Questions From America

So, some of the students at the school where I work sent me some awesome questions. I will try to give some quick answers here. I love getting questions, so thank you, Snoqualmie class!


1. Did you eat any bugs?
I don't think so. If I have it has been completely accidentally. I will point out that when factories make the food we eat, sometimes bugs get mooshed up in the food, so, in fact, we probably have all eaten bugs. However, I have not deliberately eaten any bugs on purpose.

2. What is the most interesting thing you have eaten so far?
Everything is interesting! The goat curry from last night was amazing, and most people in the U.S. haven't eaten a lot of goat. I've had it before, though. One thing I did try last night for the first time, though, was betelnut. After dinner, people don't eat mints to sweeten their breath. They eat saunf (candied fennel seeds--like I did on the plane), suck on sugar crystals, and chew betelnut. It's very hard and crunchy, like a nutshell, and tastes spicy, sort of like cinnamon or cloves. The tender coconut from my first outing was wonderful, too. Most of us are used to dried, sweetened coconut, and haven't had the real thing. Oh, and as I said before, fried egg dosas are to die for. I have done my best to try everything I have been offered. I like almost everything I've tried.

3. How has the weather been aside from today's rain?
It has rained dome of the time, but usually it is just hot and muggy. Sometimes it's cloudy and overcast, but yesterday the sun came out and it was really bright and beautiful (and HOT!) The actual temperatures are in the upper eighties and lower nineties, but the humidity makes it seem hotter. In a few days, we will be going to Bangalore. It's a little cooler there.

4. Why do Indians wear red dots on their foreheads?
Indians wear the marks on their foreheads for a few reasons. First of all, Hindus believe that our bodies have energy centers in different parts of the body, centered up and down on the spine. One of these energy centers, or chakras, is located on the forehead between the eyebrows. This chakra, called the ajna chakra, is the center of spirituality. So, upon going to temple, saying morning prayers, or receiving the blessings of a priest or one's parents, a person will get the red dot. The dot is called a tilak, or it is sometimes called kumkum (that is what the red powder that is used is called.) Also, the kind I wear sometimes is called a bindi. That is a sticker that some women wear in the same spot, and it can come in lots of colors. Hindu women wear the tilak or bindi to show their marital status. Traditionally, married women wear a red dot, and unmarried women wear a small black dot. The size of the dot may be related to caste (caste is another post entirely, but let's just say it's sort of like "social standing") I was surprised to find out that the same bindi can be used over and over for a long time. She doesn't wear it anymore, but Anni has a bindi she's had since she was your age...and she's my age now!

5. How is your jetlag holding up?
Thanks for asking. I really didn't have any jet lag after I finally went to sleep the first day I arrived here. I get up at about 8 or 8:30 a.m. every day, and go to sleep between 10 and 11 p.m. I'm much more worried about my jet lag when I come back.

6. What is the conversion of Dollars to Rupees?
It changes every day, but right now it's between 45 rupees to the dollar and 47 rupees to the dollar. It may also change depending on whether your bank charges fees for the conversion and such. Today my exchange converter tells me it is 46.58 rupees to the dollar. I'll tell you, it feels weird to be carrying bills in my purse that say "1,000" on them. I'm really not that rich. :)

7. We think you should try the ice cream!
I tried some last night, and it was delicious! 

8. Where will you go next?
I'm not exactly sure what the plan is for the day, but I'm open to anything. I'd really like to go to another temple, and I still have to buy bangles. My wallet is feeling a little thin again, though, so I'll have to hit up Raja for more money. (It's my money, it's just in his bank.) 


9. How does the car/driver situation work? Are they taxis and you have to pay or is that free there?
There are companies (a lot like taxi companies) where you can hire a car and driver for a day, a week, or longer. We've had the same driver, Balaji, for the whole week. Anni was the one who arranged it, so I assume she paid the bill. I'm not sure whether she pays daily, weekly, or only at the end of the whole trip.  I know that the fee includes lunch money for Balaji, but sometimes when you hire a driver, that's extra. Since he has to wait around for you while you shop or sightsee, or whatever, it's nice to make sure he has money to have something to eat and drink. Also, if you go somewhere with paid parking, you have to pay the parking fee.


Auto-rickshaws are like taxis (they are even mosly yellow), which you hail for short rides. They have meters like U.S. taxis, but they are usually broken or sometimes rigged to cheat you (though I've never seen one even on since I've been here.) Usually, you just negotiate a price up front. You have to bargain, though, because the driver will always try to charge you a lot, so he can make more money. Haggling is a way of life, here, even in some stores.


10. Also how to pronounce Raja? Is the 'J' silent?
Nope, you pronounce the J. It's like rah-jah. It means "Prince" or "King" and it's an endearment. I call my guy "Raja" because he likes the good things in life, like I do. Maybe that's why we like each other. 


11. Do they keep goldfish as pets there in India?
I think they do. I've only seen one fish tank here, and it was in a restaurant, but I'm pretty sure it happens.

12. Also do they eat seafood in India like we do in the states?
Yes! There are a lot of shrimp and fish dishes here. I haven't seen the variety of seafood like we have in the Pacific Northwest (we are very spoiled to live in a place with such amazing seafood), but many parts of India are coastal, and are used to eating lots of fish. 

13. Have you been able to stay healthy so far?
Yes, thank you. I have been taking my allergy and asthma medication, which is good because of all the pollution in the air, and I have also been taking my Melarone, which is my anti-malaria pills. However, I haven't really been bitten by any mosquitoes. Maybe my blood isn't spicy enough for them. Other than that I am feeling just fine, if a little wilted from the heat. I don't know what I'll do if I ever visit in June, when it gets up to over 100*F.


Thanks for the great questions. I hope I answered them well enough. Feel free to ask more at any time. I'll post some photos/video soon. 


Until then, be good!