The Strange Crazy and Bizarre

I am getting over a cold, so on Friday and Saturday I stayed in bed trying to give my body much needed rest. So, I thought I’d make a note on all the things in India that take a lot of getting used to. So here’s my list and explanation, if there is one, or my opinion on the issue.

Random power cuts – All of sudden, the electricity goes off. Usually it is not for more then 90 seconds but it is a bit shocking. Especially, when it happens when you are in the shower. It happens at work a lot, luckily I have not been a victim like others on my team who have gotten stuck in the elevator lift. The worst I have experienced was at shopping market called Big Bizarre, it’s like a Wal-Mart. The scary part was they don’t have back up lights or generators, one minute you are walking down the aisle and the next it’s almost pitch black and you are in a huge warehouse like store filled with complete strangers. It’s weird.

Males holding hands – The first time I saw this I was surprised and my boss explained to me that it is very common for males to hold hands. It is a sign of friendship and male bonding not of two people in love. Eventually, I got used to it but not before I took pictures. I went through various stages of reaction—puzzlement, wonder, curiosity, disgust, grudging acceptance, repulsion, etc. The sight is a common enough one in these parts--- grown men and teenaged boys holding hands in public like lovers that cannot bear physical separation from each other. Interesting to say the least, makes me giggle :)










Driving and motorcycles – Driving is insane here! There isn't a car out here that does not have some sort of scratch or dent on it. Everyone here drives like they are on a mission. I am not joking when I say it reminds of frogger. I mentioned it previously but now I have a few pictures. There are SO many motorcyclist on mopeds, not only does it seem that at least half the people here ride a motorcycle but they ride with their entire family on ONE motorcycle. These pictures are only the beginning, I didn’t get any with their infants and very small children. I do find it interesting that the male rider always has a helmet while the wife and kids don't have to wear one.
After the mopeds, the auto rickshaw is the next most popular, it's like a miniture taxi. It's a three wheeled vehicle that usually looks like a clown car because it has ten times the amount of people in than it should.
!Holy cow! – Cows are everywhere in India! There are cows wondering around all over the place. In Hinduism, the cow is revered as the source of food and symbol of life and may never be killed.
Since the cow is thought to be God's useful gift to mankind, consuming beef or veal is considered sacrilegious for Hindus. So needless to say I can’t wait to get home and go to Outback. There are also a ton of different animals, mainly dogs that are always walking the streets as well.
Spicy Food – So obviously India has spicy food but for someone like myself with extreme wussy mouth, it is MUCH spicier that you could imagine. It is now a running joke with my coworkers with anything they offer me to try they’ll say “It’s not spicy Carrie, we promise.” There are always items on the menu that state spicy or have that little pepper picture next to it but even it does not, I now know that I have to state “no spicy” to the waiter if we are a t restaurant because spiciness is a given NO MATTER WHAT. I try to stick with anything NOT Indian food, which is almost impossible. And I thought that I could handle hot and spicy food, not anymore.

I wanted to post this sooner but got busy with work shananigans. I will write more about last Sundays adventure, melt down in the 113 degree heat, not fun....I am also going out to another famous temple this weekend so I am sure I will have pictures.

Love ya long time! XOXO Peace from India!