Culture shock India: Catering

It is when, at my placement, the other volunteers and I notice the food for lunch is running very low (we eat the same food as the daycare center children, railway children, staff and orphans- in that order) and suggest to Yogen that the orphans should eat before us, as we could easily find a local restaurant and afford our own lunch. It is when, Yogen, after informing the coordinator, Mr. Tapan of this suggestion, flips out and absolutely insists we sit down and eat and eat literally running the risk of depleting the food provided for the only meal the orphans will eat all day. The orphans insist we sit down and eat. Culture shock- when it is considered absolutely rude and innapropriate to turn away a food offering, even from the hungry orphan serving you, as they do everyday. Don't worry, there entered up being enough for everybody, but considering the circumstances I didn't exactly gorge myself.

This has also been occuring outside of work, when me and some of my new local friends go out to dinner and they insist on piling food on my plate without even asking, forcing me to waste it, as it would be wasted anyway, because this country has no concept of the "doggy bag". I try to control my discomfort with it.

Basically every local (or semi-local) wants to cater to you- your friends, coworkers, the pantless beggar children doing backflips in the middle of rush hour traffic to earn some rupees.


------------------------------------------------------------------

You know those memoriable "I think I am going to die" moments you have had while merging onto highway traffic, or while driving in a thunderstorm whiteout? I have about 6-7 daily while transporting in this crazy city- whether it's walking, on a motorbike, in a rickshaw or in a car. I've literally just started closing my eyes. In fact, just yesterday I fell asleep in my auto rickshaw. I've seen 3 or 4 minor accidents and no major ones, but theres no exchanging of words and defintly no exchange of insurance information. In fact, one the volunteers got hit by a motorbike while walking, as the bike sped off- all she was left with was a nasty bruise. Last night, the traffic and inability of autos caused me to be 2 hours late to dinner.

To sum up, I'm not fond of being catered to, especially when not asked, and sleeping through traffic seems to be the best idea I can think of for the moment.

Here are some pictures posted by other volunteers!

on the 2nd class train back from Agra- 4 hours that felt more like 8.

At my placement (I'm in the backround holding Alisha)!!
Jess playing the Indian version of Down By the Banks with the older school girls.

Erin