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.

The Market

The Market which my family goes to is a typical open air market in Mumbai. My host grandfather goes there almost every day and he has taken me a couple of times. The market sells fish, lamb (mutton), chicken, fruits and vegtables. But this isn't your normal kind of supermarket which you get in Canada. The fish is sitting out dead on a piece of plywood in front of a lady who cuts it, and guts it in front of you. The second time we went we bought crabs which were live in a big basket and the crab lady would rip off the claws in front of you, needless to say she got bitten a few times. While watching a couple crabs ran away and tried to defend themselves against the stall keeps foot and hand combo attack That was a sight. The lamb is not sliced into nice chops or ribs, the carcas is hanging from strings and they are arranged in order as to which way it was killed according to religious practise. The chickens are not in a sealed package all deboned and skinned, they are alive waiting to be killed in front of you. You pick the live chicken you want and take home a dead bird. Then there are the vegtables which are not quite as out of the ordinary, they are sitting large stalls waiting to be picked up and taken home for a price which is bargained for. If you can imagine any of the sights and smells of China Town this is 100 times more overwhelming. The people are all trying to get your attention making noise of any sort and while this is happening you are watching your pockets for pickpockets, stepping over cats who are scavenging for fish remains, watching all the crows fly over head (who ocassionally steal the odd fish and may leak a little of whatever they have been standing in on you), and to add to all the visual and auditory senses there is the most pungent smell that I will never begin to comprehend what it is. Probably a combination of all the products with a dash of body odor and dead fish. When we do buy something the stall keep may give me a toothless grin or may just count the money. This is more overwhelming than Dadar station (which I will get into on another post) and most Mumbai streets.

Taj Hotel

The Pic I posted of the Taj Hotel and Palace was not very good resolution here is another one that is slightly better.

First Post From India

Hello All,

This is my first post from India. So far things are going well for my trip. My family is very nice it is composed of my host brother Abhishek, my host father Anil, my host mother Neeta and Anil's parents. Everyone I have actually met in India is very nice. People I have not met stare but I will get used to that. The city is very busy all the time and people are everywhere. I think I will learn to love the city and the people. There are traffic lights and lines but most lines are ignored and the streets are crazy. I hear about 50 horns every minute in rush hour. Crossing the street, as you can imagine, is crazy and like a near death experience. Whole families fit on Mopeds, it is really cool. I played cricket for the first time in the streets which was fun. I have not taken many photos but the photos are of the plane ride over Eastern Turkey and a few sights in Mumbai, including the Gateway of India and the Taj Mahal Hotel and Palace. More to come later!

Departure Date

My departure date is July 8th at ~5:50pm
connecting through Frankfurt.

Just a Test

I am just testing the how to put on videos and photos so here it goes. You do not need to acknowledge them.

Hello Everyone!

Hello everyone.
This blog is intended to give information of my experiences to family and friends while I am away in India.
I will attempt to update it every week but am not making any promises.