I have already posted about things I don’t like in India, things that have shocked me and have been very hard to adjust to. So in the spirit of being thankful, here are things I do like.
1. The people here are amazing! I have never experienced such a gracious staff of servers than I have at the hotel. I feel like a celebrity every day when I go down for breakfast. Each morning they put their hands together like you would if you were praying, gently bow and greet me with “Namaste” or “Good Morning.” It’s a lovely way to start the day. Even out site seeing they are sweet, helpful and full of smiles. They are a hardy and resourceful bunch of people. They can carry anything on a bicycle or motorcycle! I have seen a motorcycle loaded with two tiny babies and three adults! Typically, the women ride side saddle. I don’t know how they do it without falling off! I suddenly feel like a total wimp!
2. The food! I’ve mentioned it before but I must mention it again! I have no idea what I’m eating most of the time but it’s all delicious! My favorite so far is butter chicken, lamb hamburgers and chicken masala. Below is a picture of my typical breakfast. Yummy!
3. Coffee and tea! I get all the free cappuccinos, lattes and tea I want at our office! Our client has coffee machines in every corner, and the coffee is delicious, not like a typical machine at 7-11.
4. The kids. Kids are cute everywhere, but they are extra cute in India. Whether they are dolled up in traditional garments or beggars on the street, they pull my heart strings every time.
5. The colors. India is very colorful! Flowers, fresh fruits and veggies, festivals, lights and their bright Indian clothing makes for a very colorful environment! I think it’s time for me to break out of my black and neutral clothes and get a little more colorful!
- Shopping: Shopping for handicrafts in India is a lot of fun and the prices are amazing! They are so amazing in fact that I started to export some of them back home (see www.khajanahandicrafts.com). You can buy quality handmade leather goods, beautiful gold and silver jewelry, colorful silk textiles, hookahs, intricate wooden items and so much more!
Handicraft store in Rishikesh India
- The mountains: Even though I am not a fan of Delhi, my trips to the Himalaya Mountains have shown me breathtakingly beautiful scenery and adventures that are beyond words, even for this writer.
Chandra Taal India, in the Himalaya Mountains. Elevation 14,000 feet
- Amusing things on the roads: Every day is an adventure here. I see the most fascinating things when we drive around. I’ve seen pigs mating in the middle of the street, camels pulling carts, herds of cows wandering through, dump trucks full of construction workers, buses with people riding on the top and even a monkey in a dress riding on the back of a motorcycle. It is constant entertainment and there is never a dull moment!