Saturday, August 25, 2012

Everything I can write in 20 minutes

unavoidable camel ride
Amusing fact: The term shampoo is derived from an old Indian word, and yet in hotels that cater to Westerners today the little bottle in the shower is labeled hair cleanser.

Tedious: analyzing every single item we eat for potential contamination with droplets of tap water. Very insulting to certain waiters when you won't touch the complimentary fruit plate. I can see why, but I'm still not going to eat those pears.

Exhausting: oh, the hateful sales pitches. I've realized at great expense that the only way I'm going to come home financially solvent is to not walk into another Indian store. At the textiles co-op yesterday Owen kept whispering to me, "Please stop Mom. Dad is going to be so mad."

unavoidable shopping
He is right.

Strangely comforting: watching The Walking Dead with Owen at night makes me homesick!

Interesting: You never see an Indian woman's shoulders, but it is considered perfectly ok for women of advanced years to reveal their bellies. And they are clearly not doing a lot of crunches.

Jaisalmer street scene

 I think they look beautiful. Time's up.

15 comments:

  1. we renewed Soph's passport the other day and reminisced fondly about our travels in Asia...it is a wonderful thing for Owen. I remember how they gawked at us in China and every other person wanted their picture with Sophie. Looking forward to you having unlimited bandwith with which to write up this fabulous tale!

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  2. I eagerly follow your travels through india. Since I've read your whole blog last night (couldn't sleep) I'm now waiting for news and started re-reading Make the bread...Any chance you'll see someone making paneer? Just interested wether it's made like some recipes tell you. Anyway have a really great trip and try not to get seasick after riding camels. Love, Sanni

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  3. A camel ride!

    Does the concern about contamination weigh on you, and decrease your enjoyment of the food? I'm sure I would forget myself and eat something I shouldn't, and then ruin the rest of my vacation.

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  4. Ginny -- it is indeed a wonderful thing for Owen. He's practically euphoric.
    Susanne -- I wish I could watch someone cook. I saw the kitchen in a hut and a restaurant kitchen, but no one was making paneer.
    Layne -- I'm being very strict about what we eat, but within those parameters (only cooked vegetarian food, served hot) we're enjoying the meals thoroughly. Would be nice to eat all the cold, fresh chutneys and drink a lassi, but oh well.

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  5. Read the article in the New York Times of 8/28 titled "when the mango bites back". Interesting things about India, germs and what to do about food in another country. Good luck and don't swim in open water and keep your mouth closed during your shower!

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  6. Read the article in the New York Times of 8/28 titled "when the mango bites back". Interesting things about India, germs and what to do about food in another country. Good luck and don't swim in open water and keep your mouth closed during your shower!

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  7. Whoa, did I miss something? You were making an oven and a blueberry something, and now you are in India? I really think I missed the segue!

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  8. those fabrics look gorgeous! keep buying!

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  9. those fabrics look gorgeous! keep buying!

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  10. I can hardly wait for your full report on your trip! Hope you are having a marvelous time. It is certainly a memory that Owen will always have, a precious one. You are doing such great things for your kids in traveling with them.

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