Beth
Jan 27, 2007

Some of the Highlights Learned or Experienced from our India Trip

Interesting Indian Customs
• Head bobble
• Taking shoes off for temples
• Tea with almost every meal
• Elaborate weddings
• Wealth is saved in the form of jewelry
• Colorful dress of the women in saris
• Style of eating bread with curries
• Touching money to forehead if dropped
• Widespread love of cricket
• The “eye” on babies to ward off jealousy
• Greeting friends with kisses on the cheek
  
  Memorable Experiences
• Sprinting to catch the train to Tatanagar
• Bartering with vendors at New Market
• Riding an elephant at Mysore Palace
• Racing through Agra in auto rickshaws
• The riot in Bangalore
• Celebrating two 21st birthdays
• Buying ice cream for street kids
• Riding a hand-pulled rickshaw
• Playing/ talking with Puma, Kolkata market
• Riding on a motorcycle in Indian traffic
• Someone mistaking the closet for a toilet J
• Relationships made with the people we met

Things you wouldn't leave home without
• Camera
• iPod
• Book
• REI towel
• Toilet paper
• Hand sanitizer, baby wipes
• Chapstick
• Granola Bars
• Cipro

Favorite Business Visits
• Freeset Bags
• SKS Microfinance (village visit)
• Tata Steel
• Infosys
• Matt, the entrepreneur
• New Creation IT
• Olive Tech

Impressions of the People
• Hospitable, friendly
• Kind, open, outgoing
• Well-educated (more knowledgeable about U,S politics than most Americans!)
• Beautiful, curious
• Considerate, sincere
• The kids love chocolate!
• Outwardly affectionate with friends

Unexpected Surprises
• Poverty
• Strong sense of social responsibility
• Frequent power outages
• Value independence, distinctive identity
• Unfamiliar medicines
• Traffic, honking
• Thriving music/movie industry
• Strict security in business, tourist places
• Eagerness for personal relationships
• Gas (I'm not kidding) J
• Youthful, ambitious population

Favorite Tourist Spots
• Golconda Fort
• Agra Fort  (I loved the green courtyards and marble arches)
• Chowpatty Beach
• Mumbai. All of it.
• Arabian Sea
• Taj Mahal

Favorite Foods
• Garlic Naan
• Masala Chai
• Paneer Butter Masala
• Bombay Toast
• Palak Paneer
• Uthapam
• Dosas, Puri
• Kati Rolls