Week One Wrapup

Heading out for a day of sightseeing.
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Since we've been here for a week, I thought I'd do a quick recap of my initial thoughts on India.  Let me start by saying that I had NO IDEA what I was in for.  I don't think anything could have prepared me for getting into that van and watching the streets go by.  The trash, the smells, the heat, the pollution, the masses ... it's really hard to describe, even now.  But I will try.

THE GOOD

Obviously there are a lot of good things to say.  We are having a great time.  Sishir's parents, their friends and the extended family, have been so welcoming ... inviting us into their homes, cooking for us, giving us wedding gifts ... it's been a wonderful experience.  Also, having Sishir to act as tour guide has made things a lot easier than for the typical tourist.  We've seen the "real" Madras that most folks probably never do - warts and all.  And of course there is the food.  Oh my, the food!  People told me I would love it, and they were right.  I am so glad we have another four weeks of deliciousness to look forward to.

By the fresco in Mahabalipuram.
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THE BAD

I've mentioned some of these already.  The heat is unrelenting.  I remember it being hot when I was a kid on the farm, but this is something else.  The thermometer has been above 92 since we arrived.  And, it's only going to get worse, most likely.  Plus the 95% humidity doesn't help.  The pollution is somethig else.  In the autorickshaw, stuck in traffic, it's like breathing straight from the exhaust pipe.  Once we get going, it's not so bad, but those minutes of inhaling fumes are not fun.  Then there are the smells.  Stale urine, body odor and raw sewage.  It's not so fun.  But then every once in a while you'll get a whiff of jasmine, and that makes it all worthwhile.  Sort of.  And then, the worst of all...the traffic.  As I've mentioned, it is completely insane.  It's not that people are even travelling that fast...most of the time you're only going 25 mph, max.  But the lack of anything resembling order makes it a completely terrifying experience.  Cars, motorcycles, autorickshaws, scooters, bicycles, carts, cows - everyone shares the road, and the end result is chaos.  Plain and simple.

At the beach in MBP.
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THE UGLY

The worst part for me has been the mosquitoes.  For some reason, mosquitoes have a strange attraction to me, and I have a strong reaction to them.  I had forgotten how bad it was; I haven't had a bite since I moved to San Diego.  Boy did it come back in a hurry.  The first day I had five bites; the second day I was up to 20 and by the third I was dousing myself in Deet repellent the moment I stepped out of the bedroom.  That seems to help; I haven't had any new bites in the last few days.  You know I will be continuing this regimen.

Look at me holding up the rock!
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There you have it - my thoughts on India after one week.  We're headed to Delhi tomorrow for 10 days of sightseeing so I will be updating the blog on the fly, when the opportunity presents itself.  Hopefully we'll find cyber cafes along the way; if not, I'll post a long update when we get back to Madras.  Here are some pictures from the last week, including a few from Sekar's camera.  Enjoy.