Selfish Crab

One evening in Jaipur, we visited Chokki Danhi, which is best described as a Rajasthani theme park slash county fair slash buffet.   Small children twirled atop poles, glum adolescents contorted themselves, and large subcontinental animals were available for rides.

Here are some highlights:

At one point, a middle-class Indian family approached us.  The father was excited that we were Americans.  He expressed his love for America and then pushed his daughters forward, these poor, awkward young things, and we all exchanged hullo-how-are-you’s.

At the buffet, some ruffians manning the rice station decided to have some fun with the Americans and not give us any rice.   And we dined on a classic Rajasthani thaal containing dal bati churma (“lentils, baked wheat ball, ground wheat+sugar”): 

During the meal, a middle-aged Indian man rushed over, and in perfect American English, said, “Whatever you do, do not drink that water,” gesturing at the cups of water I dispensed from a nearby sealed water jug, which I had, of course, half-drank already. 

It was a disconcerting night. 

# 2008 Jan 30    {Life}    1

traffic light by selfish crab.

According to one driver, to drive in India you need three things: “good horn, good brakes, and good luck.”

My own developing-world road traffic theory, as observed in India:

1. Traffic shall move at all costs.

2. There are no “lanes”. Instead, 6 vehicular units of width shall fill the road at all times, wherein bicycle/motorbike = 1 unit of width, auto rickshaw = 2 units, and automobile = 3 units.

3. Double quick beeps says “I’m passing”. Single long beep says “Watch it!”. Single quick beep says, “hello friend.” Beep accordingly.

# 2008 Jan 30    {Life}    2

Roadside Series – 10 by selfish crab.

Sometimes culture-shock works the other way, if you get acclimated enough. Here are some things that shocked me upon my return to New York:

1. Dogs on leashes.
2. Women in mini-skirts, or leggings. (!)
3. Calm, patient queues in single file.
4. No haggling? anywhere?
5. Ice cubes.
6. Hot water without turning on a switch 10 minutes before use.
7. No one wants to know whether I am Japanese.

# 2008 Jan 29    {Life}    1

schoolgirls by selfish crab.

I think I forgot how to blog.

# 2008 Jan 28    {Life}    #

safe and sound.   new and improved.  1,600 photos to be processed for your viewing pleasure.  let me first get my sleep cycles in check.  i also had some new year’s resolutions scribbled somewhere.  The answers to your most commonly asked questions, in regards to my trip, in order of frequency are:  (1) yes, (2) yes,  (3) sort of yes and then definitely-no-but-at-least-I-tried.   Questions provided separately.

# 2008 Jan 13    {Life}    #