I'm still here!

So I haven't posted much because I hate the fact that I can't show any pictures. Its so hard to describe everything here... I really want to be able to show it to everyone! A friend at work did let me borrow a camera, but he doesn't have the cord to load the pictures onto my computer, so I do have a few pictures now, but I can't show them to you. I am told every day that I should be getting my camera soon out of customs. A word to anyone who ever wants to send something to India... don't put a high value on it. If they think it is valuable, they will make you wait forever for it... Unfortunately I didn't learn that little hint until it was too late.

I've eaten all kinds of foods that I never thought I would like since I've been here, and I was really impressed with the fact that I had somehow managed to not fall victim to "Delhi Belly", but yesterday it hit me. I ate lunch at KFC, got a little American food back in me, and immediately regretted it. I think it was the fountain drink, it was the first time I drank something that wasn't out of a bottle. I felt better last night, but this morning was not pleasant. Luckily my doctor had given me an antibiotic to take in case of such a situation, and that did help. So I slept quite a bit today and didn't get much work done...

I know I've neglected to tell about a lot of things that I want to because I thought pictures would make it so much better, but let me go ahead and tell you the thing that has been hardest for me to get used to. (OK, one of the things.. I don't think I could pick just one thing.) One of the most popular forms of transportation is the motorcycle, because on a bike you can easily zip around all the cars and buses and autorickshaws that are taking up all of the road. Helmets are now required for those who are driving motorcycles, but not for anyone else on the bike. It is totally normal now for me to see a man driving his bike, a 3 year old sitting in front of him holding on to the handlebars as well, with his wife sitting sidesaddle on the back holding a baby. I'm glad that if they were to crash the dad would have his head protected as the family goes flying...

I feel I do have to admit now that I have ridden on the back of a bike now, and I did not have a helmet on. I figure when in Rome... I'm told that statistically it is the safest mode of transportation in this city. I don't know about that, but it is faster. I actually enjoyed it! Not that I want to buy a Harley when I get back to the States...

I went out to a nightclub this weekend, and it was very different than clubs back home. Would you believe that they stop serving alcohol at 11pm? Back home that is about the time people start going out! Everyone there was very nice, I did meet someone who works at a call center for Dell Financial and he kept telling me how nice it was to meet an American who wasn't irate. I assured him that most of us aren't that way...

One of the things I was curious about and have asked several people about is the whole arranged marriage thing. That is still very much alive and well here, but as the population becomes more educated and there are more and more young people getting jobs it is starting to sometimes change. In the office most of the people who are married were arranged marriages, but there are a couple who chose their own spouse. People ask me about getting married in America, and ask if parents ever "do the needful" to get their child a spouse. So, Mom and Dad, if you had just done the needful you would already be grandparents by now! I'm going to blame it all on you...

One new friend was telling me about the village where his grandparents live. To get there involves a 3 day train journey, and then a few hours in a 4x4. The village has no road, no phones, no running water, and no electricity. It boggles my mind to think that such places still exist! This country is such an amazing mixture of past and present and future.

Those of you that are part of the Bell family will be amused to know that the most popular local beer here is called Kingfisher! (That is the name of the small town in Oklahoma where my great-grandparents had a farm). It is very good stuff. The guy who started that brewery did so well with the beer that he also started Kingfisher airlines, one of the most popular low cost carriers here in India.

Its funny how normal being here is starting to seem. I am now used to having a private driver, a houseboy, and a 4 bedroom apartment all to myself! The first first couple of weeks I was pretty depressed and miserable, but now I am really starting to love it here. Not that I would want to live here forever, but I wouldn't mind visiting more often!

I know this has been kind of a random post, but I just had a lot of random things on my mind after sleeping most of the day. Tomorrow its back to the office... I hope everyone is doing well, I can't believe I'll be home in just under a month!