India is a place where ..........
• Hindu dieties change their names and form from region to region. Stories and legends vary. People pick and choose their favourite ones. Not surprising when you consider that there are more than 330 million dieties to choose from.
• a simple bus ride is a life threatening experience. Roads are filled with all types of vehicles, people and animals. From large trucks to buses of varying sizes, cars, bullock-drawn carts, motorcycles, bicycles, and women carrying all types of interesting things on their heads.
• cattle have the right of way. Buses swerve, cars yield more readily for them than for people, and pedestrians alter their route so that the cattle can continue on their chosen path.
• groups of Hindu pilgrims dressed in black lungis fulfill their annual 41 day pilgrimmage to cleanse their sins and strengthen their spirits.
• negotiation is pervasive and unavoidable. The final negotiated price for a service is smiply the base for the next round of negotiations (grinding) for a higher price.
• every child wants a school pen. Beggars are never satisfied, if you don’t give them money they are upset, if you do give them money they are never happy with the amount.
• men have time for endless cups of chai (sweet tea with milk) and women are noticeably absent hidden in the background doing most of the daily work.
• noise is a right from constant howling horns to blaring Indian music to heated arguments in the middle of the street.
• some young children walk to school in shabby uniforms in bare feet while others are dressed in spotless pressed uniforms complete with knee socks and shoes, riding in autorickshaws.
• English is widely spoken, but with a distinctive Indian twist and accent. As our tour guide announces “the bus is being back”.
• construction standards are absent, from uniquely sized doors and windows to counters of varying heights and makeshift electrical and plumbing installations prone to failure.