Sayings of India

It was exactly one week ago today, that I jumped from overnight train to cab to plane and landed in Dubai(more to come on that as well). I have missed India much more then I thought I would. From the close relationships with the groups, to the honking of horns lulling me to sleep every night as my feet freeze next to the AC and the rest of my body dies of heat.
I miss my Indian Mothers (more to come next post) my everything Mangos, and all the jewelry and saris both in shops and worn around the country.
I even miss all the security checks and weekly coke runs. But what I miss most is things people say to me, whether thats a passing auto, a friend in the slums, or a sign on the street.
They are all unique to India.
So without further ado here are some of my favorite sayings I heard around India..


"Keep that info undercovers"adding "S" to the end of words is popular, like mealS, undercoverS..

"Same same" said when they don't want to discuss something further

"Why this price??" When we told an auto driver what we would pay
"I make my own shade" -Urmi's response when we invited her to the shade of a tree. She was referring to the umbrella she carries around

"Sister!!" By all the lovely children of India

"Are you married or unmarried?" If you say unmarried but are wearing a toe ring they will ask why, as the toe ring is equivalent to a ring on the left hand ring finger 

"Why are you not married?"

"From which country you are??" Said exactly like that..

"From which state," I say Utah by California, 'oh california!'

"One photo please?" meaning, we will take 5 or 10 but with just one of us.. maybe

"What you do here?" Reply: we work with non-profits

-you work, how much you make?"

- what NGO you work for?

- what do you do?

"Where is your jewelry?" Since all women where jewelry all the time, I was often asked where my bling was.

"Why these shoes?" If wearing anything but slip on, flip-flop style sandals.

Che- actually chai but they say it so fast.
"End your affair with speed" Random signs on the roads (these are treasures!)

I am counting on the team to help me remember more of these fabulous sayings : ) 

Sometimes things go the other way

So being an avid traveller you are:

A. Flexible in schedule, food and accommodations 

B. 'Prepared' for the unexpected.

Mostly I am going with part B. in this post. Coming to India there are certain expectations both good and bad. You prepare as well as you can by loading up on pepto bismal, Tums, American chocolate, emergency cash, extra passport photos, and copies of both passport and visa. You take stock from your previous experiences and plan for the (it will not actually happen)worst based on those. However every with the all the planning every now and then something unexpected comes up.

In a third world country you are left to your own defenses, if your lucky, one of your fellow travelers may have a solution. From folklore, to old wives remedy, or a legit medicine. Don't knock it till you tried it. With 6 in house 'doctors'* something is bound to work, things take time, don't despair. Everything will look up eventually,

if all else fails... (Be warned though)

Take a deep breath, make sure everything in your life is set in order** and make it to a doctor,
or maybe 3, you know just for a common consensus.***

*note, in house doctors are not actually doctors, but rather my very knowledgeable and opinionated (in he best possie way) roommates.

**Satire humor. Things aren't so bad that setting your life in order is required. But it sure wouldn't hurt.

***good 3rd world practice especially for tourists**

Dreaming with a broken heart

Michale buble put it in words.

The past few weeks I have come realize how strongly I believe in the good in people and believe in their potential.

(A good friends persistence is inspirational, when everyone told her she couldn't finish school, she went and got a masters degree)

(Dance class at bridge camp. A school girls go for a second chance at education and life after falling behind in school, due to such things as child labor)

But with recent events in India and in Jerusalem, I have found that while I pray for the best, I am doing so with a broken heart. How can humanity be so cruel and closed minded towards one another. It literally brings me to tears. All of these people have family's, a future, hopes, aspirations and talents that could enrich our world if they were allowed to shine and develop.

(Summer camp in the slums at the beginning of the summer)

Yet so many lives are affected by just one act of hate and violence, be it large scale or small (as in snubbing someone, gossiping, or racism and bigotry)

(Working with boys from sporti who are disadvantaged, also giving them a second chance. We are all different but we all need love)

I realize I am just one person, and in the worlds view a nobody. I have found myself questioning what the heck am I doing in India. There is so much that needs help, and understanding and can our little team of 7 really make a difference in a short 4 months???

