Well folks I've been here for about a month; let's check on my intentions from the first post:
1. I will never get sick of Indian food.
Well, I am getting sick of the canteen food. It's much the same each time, and I do find myself craving pasta and pizza and stuff like that. Sorry!
2. I will never get (seriously) sick, period.
This is the good news; my digestion seems to have adapted to the spiciness and the oils. I haven't gotten seriously ill. This may be because I built up my immunity by eating out at restaurants often before this. It may be because I take these grapeseed extract pills every day. It may be because I had the basic vaccines before I came. It may be because I was very ill as a child and so am immune to almost everything now. It may be that TIFR is perfectly clean and healthy. Who knows?
3a. I will learn the Hindi alphabet, and some Hindi.
This is coming along slower than I'd like. You may remember that earlier I might have taken some classes. Well, Dipendra later decided that the writing classes for the locals weren't appropriate for me. By the way, although Hindi is an "official language" of India, it's not a language that's particularly embraced by the state of Maharashtra, where I live. So I'm working on the alphabet, but this will take some time. Sorry!
3b. In this regard, I will limit the time that I hang out with expatriates.
I'm not doing so well with this one either. You know, they put us in offices together, and they're very friendly and in the same boat. Interestingly, the people who "look like me" here all speak German. One is Austrian, another German-born but working in England, another German-born but working in France, another German. They all appreciate the shirt from Berlin with the walk signal icons that my friend Jed bought me... Anyway I have made friends with some Indians. Mainly the math ones, since folks in different areas here tend not to mix. Let's say 50/50 for this one. By the way, here is a little video I took from a taxi, while hanging out with my officemate Frank. (The talking in the background is not narration; ignore it.)
4. I will find a local juggling group, if there is one, and try to get something going if there isn't.
Okay so when Volker and his son were here, at some point I volunteered to give the kids a juggling show. Well, that had to be arranged, and there was moving involved, and so my promise of an exhibition has been delayed. But it will happen at some point. After that, the word will get out, et cetera. It's been too rainy to do anything outside. Sorry!
5. I will see about being an extra in a Bollywood movie.
This hasn't happened. Sorry! On a related note, I figured out how my TV works. I have about १५० working channels. It's fun, in the mornings I can watch the "Little Krishna" cartoon, and there is news and movies. I watched a particularly ridiculous movie called "Robot", which featured a robot falling in love with his creator's wife. Lots of dance numbers and special effects. The robot was shockingly violent towards the police, etc. which were chasing him. Even though there weren't subtitles, it wasn't hard to follow, though, because there was enough English thrown in. I mainly stick to the six or seven music channels though. This morning Ludacris had a rap-battle with Bollywood star Akshay Kumar. I'm not sure who won. Also, Snoop Dog does the theme song to absurd action comedy series "Singh is King".
Okay, perhaps I'm coming down with Fregoli syndrome, but the same Bollywood actress seems to be doing as much dancing, singing, romancing, and shampoo-using as all other women combined. Can DAI readers guess who I'm talking about? I mean, she's sure talented and all, but it's weird. Anyway it looks like she's having a fun life.
6. I will be delighted if a monkey steals my groceries.
No monkeys yet, so N/A. There are lots of dogs and cats, and many crows, pigeons, and lizards around my apartment. I found a lizard one day in my bathroom, and it scampered quickly behind the water heater. It stayed there for several days; occasionally it would venture out when I wasn't around. I tried taking some pictures but it was too quick. I did get a video though:
7. I will take some yoga classes.
Yes! This will be the next post.
8. I will get a lot of math done.
This is happening, alright. Check.
9. Things to do: camel ride on Chowpathy beach; eat Indian ice cream; check out Elephanta and Ellora; visit Bombay University the main building, an architectural dazzle etc etc.
Sorry! I haven't done any of this yet. When I get a cellphone I plan to call up Ravi's friends and perhaps some of this will happen. Anyway I have all year. For now, here is me in front of the "Gateway to India", which is where you get the boat to Elephanta.
Progress!
