Kicking it Indian Style.

Okay, I know people want to see pictures of me in the Salwar Kameez. I will say this about them the top and bottoms are very comfy... the Dupatta... well I am working on that. I constantly feel like I am being either strangled by a cloth python or wearing a bib. The Bindi's I tend to forget I am wearing and will find myself "gosh I feel like something is stuck to my forhead... Oh yeah there is."

Before I post the pictures I will say we had some issues with getting them in focus. You know how it is when someone else uses your camera. Also, I want a promise there will be no laughing, teasing or other uncivilized behavior. By viewing the picture you are agreeing to these terms. If don't agree use back button on your browser.

Ok you agree? Here you go.

The long straight thing hanging down is the Dupatta. It's actually folded into quarters widthwise otherwise it's wide enough to use as an awning. Ordinarily it would be draped in the front and flung back over my shoulders. I have to say I kind of look like a giant teal dirigible in this get up but the people in the office seemed to like it.

Mission Shopping completed.

Well it's late I won't do a long post but I have been to commercial street and the General Sarah has helped me to complete my shopping mission. First off... the street is in insane. All these tightly packed shops and winding alleys. I would still be wandering there if I had gone on my own. The stuff is gorgeous. Many of the shops didn't carry my size (I am not even in the plus sizes in the US). The girls didn't make obvious but I think in India sizes I am right in between the holy cow and small elephant range.

We did find some beautiful things in my size despite the issues. I bought 3 Salwar Kameez, one in Silk and two in cotton. The silk has gorgeous bead work and the others have lovely embroidery. I bought 5 kurti(tops), one in linen, one in crepe, and three cotton everyday wear. Of course it wasn't enough that I buy the clothes oh no the girls had to insist that I also look at sandals. I am now the proud owner of a beaded pair of slippers (juties?) and a pair of leather sandals. That wasn't ENOUGH I had to get matching earrings (3 pairs) AND Bindis. I staunchly drew the line at bangles as I just don't like things on my wrists. I think I have almost been girlified.

I also bought some Pashmini (shawls) and a bag for some people back home. Oh and a gift for my Mom... Hi Ma! Which shall remain a secret for as long as I can keep it. (I am terrible secret keeper sometimes and 4 weeks is a long time).

I don't fully know the cost of this whirlwind tour right now. I will have to wait for the dust to settle on my credit card. I will say I am mad at one of my cards... even though I very carefully told them I was coming to India THEY still put a hold on it! Forcing me to go to my back up card. Blech. It worked just last night. Ah well. It was fun. Oh and did have some Masala Dosa today... can you say YUMMY. Think potato filled crepe ala India. Very tasty, although you do have to tear and eat it one handed. That is something that takes some practice. Well it's late... I will be outfitted in my silk Salwar getup tomorrow and will get the gals to takes some pics.

TGIF... India Style.

So today is Friday. I ordered some very good Italian. I had to order it in because I couldn't find the restaurant when I went out. Apparently I walked right past it in the dark. I went out walking earlier as well... I think I have got this "crossing the street" thing down. I was dodging between the Auto rickshaws and a bus and I look up and there are three Indian men on the other side of the street watching me and wincing as I dodge the traffic. I think they were envisioning the white girl going splat on the pavement.

So, there were some questions on what some of the things meant. Kaatizone is a restaurant (I think it's a chain) that sells the most tasty things in the world. I think the name of the item is actually Paratha. Imagine Indian burrito... minus bean. They are yummy chicken, thinly sliced onions and other stuff(who knows don't ask it tastes good) rolled in a thin tortilla like thing. Very yummy. I am developing an addiction to them!! Developing heck I am addicted.

Salwar Kameez are the Indian outfits that consist of the pajama like bottoms (Salwar), long top(Kameez), and a scarfy thing (called a Dupatta). They are generally sold in sets and therefore excellent for someone that doesn't want to think about matching an outfit. They come in silks, or light cotton or gauzy material. Since I am not a girly girl it should be interesting picking something out. The ladies from the office who are helping me are preparing for this expedition like generals prepping for war. We have had several strategy sessions. Shopkeepers beware!

