Day 45-Wednesday 18th August 2010

Despite what people might think about loosing weight when coming to India I can say even with my constitution that I have found this not to be the case. Yes I have had some tummy disagreements but nothing that has caused any weight loss. In fact, I think I have put it on! I am a little disappointed with myself as I thought this might be the perfect opportunity to get super fit and healthy and even convert to being a vegetarian but I seem to have failed. I have got spots or pimples however you wish to refer to them-it's time for some action!

So, tomorrow I am going to a Yoga class, healthy body and mind and all that jazz! I can't say that I am a huge fan of it but here seems as good a place as any to give it another shot. The lady I spoke to on the phone seems super nice and the place is only a five minute walk away. I have not opted for the early bird session at 06h00 but for the slightly later class at 10h30.

Finally finished my book called Two States about a young Indian couple who fall in love at university. If you are planning on reading it maybe skip the next little bit.

The boy is from the North and the Girl is from the South so its about a clash of the families when they announce that they want to get married. It's quite a good way to explore the different cultures here and it its refreshing that it all ends well. There is one section when Krish and Ananya go to one of krish's cousins wedding and the wedding is put hold because the girl's family have not bought an expensive enough car for the groom. The girl's family have to dash about madly gathering all the gold they can from the guests as a sort of down payment.

Not sure if this does still happen, maybe it does in some families but the weddings here do seem to be super elaborate. I am also judging that by the amazingly beautiful wedding invitation that we received, well MT received at work. Its hand made paper in red with gold patterns, very beautiful and I have to say I did get cross with MT when he sat on it and squashed it!

The wedding is on Sunday so it will be fascinating to see. Not sure what to wear. If I go dressed like an Indian lady I think I will look silly, well feel uncomfortable. I think I may just do a fusion of east meets west and maybe wear my pink dress with some leggings and a pink duppata (scarf). I think that will work.

MT does not have a suit here but then he did buy his wedding suit on the day of our wedding in Las vegas! Oh and when we went to our friend's wedding in Egypt we also had to go to an Egyptian department store to buy something for him to wear. So why not throw an Indian one into the equation! Its a little stressful as you might imagine especially on the day you are getting married or attending a wedding but things always seems to work out and he always looks really quite nice! Why can't I do that?!

Ventured up Whitefield Road on Monday to the travel agent. It's the first time I have walked that way since the bag and dog incident last week but I can report I walked there and back with no problem and even negotiated two duppatas in the local shop for 200INR. One's the pink one I will wear to the wedding. Also walked past the spot that always smells so gross and it spelled just the heaving way I remember it with a hint of fish-yuck, yuck, yuck!

Went to Herbs and Spices for dinner last night. I had this fish curry which was a bad, bad idea as it reminded me of the fishy smell on Whitefield Road and had a bad tummy when we got home. Also had confusion as to whether we needed roti or rice. I thought we had settled on a few rotis and some rice but we seemed to end up with far too many rotis and no rice at all! Should have known that when the whole meal began with confusion over the wine that it would go this way.

But on the flip side was a pleasant evening with MT, Muhan and Olivier. We tried to work out why China is so rich and came up with a few suggestions but not one real concrete answer. So if anyone reading this has the answer then please post your comments.

Still on the amazement front here in India, I am amazed at how few road accidents I have seen. There are not really any clear road markings, there seems to be no speed restrictions and everyone just seems to drive a bit crazily and beep their horns all the time. And on top of this there are the cows and stray dogs to watch out for.

There is no way I would drive here. Kumar asked me if I would like to try and I said never! Which reminds me that once back in the States I will actually be allowed to go for my driving license now that I have a different visa. Mind you, can't say I am all that enthralled by the prospect of driving in LA. It always seems to be bumper to bumper!

You know, I still can't get over that you never see two women in the same sari or even close. I always hesitate about buying clothes with patterns because I would not want to go out and have the same on as someone else. That certainly is not a problem here. Today I saw a lady in a turquoise and pink sari and my it was so beautiful. I was wondering too, when did Indian women first start wearing saris, how did it come about that they always wear such happy colors? I know sari literally means strip of cloth but I feel I need to do a little investigating now. Maybe I will report back later?

Oh gosh, I nearly forgot too the monkey was here! I went to get the washing from the machine, its on the little balcony out the back and as I looked to my right there it was just sitting there watching me. We sort of looked at each other, I am sure we made eye contact, I grabbed the washing because it has been known to pee on peoples' things and ran inside. Boy it made me jump! I watched it for a moment through the door making sure it was firmly closed as I have been told it can open them, it had a little scratch and then disappeared over the wall. I have no idea how it managed to climb up elven floors but it did! Maybe I should name it Spidermonkey!!!