typical day...

So I just thought I'd run through a typical day for you. This morning I decided to go down to Cafe Coffee Day (our local version of Starbucks... it's close, yet so far away!). So I got ready, walked down my street and luckily caught an auto driving by. I told him where I wanted to go, Commercial Street, and he said, "ok" and miracles of all miracles he agreed upon meter. You see meter is what they're supposed to go by, it's the law, but typically they want to barter or charge more. So I'm riding in the auto and he keeps talking about all these different places to go shopping... No thank you! I just want to go to Commercial Street. But there are cheaper things on MG Road, or I can take you to this Emporium. NO, Commercial Street. The entire 30 minute ride we had this conversation, including when we rode by the Emporium where I could get really nice handbags... NO! Commercial Street!
So finally I get to Commercial Street. There's a 99 Rupees store, which is actually $2.50, and although the item might be 99 rs. the tax added on makes it 115 rs. But they had Macaroni and Cheese, other pasta things, Campbell's Tomato soup! I spent too much money, but hey, it's comfort food right!
Next I headed to Cafe Coffee Day. It was fairly quiet, so I picked a couch off by itself. It was a bit warm in there, but ok. Well the minute I sit down they decided it was time to turn the tv on, which of course was just right above my head. There is already background music playing, but we needed extra noise, so we have the tv volume full blast too. Interesting songs came on while I was in there, Ace of Base, but probably the funniest is when I heard.... "I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy..." I never get over songs played here! I ordered my drink and a muffin, but they forgot the muffin forever. I was studying some stuff, and just chilled for a while.
My favorite questions are "What is your good name?" ... what is a good name? Aren't all names good? I mean if it's your name you certainly think it's good, right? And next is "You are from which place?" I just love the way it's worded.
So I shopped around some. This included buying 2 wrap around skirts that are wayyy cute! After the purchase I told the guy "thank you" in his language, and his face lit up like a Christmas tree! The locals love it when you speak their language! But then finally decided it was time to come home. Alas, this meant it was time to find an auto to go home!
The first one agreed to go to my place, so I got in, and said, "Meter?" his answer... "Meter plus 20." No! Why plus 20? No, plus nothing! His answer was "Because it is Sunday." So dumb! I got out and walked to get another auto, meanwhile this auto driver hollers to all his friends to say where I wanted to go, thus telling on me, so none of them wanted to take me. Fine! I walked down the street, and found other autos. Their price started at 200, meter wasn't even an option, the very most this should cost is about 70... so one guy agreed to 80 and I was so tired and ready to come home, so I agreed. On the way home in this auto there were a few things that happened that I count as everyday here, but aren't normal to my former standards. We have traffic lights here, and surprisingly in my city people actually stop and obey the rules (for the most part). Sometimes while you're stopped at a traffic light different people come around selling things... newspaper, pillows... ohh! or really bright flashlights that they shine in your face (which is especially fun at night!)... Q-tips (which rumor is they get them from hospitals, wash the dirty ones, and sell them... gross diseases!)... or just plain beggars... little kids doing acrobatics, or just moms with babies propped on their hips asking for money.
A new thing I saw today on my ride home... I heard this loud POP! and I looked over... an auto had just popped his tire, so he was pulling over.

And thus is a typical day... =)