Right now I'm sitting in the lobby of our hotel. On my right is a cricket pitch, and it's sunny and in the 70's. Typing a blog post on my phone isn't easy so I'll keep this short.
Before I came here, I imagined Pune to be like Boston, westernized, only with more traffic and Indian culture. Instead, it's hard to compare them. First difference: the traffic is everything you've heard about India and worse. The issue isn't bumper-to-bumper jams, instead, the only bumpers meeting bumpers is when a car hits a motorcycle or rickshaw. Crosswalks are merely decorative; people run across the road when they can get across without (definitely) getting hit.
But there's no reason to dwell on the negatives, because India is incredible. The streets are so busy: stray dogs, fruit vendors, women wearing scarves around their mouths to keep out the pollution while they speed by on motorcycles, men talking in alley-way shadows at night, et cetera.
I met my host family yesterday during a wonderful ceremony. After our host siblings put Tilak (the red powder traditionally used in welcoming guests) on our foreheads and we received necklaces with orange and white flowers, we spoke for some time. My whole family speaks English and seems very sweet. I won't say too much about them because internet safety and privacy are important, but trust me, I'm in very good hands.
Breakfast is soon, so I'll tell you all that the food here is amazing. Except for the onion and lemon juice and hot sauce, which I learned are meant as garnishes. Don't eat them together. For your own sake.
Picture of moment of impact forthcoming.
Picture of moment of impact forthcoming.