I had an incredible opportunity this last week to go to the US embassy in Delhi and rub shoulders with the expats. In one conversation my companion was surprised that we came out to India on our own, as well as paid to be here and work for free. He genuinely asked if I thought we could make a difference, as he was skeptical of the viewpoint I have taken believing in people. 

(Taught the whole bus a hand trick, I am now their favorite person, in return they taught me to face curiosity with courage)

Long ago I made the decision to leave people better then when I found them. Perhaps the way we will find peace on earth is BY having goodwill towards all those we meet.

(Celebrating differences at a cinco de mayo party)

Be it someone we see everyday, or someone we meet upon a journey, does it really matter who??

Sometimes all it requires is a smile to someone who catches eyes with you. 

(Princess of sporti, she has stolen all our hearts with her smile)

Or a hello to those standing alone. So simple, yet it takes such courage to get out of our comfort zone, it's time for us to be brave and live up to our calling as human beings. So yes I do have optimistic views, hopes and dreams. But if I don't reach for those high goals, I'll never get very far down the road I travel. So my answer to my expat friend at the embassy was a firm YES!

(Ann, one of our amazing country directors in India)

People make a difference in lives all the time. Maybe not on a huge scale or in one single moment. Maybe the world doesn't recognize us. But everytime we encounter someone we leave them and  a different person, and walk away different as well. 

(Trip to Mexico with people who were once strangers, but now are good friends all via a smile)

How will we proceed from here, from this moment and from this day? 

Heart to all

Ashley

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.

What is India like??? Part Adventures in Food

Ok so India is known for all it's spices, right?? And you would think being enthralled with India for so long I would have had Indian food in the states.

However truth be told, I had my first bite of Indian food about 2 months before I left, at a delicious place in American Fork, Utah.

Even then I had no trouble getting non-spicy food since English is the spoken language. I have heard many a time how spicy curry is, but that never registered with me, and now I am living in a furnace, both from the high temperatures and from a place that specializes in spicy food!! (How this slipped by me, I'll never know) 

So upon arrival I had my first shock & spice initiation at Golden Crown in Secunderbad, Telengana, India. 

Every dish set my mouth ablaze, similar to the intensity of a forest fire, no joke. So I dedicate this post to all you non-spice lovers. Especially my new roommate Averil, may the gods smile upon you. 

1. India has spicy food to rival any country

2. Hyderabad is know to be the spiciest city in India

3. When ordering food, point to what you want and say "no spice"

4. The waiter may reply not possible

5. At which point you ask what dish has no spice 

6. If your lucky they will guide you to a 'safe' option

7. Always order something to tone down the spice, Butter Naan is a favorite, Milk shakes are fairly effective as well. Rice won't be enough. Let me repeat, rice is not enough to cool down your mouth to the point where you can remember how to breathe

8. You may be tricked into believing 'no spice' means exactly that. WRONG!

No spice means as little spice as possible, i.e. I only want to use a garden hose to put out the fire and not call in the army reserves for emergency backup.

9. People will say "just try a little spicer each time to condition yourself." (I personally have found that a huge lie) Proceed at own risk.

10. When ordering non-spicy food, you will get looks, keep your chin up. 

11. If your at someones home, eat extremely slow as to prevent damage. One spicy bite at a time, left to cool will make the meal bearable. Do not try to eat it all quickly and get it over with. YOU WILL DIE

12. Become used to bland looking dishes. Bland colors=little spice, pretty colorful dishes=a death wish (except this one served on a mango leaf with fresh vegetables (veggies were a risky move))

13. Band together with your fellow non-spice eaters

14. When you ask how spicy a dish is, and your spice-eaters respond with a 3, know that it is often still to spicy!!

15. On the upside, India knows how to do dairy and carbs. Which happens to be most of my sustenance abroad.

16. Desserts are to be examined carefully as well. Most are safe, but every now and  then something pops up...

17. Best of luck, it's a crazed world out there! See you on the other side. Peace! 

Half way there

It was a bitter sweet moment when I realized I am on the downhill portion of this adventure. Days have started blurring together, all my weekends are planned out and new projects have started.

When did days start going by so quickly, I swear I just got here!!

