* Every corner has a coffee shop… They don’t open until 10 am.
* Honking means: “I’m coming, watch out.” Or, “I wish the light were green.” “The light turned green .05 seconds ago.” “I’m passing you.” “You’re passing me.” Or, “It’s #$%%& hot.” “It’s Friday.”
* A motorcycle is transportation for a family of 4.
* Cars have right of way over auto-rickshaws. They have right of way over motorcycles. Motorcycles are small enough to dart around and claim right of way in short bursts. Then comes bicycles, then pedestrians. I haven’t figured out where buses fit in. They’re like whales – slow and big, so everyone gets out of the way when they’re moving, but they’re so slow that all the other vehicles dart around them. Cows are above everything, even pedestrians. You can be arrested for moving a cow off the road.
* Crossing the street: remember Frogger?
* Switches turn on electrical sockets.
* A shrug means yes. And no. People are incredibly expressive with neck movements. I don’t think I could describe it in words. It’s pretty incredible.
* You’ve heard of ‘Spanglish’… In Delhi most people talk ‘Hinglish’
* The crickets here are louder than those in the US. They live inside, come out at night and they just might be invisible.
* Chai (tea with milk, sugar and spices) is served twice a day at work. Several times a week someone gives the office-manager money to go buy some sweets at Evergreen, a local restaurant and ‘sweeterie’ and pass them around with the tea.
* At work, every office, seating anywhere from 1-6 people, has a separate bathroom (no lines, ladies!). There is toilet paper, but I’m told most people prefer the splash-clean method for which there is a bucket next to every toilet.
* Toilet paper: $4 for a 4-pack
* Gum: $2.50 for a pack of Trident
* Soy sauce: $7.50 for a regular sized bottle of Kikkoman.
* Bag of HERR’S Pretzels: ready for this? $12.00!!
* Kilo of Mangoes (about 6): $0.50
* Watermelon: $1
* 20 minute auto-rickshaw ride: $1.50
* Kilo of Potatoes: $0.25
* Latte at Coffee Day, the most prevalent coffee store: $1 for a regular, $1.50 for a large which is exactly the same size if you get it to go.
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