as with any place- right?!
Let me make a list (disclaimer: highly subjective per my experiences) of positives and negatives:
Positives:
-so many things within walking distance
When I lived at Gandhi Ashram area, I had grocery store, Vodafone recharge stop (must recharge those prepaid mobile phones!!), fun, cheap, and tasty eateries, cyber cafe, and of course, the lovely Gandhi Ashram-all within walking distance. I felt very safe, even if I was walking at night or in the dark. That leads me to my second positive thing----friendly family-like neighbors
It is no exaggeration to say that neighbors can be like family here. Neighborhoods are reffered to as society, and most do feel like a society. I love interacting with the neighbors-be it through the balcony in flats (apartment buildings), in houses that share walls (most houses in middle class Indian societies), or revisiting old societies I have lived in in the past..-readily available public transportation
Just got to street smart... literally. Know your roads, intersections, bus stands, major rikshaw stops, police stations, and definitely have few contacts in the city (friends, colleagues, relatives, etc.) Obviously, no one has it all figured out in the first week or so, but you have to be alert at all times, and formulate a mental map/time table that it take such amount of time to get to this place -with traffic, without traffic. All of this may seem like too much to do, but it is all for your safety. Never be oblivious.Public transport consists of: rikshaws-private (can be more expensive, especially because CNG prices keep rising), shuttle/sharing (stuff as many people as you can-but for 5-15 Rs depending on distance-good deal!). Again be wary of your surroundings, and ALWAYS ask for a meter card to pay the right amount. Some people can try to charge you more. After a while, you will probably memorize the prices for common places you have had to take rikshaws to though-I did.
Then, there are buses. Larger cities tend to have more buses than smaller ones- at least in the case of Baroda and Ahemdabad-the two main cities I lived in. In Ahemdabad, so many buses are available-just got be very quick to get on and get through that crowd. In Baroda, much harder to find buses, that I mostly had to rely on rikshaws for going across town.
-Now, for one the best perks of India, at least from someone coming from USA, FOOD>
Boy did I miss Indian food-pani puri, vada pav, Manchurian (Indo-chinese dish), Indo-chinese found in India is stellar-simplly incomparable in my opinion. The fusion of so many flavors and the aroma is enchanting.. can you tell I love food!? Moving on, variety of Ice cream in India, tropical fruits, fresh juice (cut the coconut in front of you and then you indulge in mouth watering coconut water...then ask to cut the whole coconut open for some malai (creamy part inside the coconut).. I will miss all of these luxuries-all of which cost 10 times less than restaurant food in the USA, and half the price of USA fast food.. and as far as eating off of street carts go, be wise and know your body. If you just stepped afoot in India, you do not want to come down with a case of traveler's diahhrea, or worse, Hepatitis. Not to frighten anyone, but there is very little sanitation with most food stops- take your own hand sanitizer, water bottle, napkins.. and observe how they prepare the food for other guests if you need to.. then eat! I have lived here for 6 months, and within couple of weeks, I started eating street food, but I am very familiar with the local ingredients food dishes, and my body is used to a lot of the spices and etcetera. Plus, I was fully immunized, and took proper sanitation precautions as much as possible. I will miss Indo-chinese and cheep Punjabi food (Palak paneer and naan, mango lassi!) masala papad...ok enough with food. In short, food is good!okay one more story regarding food.. I went to a mukhwas (mouth freshening mint like snack items-no clue how to describe it otherwise) shop in Alkapuri today-they had all sorts of mukhwas- best part, tasting it! That's right-the store keeper kept giving me more and more to try because he knew I was going to buy a lot. They want to make business, and I wanted to try different flavors! Of course, I ended up buying what I was trying! I got all of it for much cheaper than I would have trying to find it in Indian grocery stores in the USA.
-get clothes tailored to your size-
I have not had to for kurti tops for myself because most standard sizes here fit me, but for dresses that you first buy the fabric for, and then get a whole outfit tailored, it is much cheaper here. Tailors are almost everywhere, but not always punctual. I guess that is the only price you have to pay-never getting anything on time with some tailors, but just imagine the costs of getting something tailored in the USA!-much cheaper passport size photos in India..now, you're probably wondering what is this random thing?! but it is very important as most major documents nowadays require passport size photos, and USA over charges for them. I used to go to CVS-come on-$8 for few photos and that too through a digital camera that was not professional by any means! In India, you get professional studio setting/camera and 30 Rs for 8 photos (rates vary place by place) - that is less than a dollar for 8 high quality professional photographs. :)
-With all of that being said, if you invest so much in a plane ticket to come to India, then might as well truly live here! be a part of the culture. Instead of seeing India through tourist lens, see it through the eyes of the people...to be a part of the culture and local community-that is why I love India. The cheap photos, the cheap food, etc-all of those are just perks, but I wash clothes in the morning, mop and sweep the floors, run errands walk 4 km in mid afternoon heat (with head scarf and water bottle!-be careful) if needed over taking rikshaw..I love the neighbors and I love the sense of community here. I will miss the love and kindness I have received here the most. :)
The negatives, well I could make a list, but I am choosing to focus on the positive. Remember, adjust and be flexible. You can overcome many challenges with personal development. I've had my share of challenges in India- from cultural beliefs towards girls/women to many other issues I've noticed, but I learned to find positive ways to manage different situations... If you don't like something, simple-change your attitude about it. but always be who you are.. don't lose the essence of your own self and individuality, but in a place like India, one needs to adjust and be very very flexible. :)
Until next time, take care... time to fold clothes :)
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