I composed this list for the American Women's Association Welcome Luncheon and thought I'd share it with ya'll in hopes that it will entice you to come visit.
My 30 Favorite Things About Life in Delhi:
Riding a bicycle rickshaw anywhere
Ordering just about anything by phone and having it delivered to my home on a bicycle
Riding with my kids in the back seat while the driver braves the traffic
Changing all my cushion covers every few months, thanks to Cotton & Silk
Meeting people from all over the world
Calling the doctor and he answers the phone directly
It’s cliché, but the Taj Mahal is spectacular
Overnight train travel—what a great idea, and even do-able with kids (especially train-loving boys).
Playing Holi—I am still trying to get the color out of my flip flops and underwear!
Learning to be more patient. Realizing that “kal” means yesterday and tomorrow . . .
Climbing on top of a building in Old Delhi and watching all the kites flying, the people at the mosque, and all the other busyness below
I never cease to get tickled when I see an elephant, a monkey, a cow, a camel strolling down the road with the masses of humanity
Taking walks in the early morning and seeing this strange world wake up--everything from bathing in the alleys and the newspaper man on a bicycle, to groups of old men doing yoga or philosophizing in the park.
Buying a bunch of neat stuff and not stressing about it because it didn’t cost too much.
Fresh & cheap fruits, vegetables & flowers. Mangoes. Okra. Lilies. Ohkla Vegetable Market is an experience not to be missed—I walked away with a bag of produce I could barely carry for Rs. 100!
The brilliant colors of the women in their saris—even the women working on the roads carrying bowls of concrete on their heads.
Having to rely on people (instead of computers, phone books, the Internet, machines, dishwashers, etc.) to get information or get anything done. It’s more complex, but it leaves me feeling much more connected to humanity.
Rajasthani music, dancing, and those great hats the men wear on their heads.
Neemrana Fort is fabulous! You could spend hours exploring its maze-like structure, not to mention the beautiful pool and great food, and going to the Stepwell on a camel cart.
The Independence Day Parade—a bit surreal with all the weaponry and elaborate floats for every state, but spectacular!
Osian Camel Camp in Rajasthan. We took the overnight train there. Highlights were the evening entertainment, the luxurious tents, the gorgeous pool on the top level, riding the camels and driving down the sand dune in a jeep at an almost-vertical angle.
India Gate and it’s carnival-like atmosphere.
The India Gate Children’s Park is great—lots of shade and plenty of clean play equipment. If you get hot, go stand by the fountain and enjoy the mists.
Eating Indian food with my hands and feeling my mouth warm and tingly with the spicy, earthy flavors.
Being close enough to poverty every day to feel uncomfortable enough in my comparative wealth to not take it for granted.
Not having daylight savings time.
Having someone to clean my toilets and fold my laundry.
Geckos.
Mastering the art of the head bobble (and learning to distinguish what it means in different situations!).
The religious fervor everywhere and embracing of everyone else’s religions. Every day seems to be some sort of religious holiday and we all celebrate them despite our religious leanings.
I've been busily setting things up to do some Musikgarten classes again. It's been lots of work to set things up, but people are really excited about it around here because there's not really anything like it around in this city of a gazillion people. I have now taught four demo classes and after I teach I am exhausted but almost giddy with excitement. I love to teach, I love to teach music this way, and I'm so energized by the kids. It's fun also to be doing it with Russell and Isaac and see the concepts sink in so quickly and to bring more music into our home. I even set up a website so people can get information easily. The egghead in me was so happy doing that little bit of web programming. Check it out at www.merindacutler.com.
Russell is now officially 100% potty trained. Hooray! He goes to the potty by himself and narrates the whole thing for anyone in the house to hear ("I'm going to go potty now!" and "Did you hear that plop?") and wipes, washes hands, and gets all dressed again by himself. Miraculous. It warms my heart every time he does it. I think the trash boy is feeling pretty happy too that he now only has to deal with 1/2 the diapers he did before (yes, he's taking them now that we separate them, and we give him a little bribe every once in a while!).
Russell goes to the Busy Bees preschool now at the British High Commission and loves it. They have loads of great toys they bring out in waves and they just play and play all morning. The Brits are a bit stiff and stand-offish (Russell calls his teachers his "guard teachers" for some reason), so that's a fun cultural experience. He says his new best friend is Ellie--Tom's sister who also attends preschool at Busy Bees. He is thrilled to have his own friends now and a school to chat about at the dinner table. And chat he does. He is so full of joy and kindness. He and Graham are starting to really play together and it's fun to see.
