I am slowly adapting to their culture, too! I eat with my hands; I don't get scared when I am on the back of a motorbike or in an auto-rickshaw, and we get literally within a couple of inches from hitting a city bus, another bike, or a pedestrian! Although riding in a four wheel vehicle is not something that I have done often since being here, I am training myself to NOT put on my seatbelt. (When my host picked me up from the airport, we drove in a taxi on the way to the house. When I was working to put my seatbelt on, my host politely smiled, holding back his laughter, and then asked, "Do you where seatbelts in America?". Of course, I replied that we do. He proceeded to let me know that no one ever wears seatbelts in India. People will laugh at me if I do...Lesson #1.
Seeing cows meandering through the city streets has become normal for me. I still have not exactly gotten used to the stench that permeates the air in random pockets along the streets. When we are walking or riding through a not so pleasant smelling area, I try to hold my breath inconspicuously and be careful how much I talk!! Sometimes seeing stray dogs in the city is like playing "Where's Waldo?"...you might be looking down the sidewalk or in an abandoned lot, and if you look close enough, you will probably find about six or eight dogs just lounging in the sun, even under a car. (I find this game sort of amusing!)
I was shocked at one thing I saw when my host and I were walking down a street one afternoon, on our way to the ATM, just talking away. Just before we headed on our way, he told me to be careful where I step so that I don't step in cow dung. Oh, and watch out for human waste, too...What?! Yep, that's right. So, we were just about to the ATM, and what do I see along the side of the road?...The most precious little boy who is crouched on the ground. "How cute that this sweet little boy with no pants on is just playing in the sand next to his father", I thought. Nope...I look a second longer and see that he is relieving himself right there in plane daylight, on the side of the road. And we just kept on with our conversation as we walked toward the ATM.
It is also so interesting to see that Bangalore, the I.T. center of India, has both wealth and poverty scattered throughout the city. It's hit and miss where you will find a slum area. As you walk along a street, you will find some very beautiful and colorful homes and buildings, and then so oddly placed (at least in my mind) directly across the street or even between two of those homes will be a very run down home or slum. I am used to a city that is sectioned off...South "city" is the ritsy part of town; North "city" is a little more run down and full of violence; West "city" is not very developed, but it is still safe, and you can find some cute shops; Mid-town is okay, where you will have some nice, and some smaller houses and buildings...My host explained to me that Bangalore is set up in this "hit and miss" way because of the severe unequal distribution of wealth, where the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer. The middle class just struggle alot.
I have also met some very beautiful people. Despite their circumstances, it has been so encouraging to see how solid the faith is of some of the people I have met. Since I have been here, I have witnessed some very difficult circumstances that my host family has gone through, or that a close friend is going through, and yet they hold on so firmly to their faith in God - that He will never leave them nor forsake them. Some of the stories I have heard make my troubles look miniscule!
It has been so fun to see and eat the tropical fruits that are so plentious here! As an Oklahoman, I am not used to eating tropical fruits...so this is a treat! The colors that the women wear seem to bring life to the city, or to the room. As I walk down the street, or as I sit in church, the area is so magnificently painted with such bold colors...brilliant purple, bright orange, deep red, shimmering blue, silver with some glitters of gold...And they wear these colors so unashamedly and so beautifully! Who cares if this or that color is in season or not! Wear them proudly ; )
It seems as though drinking coffee (and strong coffee, at that) is not quite as popular here as it is in the States. I went probably two weeks without coffee, and then my host family took me out to buy some coffee so that I could make each morning...they are such lovely people ; ) At the end of the day, no matter where my exploring will take me across the globe, I will still always love my cup o' joe to relax with!
