Catching Up with India Part II: Outings

Our first full day in India was a day of naps. Naps for jet lag, naps for the heat, naps for time difference and naps for waiting. We did manage to get out and do some exploring in between times we were expecting someone.

The first outing was nice stroll around our apartment complex, which was a brilliant idea on our part, for we found an internet cafe/electronic store, a small market and bank right there in the apartment complex. We quickly typed away emails to family members letting them know we were safe, before heading out. "Out" was a cautious walk out on to the street just outside of the apartment. Your first time walking along Delhi's, usually sidewalk-less streets will feel a lot like playing Frogger. Cars do not slow down much less stop for pedestrians, nor do people really care that cars, buses, auto rickshaws (aka, autos), motorcycles or bikes come with inches of their body. Not to worry, you quickly become accustomed to and indifferent to this.

We luckily came upon a small outdoor market--we were in need of groceries. This market, known as Sector 9 market, consisted of one main street that had small indoor shops on one side then a vein-like network of alleyways branching off of the other. It is this web of allies --narrow, twisting, congested with flies, children and produce stands in front of people's homes--that is to be our grocery store for the next three months.

It was at this market that we would be buying the food for our dinner, which every evening is prepared by Laxmi. Laxmi is a brilliant woman, with a sense of humor and negotiating style that is straight to the point. She is a woman we are required to hire to helping with cleaning and meals Monday through Friday. We worked it out so that she will cook our dinners, the leftovers from which become our lunch and we do our own American style breakfast: cereal--they have special K!--milk, yogurt, toast--with mango jam, mmm--fruit--papayas, bananas, melons--and tea or mango nectar. As of now, Laxmi is on a trip for 10 days, so her aunti (who doesn't speak English is here helping out).

Later on in the day Priyanka and Anita, two of our amazingly sweet, helpful and accommodating co-workers, took us out shopping again. We went back to the Sector 9 market and bought real groceries (during our first outing our pathetic Hindi only managed to get us two bundles of mint). They also showed us another market in our sector--12--which has the phone store, for recharging our sim card, and an ATM.

The following day consisted of more outings and less naps. Sandeep came at 10am to take us to work (which always starts at 10). When we got there we were graciously allowed to use the internet (but with limited time, so no time to blog) and got to meet some of the most influential people of this trip. First was Mr. Jolly sir, an interesting, dignified-looking man with white and grey hair that adorns both his head and his handlebar mustache. He was inquisitive and friendly, asking, several times, if we were comfortable at home, where we were from, which cities we would like to see and so on. Next and even more important, making her grand, yet rushed entrance was Sonal ma'am (who we had spoken to several times before). She has an almost intimidating air at first, mostly brought on by he important status we know she holds within Maitri. She is tall, fair and slender. When she talks she commands your attention, but from the words we exchanged with her and from what we hear from others she seems to have a fair, accommodating, yet expecting personality.

Most important note about the office: THE CHAI IS AMAZING! I don't even know what to say, except move over latte, I have a new addiction. Vikrham-paiya (paiya=brother), another co-worker, makes it so good!

After a quick stop home for lunch, Priyanka and Anita came buy to take us cloths shopping, but on the way they were called and informed that they were need at the office. This turned out to be a wonderful thing.We got to meet the kids! One of Maitri's projects is a tutorial school for near-by slum children, to practice math, English and Hindi. They are so fantastic! The first class (there are two classes one for younger children and one for the older, more reserved students) of younger students were so inquisitive and curious, constantly sneaking looks at us or just flat out staring. And their English was quite good and just as adorable, yet at times, uncertain as their stares. We were introduced with many light handshakes and a soft "Hello ma'am, my name is______". I couldn't pick up any names that first time, but I know they will come. One boy in particular stood out. He was tall, dark skinned and was very eger with us. His English was the best of the class and he was sweet, yet bold enough to ask to sit right next to Yvette and I. This boy also has a large indent on the back left side of his head, about the size of a large grapefruit. The product of a brain tumor he had when we was younger. But this seems not have affected him at all, except to make him better at English and more out going. He gave me a sticker :)

At one point while surrounded by a group of giggling girls, the teacher turned to me and asked if I was married. Confused and blushing, I quickly said "No" and asked why she had asked. Apparently one of the girls noticed my toe ring and apparently married women often wear toe rings as a sign of marriage; for instance, the teacher wore two, one for each of her children. I'm not sure if I should keep wearing mine, although Priyanka professed ignorance of this tradition. Oh and we also taught a group of kids "Mary had a Little Lamb". The love these nursery rhymes and recited "Twinkle Little Star" and another I didn't recognize, for us.

After class finished and another cup of chai, Priyanka and Anita were able to take us shopping. We went to an upscale, very posh market called G.K. market. Here both Yvette and I bought our first full Indian outfits. My consisted of a cream-colored long top, called a kurta, and burgundy red tight pants to go underneath and then a red scarf, dupatta, to top it off. In this market we also found a great bookstore with amazingly helpful Hindi-English phrase book. After a quick stop at a western style sandwich shop/cafe where Anita and Priyanka had some paninies and I had a cup of tea (not like the amazing chai at the office though), we headed home for the night.

Successful first two days.