1. I will never get sick of Indian food.
Well, I am getting sick of the canteen food. It's much the same each time, and I do find myself craving pasta and pizza and stuff like that. Sorry!
2. I will never get (seriously) sick, period.
This is the good news; my digestion seems to have adapted to the spiciness and the oils. I haven't gotten seriously ill. This may be because I built up my immunity by eating out at restaurants often before this. It may be because I take these grapeseed extract pills every day. It may be because I had the basic vaccines before I came. It may be because I was very ill as a child and so am immune to almost everything now. It may be that TIFR is perfectly clean and healthy. Who knows?
3a. I will learn the Hindi alphabet, and some Hindi.
This is coming along slower than I'd like. You may remember that earlier I might have taken some classes. Well, Dipendra later decided that the writing classes for the locals weren't appropriate for me. By the way, although Hindi is an "official language" of India, it's not a language that's particularly embraced by the state of Maharashtra, where I live. So I'm working on the alphabet, but this will take some time. Sorry!
3b. In this regard, I will limit the time that I hang out with expatriates.
I'm not doing so well with this one either. You know, they put us in offices together, and they're very friendly and in the same boat. Interestingly, the people who "look like me" here all speak German. One is Austrian, another German-born but working in England, another German-born but working in France, another German. They all appreciate the shirt from Berlin with the walk signal icons that my friend Jed bought me... Anyway I have made friends with some Indians. Mainly the math ones, since folks in different areas here tend not to mix. Let's say 50/50 for this one. By the way, here is a little video I took from a taxi, while hanging out with my officemate Frank. (The talking in the background is not narration; ignore it.)
4. I will find a local juggling group, if there is one, and try to get something going if there isn't.
Okay so when Volker and his son were here, at some point I volunteered to give the kids a juggling show. Well, that had to be arranged, and there was moving involved, and so my promise of an exhibition has been delayed. But it will happen at some point. After that, the word will get out, et cetera. It's been too rainy to do anything outside. Sorry!
5. I will see about being an extra in a Bollywood movie.
This hasn't happened. Sorry! On a related note, I figured out how my TV works. I have about १५० working channels. It's fun, in the mornings I can watch the "Little Krishna" cartoon, and there is news and movies. I watched a particularly ridiculous movie called "Robot", which featured a robot falling in love with his creator's wife. Lots of dance numbers and special effects. The robot was shockingly violent towards the police, etc. which were chasing him. Even though there weren't subtitles, it wasn't hard to follow, though, because there was enough English thrown in. I mainly stick to the six or seven music channels though. This morning Ludacris had a rap-battle with Bollywood star Akshay Kumar. I'm not sure who won. Also, Snoop Dog does the theme song to absurd action comedy series "Singh is King".
Okay, perhaps I'm coming down with Fregoli syndrome, but the same Bollywood actress seems to be doing as much dancing, singing, romancing, and shampoo-using as all other women combined. Can DAI readers guess who I'm talking about? I mean, she's sure talented and all, but it's weird. Anyway it looks like she's having a fun life.
6. I will be delighted if a monkey steals my groceries.
No monkeys yet, so N/A. There are lots of dogs and cats, and many crows, pigeons, and lizards around my apartment. I found a lizard one day in my bathroom, and it scampered quickly behind the water heater. It stayed there for several days; occasionally it would venture out when I wasn't around. I tried taking some pictures but it was too quick. I did get a video though:
7. I will take some yoga classes.
Yes! This will be the next post.
8. I will get a lot of math done.
This is happening, alright. Check.
9. Things to do: camel ride on Chowpathy beach; eat Indian ice cream; check out Elephanta and Ellora; visit Bombay University the main building, an architectural dazzle etc etc.
Sorry! I haven't done any of this yet. When I get a cellphone I plan to call up Ravi's friends and perhaps some of this will happen. Anyway I have all year. For now, here is me in front of the "Gateway to India", which is where you get the boat to Elephanta.
 |
| This place is a serious tourist trap. |
Like
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your labors in India are paying off, so happy Labor day!
ReplyDeleteThe Bollywood actress I wanted you to guess is Kareena Kapoor!
ReplyDelete