Another Update from Delhi

So, more about my time in India thus far... I continue to be enthralled by trying to understand what life in India must be like for an Indian. The contrast with American life is just so harsh that I can't imagine the homes that people go home to or how they provide for their families. One thing I have learned though, is that it is impossible to stereotype them, because all around me is such diversity.

Aside from the constant soul-piercing stares and occasional being taken advantage of, a lot of the people here are very nice, and I try not to question their motives or swear off further contact after negative encounters. They are very eager to help and haven't once asked me for money in return, only yesterday Vijay (who, might I add, has the words "Michael Jackson" tattooed on his left arm) asked for something American to remember us by. Early on I have learned to be patient and not rush into buying things I think I want. I've ended up paying too much for things I could get so many other places and feeling like a fool.

Which brings me to another point, shopping is so overwhelming. The second you show interest in something the vendor will come up to you and pull out a million other things to show you, but won't let you look at the selection yourself. I know what I like, and I'm very picky even though I can be indecisive, which has proven to be a formula for chaos in some of these shops and bazaars. Also, in India, everything is negotiable, which forces me out of my comfort zone of being nice to a fault, and forcing me to be assertive, because I know this stuff definitely does not hurt their feelings; they're so used to it. On the bright side, my outrage at being jipped serves this cause.

Last night we had a small party in the hallway downstairs. It was really quite nice to sit in the hallway with the big open windows, drink beer and diluted whiskey, smoke cigarettes and sing ridiculous pop songs sweating bullets all the while. I was 11:30 at night but it was still over 100 degrees. I swear to Vishnu that it feels like I have known these people so much longer than I actually have! There isnt a single person I dislike and am pleased to see no cliques forming thus far. Apparently to want to do EAP in India, you have to be pretty badass.

Today the other people in the Hyderabad program and I went to complete the process of having our visas registered. This time was actually quite enjoyable, as I learned how to play a new card game called gumsh. I'll show you guys when I get back! AND the wait was only 1 1/2 hours! Trying the Indian version of snus was much less enjoyable, as it burned and smelled and tasted like very strong cleaning chemicals. I got to try out a classmate's new hookah and finally got my cell phone up and running, and finally rode in a rickshaw for my first time! I shall post the video below.

I apologize for the long posts which must be difficult to commit to reading, but I would simply hate to leave out any details! The final detail, however, is for Chakira, if you're reading this: I have put lots of warm energy and water from the Sikh temple into your neckalce thus far. Also, I am beginning to read Autobiography of a Yogi today!