Differences and Difficulties

So as you can imagine from my previous post this country is like an entirely different planet. It may be hard to imagine but the streets would be like if you take your entire school population and packed them all into the gym and made everyone have a specific task. So everybody is moving very slowly but surely towards an object while jostling with the person next to them and there is always the one person who insists on running around (which would normally be me but not in this city). It is hard to imagine that everyone of the people you see in the streets are out to do something, even if it may be pickpocketing, you see thousands of people a day and think how is it possible that everyone here IS here. You begin to question the world as you know it. To think in numbers this city has half the population of Canada, not Alberta, Canada. The state I am in, Maharashtra, has almost 3 times the population of Canada. Despite the amount of people and the apparent hectic feel, the city has a certain laid back attitude. It is the Indian mentality to not worry about anything so although someone may be late for an appointment they will still talk to me or help me out with directions.
There are some other differences that I have had difficulties with. The Indian accent is a very interesting and pleasing yet it creates some problems. I find it hard to decipher what people are saying and often have to get things said 3 times before I can pick out a word I know and roll with it. Also the direct families in India are small but very important so people in India refer to their cousins as brothers and sister. This can be very confusing when Abhishek says "My brother lives in Delhi", confused I think why does he not live with us. Then I find out he is actually a cousin. Also Sir or Mrs. is very formal in India so many people, including Abhishek, call people Auntie or Uncle so I think that these family friends are actually related to my host family, when I find out they have no familial affiliation whatsoever.
There is also the question of cows on the streets. Many people have asked me about this and it not as bad as I thought it was going to be. From the impressions people were giving me I thought there would be a heard of cows and a elephant around every corner but I only see cows about once a day or net even. The other day a woman was walking her cow in a torrential downpour and I was walking to the train station and the cow took a massive dump. I was not around to see what she did with it but others have told me that people use the crap as morter in the building of huts. There are little huts everywhere and I can't believe people live in them but Indians believe in reincarnation so this life is only one being and they are to just live this part of their life cycle without complaint.
The rains are another topic altogether but I can tell you it has been raining for the better portion of 4 days and I have been out in the rain a few times. There are so many different types of rain it is insane. By the time you walk 500m even with a rain coat you are drenched. It doesn't stop most people around here though so that is good.

Those are just a few differences and difficulties but I will come up with many more in days to come. If you have any comments leave them with me through email or facebook.