This post is in honor of having spent two months (a little long actually) in India. While I have greatly enjoyed my time here, so far, there are some things that I miss about the US. Here is my list of five things that I miss (in no particular order):
- Breakfast cereal – Wouldn’t have thought that I’d tire of Indian food after a month. I definitely feel the need to try to satisfy some cravings for Western food items from time to time. In general, I still eat Indian food and I enjoy trying new things and have had some delicious meals, snacks and desserts, but I’ve realized that I particularly miss cereal.
- Restraint in Honking One’s Automobile Horn – Too much honking, enough said.
- Vehicle Emissions Inspections – I don’t think I will ever complain about this again as it is a very valuable regulatory measure.
- Sidewalks – This kind of goes with the honking and the exhaust emissions, it’s often unpleasant to walk to places within cities and towns, which is probably my only real complaint about the country.
- Not having to explain that 21 is too young to be married – If I had 10 rupees for everytime someone either asked me where my husband was or if I was married, my trip would probably be financed for me.
Other Notes:
- I was confused/amused by a sign in Mamallapuram (at the hospital) that said this, ” If you catch AIDS, who will catch fish.”
- In Madurai, my celebrity went beyond handshakes and photos to endorsements. I was randomly stopped by a man with a camera and a microphone who asked me to say, “Krishna TV, viewer’s choice.” I hope that Krishna Tv (if they use my endorsement) provides a quality product that I won’t regret calling the ‘viewer’s choice.’
November 23, 2009 at 8:00 pm |
It seems like you’ve been gone a lot longer than 2 months.
The first time daddy and I went to London the exhaust fumes and honking horns we almost overwhelming, now the city has a tax on cars in city centre and it is a great place to walk….so maybe there is hope for India, too, although I can’t imagine how they will deal with the cows and goats.
Start asking if they have a husband to offer….you are interested and will give consideration to a good offer. They are probably nervous that their women will realize that life could be a lot more fun, if they weren’t married.
Do most of the westerners you meet talk with you about the hand shake, photograph and now tv endorsement issue? Maybe your red hair, fair skin and height give you a more unusual appearance than most visitors.
Loved your photo galleries….great eye….either your skills have really improved or cameras are getting much better! I really got a much better sense of India looking through all the photos. Thanks.
November 25, 2009 at 4:31 pm |
Hi, Elizabeth,
I got your postcard from Hampi yesterday (11/24). They have some amazing temples in india.
The Prime Minister of India was in the US, having a state dinner in a tent on the White house lawn. I didn’t know they could make tents look so elegant!
I am making Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow for Mike, Dawn, and Ardis. A small group this year. I hope my cranberries don’t turn out runny like they were last year. I am making a table runner out of old Thanksgiving napkins–very lame!!
I love your photos, too!