There are things I'm tired of and can't wait to have the American version once again. Like food, when you don't eat spicy food, you eat a lot of the same stuff, and even then it's a bit spicy. 

I love to be an adventurous eater, but that is a bit limiting here since the menu is just words on a page to me,  and I can't keep all the dishes straight. (Whether the bread is fried in oil or cooked like a tortilla, is just the beginning) 

The constant honking. It literally never stops. It slows down at night but it's still there.

My door to the outside that doesn't close all the way.

Not enough vegetables. ( but on the upside plenty of delicious fruit)

People jacking up the price because I'm white and a foreigner.

A shower that will be whatever temperature it decides to be. 

The power outages don't bother me, until it is so hot you can't function. Mostly we turn a couple flashlights on and do shadow puppets or dance party's. 

All in all I am so grateful to have so many opportunities in America and a good life.

However those "frustrating" things are just small droplets in a lake compared to how much I love India, and how gratefull I am for this experience. I will truly miss India. Mostly of the time when things go awry you laugh and move on, as there is little else to do. This summer has opened my eyes to a whole new category of blessings.

In India I found parts of me I didn't know were missing. The small children helped fill a crater in my heart, with how loving and grateful they are just to learn a new song.

The lady on the bus who taught me the gift of sharing, after teaching her a hand trick, she traded me one of her bangles.

All those who offer us a cool place to sit as we wait. The many, many people who showed me strength and hope as they did their best to make a better life while staying generous to those around.

I learned over and over again how well we can communicate the basics and the 'important' things just thru hand motions.

I have loved all the selfies we take (especially as cram into one vehicle clearly to small to fit us all)

The diversity in religion; Christian, Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist are the dominate religions here.

I love the chalk drawings that double as a lovely door mat and a blessing

l  love going into the slums and seeing family's running the store, and then their  curiosity in the "white strangers"

 I love the colors that surround me between saree's and fruit carts

Having 9 "in house doctors' (aka the team) deciding how to treat illnesses, wounds and encounters, to prevent seeing a questionable doctor

Most of all I will miss the heart of these people. Here's to halfway!! 

What is India like??? Part. Road safety 101

Do you remember the old school game of Frogger? The one where you have to get the frog across the road full of traffic without getting hit?? That is India in a nutshell.

There are very few traffic lights, and even fewer stop signs. So people cross whenever they want to, or turn in the middle of traffic. We are learning the unspoken rules here of traffic*.

*most important is honking etiquette

1. Honk to pass

2. Honk when turning

3. Honk when going around a corner

4. Honk when coming up on something moving slower then you

5. Honk when pulling over

6. Honk when a bus (or truck, or car, or motorcycle or scooter) is holding up traffic

7. When driving signal with hands, even if you have a working turn signal

8. Drive mostly on the left side of road 

9. Pass others at pleasure

10.Watch out for pedestrians who cross at will (aka everyone) 

11. Watch out for moving vehicles who decide to drive on shoulder of the wrong side of the road. 

12. Watch out for moving vehicles who decide to turn into the flow of traffic to cross the street

13. If you are a pedestrian make sure to hold out your hand, no higher then hip level, to 'stop' traffic as you cross the road

14. Walk at leisure, but with confidence, across said road

15. Each type of vehicle has a different horn, listen and act accordingly

16. Hope on/off the bus ASAP as they don't always make a full and complete stop. 

17. When in doubt follow a native, or better yet ask one for help and they will guide you all the way across (and possibly to your destination) if your lucky. 

18. As a tourist when crossing watch out for autos who will stop just in front of you at the perfect moment just to ask you if you want a ride, and end up messing with your plan for crossing the road. 

19. Once you cross half way (to the median) make sure to stand directly in the middle (or if your a tourist, stand on the median blocks) to assure you're not to far in either lane.

20. Don't forget to watch out for number one(you) and the open trenches on the sides of the road.

21. Honk, when annoyed, for a very long time

22. Honk, if your a bus coming upon a bus stop

23. Honk whenever you see a foreigner

24. Honk when you come upon someone walking along the side of the road

There are many hidden rules we are still discovering. Each place has there own spin on the rules. Be on your toes and you'll be just fine. 

Keep tuned more to come on.... (drumroll please) our Himalayan adventure!!