In case you were wondering what an autorickshaw looks like...
It looks a little bit like a motorcycle and a turtle got together. This is how I get to and from the program center. It's actually a pretty scary mode of transportation, but it works well and only takes about a half hour and costs about Rs 100 ($2) for the two of us. Annnnnd we get constantly ripped off, so it is really important to make sure we ask our host parents how much it usually costs [Indians] to get from place to place before we go anywhere. My strategy lately has been to hold the amount i am willing to pay in one hand and just insist that that's all I have with me. I'm usually always quoted at least double what it should be, but eventually it works out. I'm not really good at bargaining because it bothers me so much when people try to do it to me at Ocean Gallery, so it's a different midset to get into because it's just expected here!
The past day has been fun - more Hindi class and a lecture from a local professor who gave a very general (and kind of disjointed) lecture on public health in India. He talked a lot about the dichotomy between modern medicine in India and the problem of so many people having superstitious beliefs and/or cultural/gender norms that keep them from seeking treatment.
Last night our host family made us a DELICIOUS "American" dinner. It was chicken fillets in a worcestershire sauce (my hostdad's pronunciation of it was interesting) with raisins, green beans ("Green chilies!!!" said Aurco, the host-bro), hash browns, giant fluffy rolls, and eggs with dill. It definitely was still an Indian meal, but we laughed as we watched them struggle with the forks and knives (especially our host sister) just as they laugh when they watch us try to eat with our hands or try to rip chapati (bread) with one hand (it's rude to use your left hand in India because it's relegated for "bathroom use." It was really nice of them to prepare that meal for us, but I'm just as happy with Indian food. Our Dad did the cooking, which was surprising, because usually in Indian households the women or domestic help always do the cooking. Apparently it's his favorite past time.
It was our parents' 15th anniversary yesterday, but they didn't tell us until their friends were coming in the door! We were practicing our Hindi at the dining room table and their friends came in with gifts and a special cake from Kolkata made from sugar and a cottage cheese-like mixture. The guests thought that us practicing Hindi was ...for lack of a better word, "adorable," haha.
Also - I'm going to Agra tomorrow to see the Taj Mahal!!!!! AHHHH!!! It's a 2.5 hour train ride away. I can't wait! Tonight we're going to an "international puppet show" with our host fam. Not sure what that's going to be like, but I'm excited. More soon!
It looks a little bit like a motorcycle and a turtle got together. This is how I get to and from the program center. It's actually a pretty scary mode of transportation, but it works well and only takes about a half hour and costs about Rs 100 ($2) for the two of us. Annnnnd we get constantly ripped off, so it is really important to make sure we ask our host parents how much it usually costs [Indians] to get from place to place before we go anywhere. My strategy lately has been to hold the amount i am willing to pay in one hand and just insist that that's all I have with me. I'm usually always quoted at least double what it should be, but eventually it works out. I'm not really good at bargaining because it bothers me so much when people try to do it to me at Ocean Gallery, so it's a different midset to get into because it's just expected here!
The past day has been fun - more Hindi class and a lecture from a local professor who gave a very general (and kind of disjointed) lecture on public health in India. He talked a lot about the dichotomy between modern medicine in India and the problem of so many people having superstitious beliefs and/or cultural/gender norms that keep them from seeking treatment.
Last night our host family made us a DELICIOUS "American" dinner. It was chicken fillets in a worcestershire sauce (my hostdad's pronunciation of it was interesting) with raisins, green beans ("Green chilies!!!" said Aurco, the host-bro), hash browns, giant fluffy rolls, and eggs with dill. It definitely was still an Indian meal, but we laughed as we watched them struggle with the forks and knives (especially our host sister) just as they laugh when they watch us try to eat with our hands or try to rip chapati (bread) with one hand (it's rude to use your left hand in India because it's relegated for "bathroom use." It was really nice of them to prepare that meal for us, but I'm just as happy with Indian food. Our Dad did the cooking, which was surprising, because usually in Indian households the women or domestic help always do the cooking. Apparently it's his favorite past time.
It was our parents' 15th anniversary yesterday, but they didn't tell us until their friends were coming in the door! We were practicing our Hindi at the dining room table and their friends came in with gifts and a special cake from Kolkata made from sugar and a cottage cheese-like mixture. The guests thought that us practicing Hindi was ...for lack of a better word, "adorable," haha.
Also - I'm going to Agra tomorrow to see the Taj Mahal!!!!! AHHHH!!! It's a 2.5 hour train ride away. I can't wait! Tonight we're going to an "international puppet show" with our host fam. Not sure what that's going to be like, but I'm excited. More soon!
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