1 month and 2 days into it

Well there I go... I'd started writing a really long winded description of... everything, but remembering that everyone doesn't feel like reading a novel when they open a blog... I'll try to be more brief and include the more interesting/funnier/stranger things...

Weather wise - well it's better than Europe from what I can see... Sandals are out, and the scarf is gradually spending more time in the wardrobe. Well, England did have snow, but apparently not enough to call a snow day, so I'm not too jealous.

The flat is good, workable, most people will already have seen the hi-tech appliances on facebook: power shower and state of the art cooker...

But it works, we have hot water and most of the time, electricity! We have a generator out on the balcony, but it seems that, instead of backing us up in case of power cut, it's creating short circuits itself... oh well!

The area is fine, there are a few shops for day to day stuff (biscuits, fags, eggs, chocolate) and they have entertaining shop keepers: the Sikh shop has 2 brothers who couldn't be more different from each other - 1 shouts at you all the time, as if he was really pissed off (he shouts at everyone actually) and the other is super friendly with the highest pitch laughter ever! They don't seem to see the difference between Jo and I, and have started telling us off cause we're buying too much chocolate, each, everyday: Not true, we alternate! Well, I guess us "goras" all look the same to them! Or we’re getting fat?

The other shop has a team of 4 people, it's like chain work: 1 to get the item from the shelf, one to tell him which to get, one to add up totals and write bills, and one to count the change needed. Thing is, the shop is tiny, so they're kind of on top of each other!!

Anyway - So all is well in terms of accommodation!

In terms of outings, I went to Jaipur a couple of weekends ago, and had a great time with Sumati & family. We watched a cricket match - only Sumati and old school friends playing at their old school - I actually quite enjoyed it live!

We did some amazing shopping in the town's bazaar, we visited a fort, we had some lovely Rajasthan food, did a bit more shopping... Very nice, and the weather was so much warmer there... Delhi is chilly!! (I know, sorry, can’t complain with an average day temperature of 20 but still…)

A few things I’ve noticed that made me either smile, chuckle, or laugh out loud:

The chai man around the corner: very surprised that I wanted chai, and not just cigarettes. I said: eik chai? He gave me a pack of malboros. I said: nahi – chai! He wanted to give me a tea bag… I did manage to get it in the end after a big “aaaaah Chai!” of understanding from him

A thug, the English word, come from the Hindi word, pronounced “tug” – hum…

Trying to walk somewhere is way more hassle than getting a rickshaw, especially when locals give you uncalled-for wrong directions!

“Showering” or “bucketing” by candle light makes you feel very humble – I think that’s the word anyway.

Backpackers look hungry

U-turns on city dual carriage ways are acceptable, but may cause a few lifted eyebrows.

Getting hit by a flying cricket bat doesn’t actually hurt too much!

Bread Pakoras are nice, but greasy.

Getting a puncture in India: you start with one guy helping you out, and end with 15 sitting around looking, a few children, and dogs.

Sweet lassis are yummy! (not the dog..)

After living here for a month, a kitchen accessories shop is very exciting.

Instead of fussing over 50rs, you should take a rickshaw instead of walking – much less hassle for a lone woman.

Advertising on TV against hair-fall in woman definitely works. Adverts tend to have a mix of Hindi and English words in them, and students learn those well. While Jo was picking a hair off her top yesterday, one of the students said: “hair-fall?” – may not be so funny to those who have never seen those ads…

Public places such as parks could be renamed “young couples snogging places” Was it because of Valentines Day? Will have to go back & check…

A few road rules:

Over-take left or right, no worries

Someone in your way? Honk

At night, blind people with your full beams to get them out of your way

If someone indicates left, overtake them on the left and vice versa (that means you can and should – they’re not turning)

Driving in India is like racing a really slow race

They’ve still got great sounding honks

“slow drive – long life” written on back of trucks

“use dipper ok at night” also on back of trucks

“Horn OK please” (see above)

Put your lights on – if you feel like it

Slowest vehicles on the right lane, including tractors and heavy plants

Driving against the traffic on motorways is fine

Sometimes, indicating may mean you’re going to turn

Warning lights may be used for no apparent reason

After flashing and honking, start swearing if still not given way to

Indicating with your arms is good

The Backstreet boys should not tolerated in a car (or elsewhere for that matter!) (own rule)

Bumps are a plenty and there to stay: be aware of unusual or excessive bouncing on truck in front

Give priority to bigger vehicles, and elephants

Rickshaws with Ferrari stickers go no faster

When in a traffic jam, far left lane is fastest

Truck drivers are nicer than bus drivers

Quotes from students:

“hair fall?”

“Amusement is intolerable” 22 year old, when asked how high up his priority “amusement” is in friendship

The Congolese “French” word for shower is “strainer”. I need to ask whether they use another word for pasta-straining.

There are lots of notices asking you not to spit. They don’t work.

“If you do bad things, we will catch you” at the immigration bureau…

“Smile, it increases your face value” also at the immigration bureau

“ce sont” – French for “these are” sounds the same as the Hindi word for having a wee-wee…

John Lennon was re-baptized John Lemon by my Congolese students… “How do you spell – The Beatles?”

That’s it for now, I need to start again on my collection...

For a bit of news, I’ve started working a bit harder, and am starting French classes next week!! Aie!

This weekend, plans are to go and hopefully register at a horse riding club, get back into my old hobby (aah, having money!) and a spot of shopping? And maybe I’ll drag Jo out if she fancies it… She’s working like crazy, and pretty knackered by the weekend (if she has one…) Off I go now, my Malai Kofta will be here in a minute…