I think the gals are also on a bit of a mission to girlify me. They are talking about sending me back to the US with Mehendi (Henna Tattoos) and in a Salwar Kameez with bangles, and cutesy sandals... I just afraid the customs officials may not let me back in the US. Who is this white Indian girl with an American passport? I don't know... let's do a cavity search!

I am happy to report that the information I read everywhere about Indians not having pets is false. Many of the people at the office have dogs. While the people may care very much for their individual pets there does not seem to any pet population control for the country as a whole. So yes stray animals are prevalent. The stray dogs do seem in better shape than the stray cats. Possibly because the cats are only slightly smaller than the rats (I saw a dead one... and based on that never want to see a live one).

Well I will be headed into the office shortly. I have a few new pics on the side bar. Namaste from India (no one has yet said that to me...)

Another day another 50 rupees...

Well another day in Bangalore. It's Thursday. I have been working a late night shift that somewhat thwarts my efforts to get out there and see much during the day... since that is when I am sleeping. I am really looking forward to this weekend. I am going SHOPPING with Sarah, one of the trainers, and I can't wait to buy some things. I have been very hesistant to buy much since I really don't know the value of things or really what is considered good quality. Also the stores around the apartment seem to be more westernized. They a Levi and a Wrangler store, Rebok, etc. Who flies halfway around the world to come home with what you could buy at Walmart? Oh well I am sure someone would but not me.

On my list of things to buy: Salwar Kameez, some embroidered tops, some handicrafts and a surprise for my Mom... but I won't say what here. HI MOM! The exchange rate is quite good against the dollar. It's about 50 rupees for a buck. To give you an idea, the Kaatizones I have been ordering at the office are 68 rupees so a little over a buck for dinner. Sarah was telling me that a top is about 2 dollars. That is why I packed so very light. I am coming home with alot of stuff!!

Tomorrow I am working the really late shift... 10p-7a so I think I will go to dinner in the evening. Hmm what to eat? I will say. I am surprised that I am not craving US food as much as I thought... so far. I thought I would be dying for a hamburger by now but we have a very international selection of restaurants. The only thing I seem to be craving is bread... you know crusty french bread with garlic butter. It must be a carb thing.

Well, sorry I am so boring... even life in India has it's downtime. This weekend will be exciting. Stay tuned for the results of my shopping extravaganza!

Technical Difficulties

Hello all!! By now you are all brimming with desire to hear about all the exciting adventures I had on Sunday. Unfortunately, body was experiencing sudden unexpected downtime of the sort that travelers in foreign countries often get. Let's not get into details on that now shall we? Since I kept on a pretty short leash on Sunday I didn't have to tell.

I don't have any new pictures, I will try and get some tomorrow. The dude with the wardrobe one of my previous posts is Sai Babba an Indian Holy man. You notice he was wearing a reddish cloak but today he was in a sliver and green brocade. I hear that is what all the well dressed statues will be wearing this season. He is the neighborhood fashionista.

On with my observations, one thing I have noticed about the people here is that they are very concerned about food. The first question they ask you is "How do you enjoy Indian food?" "What kind of food do you cook at home?", Etc. Only after about 5-10 questions about food and my taste for Indian food do they every ask how I like their country. I have quite figured out if they are waiting for me to run screaming from eating the food or planning to feed you something insane. They are very nice. They constantly are handing me things to eat with names I can't pronounce.

Thus far I find the food quite good. It is very rich in spices, Indian Cooking Motto: Why use one spice when you can use 50? I am finding the flavor is strong enough you don't need to eat very much of anything... maybe I will lose weight!!!

