trying not to commit any cultural 'crimes' in place where its not ok for a women to wear shorts but it is ok to eat virtually anything with your hands? How about trying not to feel claustrophobic in a place where people per square mile is more than 10 times what I am accustomed to?

This is going to be good....Plane takes off 9/23.......see ya then