You Know You're Getting Used to India When . . .

Yep, it's been over a year since we started living here and that realization has left me thinking a lot about our time here.  I'm realizing that there are some things that I'm really getting used to that were a shock to me when I moved here.  So, today, I'm going to wrack my brain and come up the things that may shock your system if you've never set foot in India, but which have become common-place to us.

• TRAFFIC!  Driving on the left, swerving around various obstacles (bikes, scooters, motorcycles, cars, trucks, semis, rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, tractors, bull-carts, horse-carts, camel-carts, cows, dogs, small children, potholes, monsoon flood waters, etc.)  All of these things share the road -- or fight for the road -- or handle the road in one way or another.  The biggest rules seem to be:
• Drive on the left.  Unless people in front of you are going too slow or there's a traffic jam.  Then, move to the right and flash your lights so oncoming traffic knows you're coming straight at them.
• Think 4 steps ahead.  Always look down the road.  Chris calls this 'Matrix Driving'.
• At intersections, slow down, but never stop!  If you stop, you'll never make it through.  Trust that others see you and keep moving!  This works when crossing streets on foot, too.
• Whatever vehicle is the biggest gets whatever it wants.  Hey, family on a bicycle, don't mess with that bus!
• Honking is acceptable at all times.  Which leads to the next point . . .
• HONKING!  Not just when a cow steps into traffic, but at all times, in all places, for all reasons.  A honk can mean:
• You're going too slow
• Move over so I can pass you
• I'm coming up on this intersection, is anyone else there?
• Get out of the way, pedestrian with no brains!
• Keep doing exactly what you're doing -- I'm coming
• Or, hey! I'm 16 and just got my first motorcycle!  I'm driving way too fast with 3 of my friends hanging on behind me!
• POO!  I remember the first few weeks of our time here, Jed would ask, "Daddy, why is there so much poo in India?"  Yes, it happens.  There seems to be quite a bit all around.  What with the animals working on the roads, the animals herded on the roads, and the stray animals wandering on the roads, it's hard to miss.
• PEOPLE!  I can remember growing up on a farm.  I can remember going on a 2 mile walk and never coming across another soul.  Here I can't step out of my apartment building without seeing at least 10 people at any given time of day.  I will never be the only person in the store.  I will never be the only person on the street.  I will never be the only person on the bus.  I will never be alone.
• HEAT!  For at least 8 months of the year, it is what I would call uncomfortably hot.  4 of those months I would have called 'unbearable' before I moved here.  Lately, if it doesn't get above 95 degrees, I think "Wow, what a lovely spring day!"
• SPICE!  Love it!  I remember being back in the States and craving Indian food.  I'd even pay exorbitant prices at a not-so-delicious restaurant just to sample those combinations of curry.  Now, we can get enough amazing, mouth-watering goodness to feed our family for 2 meals for about $2.  Or, anytime we are invited into someone's home, we get it for free!
• RICKSHAWS!  I don't drive here.  We don't have a car.  I would never drive a scooter here (as anyone who as experienced me on a bike can imagine).  But, I can go out my door and walk down the road a short way and pick up a rickshaw for less than a dollar to take me anywhere in the city.  Yes, it's lacking in comfort, but you can't beat it for convenience.  These tough guys (some in their low teens!) bike people around all day in the sun, rain, and cold.  Even though I'm getting used the this mode of transportation, I am still amazed by these guys' resilience.

So, that's a few to get us started.  I might pick this post up again.  I could probably go on for a few more days about all the differences that are becoming normal for me.  I guess I'm just thankful that it truly is getting more normal.  I'm still a newbie.  There's a lot more for me to learn and get comfortable with.  There are probably some things that I never will quite get used to.  I'll keep you posted.

Just a couple transport options hanging around . . . with a goat . . . no big deal.