Ha Ha.. no because I discovered the joys of Mugen this week. A lovely oriental restaurant that serves Chinese, Thai and Indonesian food. I love their crispy lemon chicken and their sesame noodles. Unfortunately, if I eat there very often they may need to rename the restaurant MooJenn. Well that is all for now. I have heard of a tour company that can take you around Bangalore and show you the sites. I think I may check them out!

Oh and a bit of a house keeping note. I know the slideshow on the sidepar cuts the photos off. Double click on it and it will open the Photobucet album I am keeping the photos in. You can see them at your leisure.

How does a westerner cross the road?

Well I am sorry I missed posting yesterday but I thought I would have lots more to cover over the weekend. Today is all about preparation for travels tomorrow. Tomorrow I am going to try to see some of the sights of the city. This will require me find a cab take it somewhere and get back. Scary and exciting!!

So today, I went for another walk down the street. Traffic was much worse today and I need to cross 100 foot road to get to the atm. I have heard a lot about crossing streets in India. It's not like they have crosswalks or much in the way of sidewalks. Today I learned if the traffic is backed up on the road then the sidewalks is where the bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, and autorickshaws will drive. One thing to remember when that happens... bob and weave. Definately need to bob and weave.

So I had read up on this whole "crossing the street" thing in various places. One of the suggestions is to find an Indian who is about to cross the road and follow them. This is a really good system because the car will hit the Indian first thereby keeping you safe. This worked fairly well but you do feel kind of bad when you realize you are using a 10 year old boy as car fodder.

There always comes a time, however, when no Indian is crossing the road. At this point you either need to be at one with side of the street you are on or grow a pair and get out there. I happy to say I have completed this right of passage. The chicken has crossed the road!!!

Another traffic related topic is the usage of the horns on the road. Yes, Indian use their horns ALOT. Sitting here in the apartment I hear them going constantly. Now you might think this is distracting but after about a day it just becomes background noise and merges with the sound of the birds. Someone was asking me if using the horns is some sort of road rage thing. Using your horn in India does not have the same emotional conotations as in the US. It's not necessarily a rude thing. Many of the trucks are painted "Please Horn" on the back. It's more of a communcation thing.

Ok well tomorrow I am going to try to venture out on my own. Scarry but interresting. In the meanwhile... I am trying to come up with a list of things that I need to see/do before I leave. I am looking for suggestions. Help me out... You haven't been to India unless you have seen/done... what?

So far, I have seen several cows, stray dogs, a temple, people doing their business in the street (both 1 and 2), a very determined begger (she looked frail but she had a grip like iron).

And to think I saw it on 100 Ft Road

So last night I was beat. I slept for almost 12 hours and woke up this morning refreshed and ready to see something of this world I landed in. I went for a walk thru the streets. Does anyone remember the Dr Seuss "And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street " well this post is the "And to think I saw it on 100 Ft Road" version via India. So the first think I do stepping out of the apartment is take a picture of the building. Why? Well so if I get lost I might be able to show that to some and find my way home.

Next went down the street and I was taking a picture of this interesting painted arch. I remember thinking "I have been in India for over 24hrs and I haven't seen a cow. Two hundred million cows and I haven't seen a single one. Really where are all these cows anyway?" At that VERY moment I looked over and right next to me was this cow. I can't express the timing enough at very second I was doubting the cow he appeared to restore my faith ( and reaffrim I won't be eating a really good hamburger in India). This is why cows are sacred in India.




My what big horns you have Mr. Cow... the better to gore me with if I did get any carnivorous leanings. After that I pretty much walked up the street and back. I saw this shrine/statue. I don't know really what/who he is but he has a nice wardrobe.

Here I am...

Well forty years ago I spent a long time in a very cramped space only to come out into the world. I couldn't understand the language, I didn't know what food I was eating and everything just looked strange. Forty years later I get to reenact that fateful day. I spent hour after hour in a cramped space eventually emerged into a world I don't understand. I can't help but think that arriving on my 40th Birthday is a good thing? There is nothing like celebrating your almost halfway mark in life by getting to do something truly extraordinary.

