Adventures in India: part surprising delights

Coming to India, I have found many surprising cultural norms, food and curiosities. Here are a few of my favorites

Kulfi- simlar to ice cream, but better especially pistacio

Mango shakes- made with fresh delicious mangos

Fig juice- who would have thought

Fridges that sing when you leave them open to long.. Favorite songs are jingle bells

Good bargains (if your in for haggling)

Motorcycles that fit a family of 5 (comfortably?)

Or motorcycles that have two men carrying a load aka glass windows, computer boxes... There is nothing they can't carry

Ps The ladies sit sideways and don't always hold on

Fruit sellers with a variety of colorful products, some will let you sample

Waiters at dinner always put the food on your plate, no need to waste energy doing it yourself

Warm water and lemon for washing after eating as traditionally people eat with their hands

Delicious fennel and digestives for after a meal

Meals is a common thing, it is like a sampler but unlimited, and comes with dessert *dont plan on dessert unless it is specified in the meals menu.

Adding an "S" to the end of words is very surprising. ie. Meals, undercovers..

Sometimes what you order is misheard or just not available

ie when ordering a mango shake and they hear dosa instead

Or ordering chocolate shake only to find out the guy only makes mango shakes 

Delicious roasted corn on the street

Pedestrians, cows, dogs, motorcycles autos, cars and buses (or in some cities camels and elephants are added in thre mix) all weaving in and out of each other with no kind of order, at first glance.

Using turn signals to let others know they may pass you.

Joy at seeing geckos to keep bugs away. 

Walking outside is like taking a shower from all the humidity, your instantly wet yet again.

Strands of jasmine flowers strung together to place in your hair(these smell divine!)

Removing shoes outside of homes, temples and stores, upscale and small businesses, I love walking barefoot!!

Shoes are not a necessity here, people either don't wear them or as soon as they sit down they remove them (like in church,or  driving busses, flip flops tend to be the norm here).

Often people (shopkeepers or families or random acquaintances on the street) will ask if you've eaten, or about your family. 

Offerings of water or soda at stores

Sometimes they ask you if you would like a Coke and bring out diet Pepsi instead, and act like it's normal.

Talking in conspiracy fashion with shop keepers to keep other customers from knowing your good deal.

Random people who step in to prevent the Americans from being ripped off. 

Everyone loves using English, it usually 

goes "hello, how are you? Bye" or sometimes "hello what country are you from? Bye" sometimes they skip the hello and bye part and chase us down just to know what country we are from.

I have become an expert in shaking hands. It's a thing to do when you are fair skinned people.

Being told you are beautiful or handsome, even on your worst day.

All the woman dress classy, with jewlery. I have not seen one woman or girl, without some type of bling. 

Finding a couple who had an arranged marriage, love each other and tease one another. 

Restaurants come veg & non veg, or pure veg.

Henna designs, especially during marriage season.