Anyway, good or bad... I am here in Bangalore. Tired but still wired from the flights. I had mostly uneventful trip. I only had a bit of a detour in the rabbits warren that is Frankfurt Airport. I was directed to the incorrect gate, where a flight for Tel Aviv was departing. I had to go thru some "additional" security, i.e. full pat down only to find that I really didn't need to do that.

Hey everyone there is a comments link on down below... Feel free to leave any comments or questions so I know I am not talking to myself here. I don't want to be the electronic version of the crazy lady on the street. I mean who is this strange person talking to herself and taking pictures of stuffed dogs? Quick hit the back button on the browser before she sees us... ;)

Idling in PDX...

Well I am just sitting here waiting for the flight to board in Portland. I have just enough time for quick post. Poof is here with me and I gave the Japanese tourists boarding for the Tokyo flight in the next gate a laugh when I stopped to take a picture of a stuffed dog. I mean they will take a picture of anything but... a stuffed dog?

Anyway dignity aside... here is Poof chilling at the gate waiting for the flight. I think I may have to make finding Poof harder in future pictures. Think of it as a where's Poof game... LOL

Next post... maybe Frankfurt? Surely they have WiFi there? If not see ya in Bangalore.

The Night Before...

Well, it's finally come. Tomorrow I go to India. Yes I am finally packed. I would love to have some sage wisdom to offer on how to efficiently pack for a 6 week trip, however, I don't have any. I hate packing. Anytime I know I going to do something that requires packing I have nightmares. I am always running late and trying to pack at the last minute. Hmmm, you might think that would encourage me to prepare ahead but somehow it just makes me put the whole thing off.

Well, I would love to bore everyone with the details of my packing. I think instead I will spend the time hanging out with my greyhound Sam. I am going to miss the critter gang here. Thankfully on Friday, my agents in PDX gave me a small stuffed dog to stand in for my critters while I am gone. A powder puff pink stuffed poodle (I named it Poof). Poof will be accompanying me to India so look for updates on Poof's travels.

Countdown

I am on the countdown to India. It's less than a week away. I leave on Monday the 16th. How did time fly so fast. It seems like just yesterday that I was talking with my boss's boss's boss (or my great grand boss or the UberBoss) about the possibility of going to India. When the possibility of something like this first comes up you can't quite believe it is going to happen. I didn't think it would really hit me I was going until I got on the plane, however, when you travel to a country like India it really hits you are going much sooner. It hits you hard in the arm... when you get your shots.

I have never visited a country that requires "shots". Oh sure people talk about getting their "shots" but they really don't go into the what that entails. First you go to a doctors office and the dotor lists off the diseases going on a you COULD get, like a waiter at restuarant reading the daily specials. Then you get to pick which diseases you don't want to get. After I decide what shots I need the doctor, who obviously took the "Do No Harm" part of his oath with a grain of salt, comes and shoots you. Then they send you on your way with a flippant "take ibuprofen" comment.

Where Am I going?

I am sure anyone stumbling on this blog might be wondering why I titled this "where am I going". Well mostly because all the good names that make sense were taken. Isn't that true of everything on the web? Of course, I could have meant this as a philosophical questions. (Where am I going? Where are any of us going... blah blah whatever) I could be asking for assistance. and hoping someone out there in the electronic ether will tell me where to go (I am sure there are plenty out there who would be happy to). There is, however, a practical reason I did select the name. I am going to be traveling on business to India and want to keep a log of my "travels". There where else on the web can you get such a straitforward answer to a question. You got an answer in one blog.

I am going to be in India for 6 weeks, just a single female traveling alone halfway around the world. Did I mention, I haven't ever been to India before? Yeah... I doubt I will any interesting tales to tell... It will probably be pretty boring... so why even bother to sign up for the RSS Feed?