It's time for another round of observations and interesting things I have come across. I carry my journal around with me and write things down that surprise, intrigue or interest me.
-Many things in India are opposite from the U.S. They drive their cars on the left side of the road. You have to flip the light switches down to turn on the lights. It's interesting to see how confused I get with simple things are opposite from what I am used to
-People here can switch fluently between am/pm time and army time. I feel silly when I have to count up from 12pm to see what 17:50 means (5:50pm, in case you were wondering).
-Unlike the U.S., Indian parents don't name their child right when they are born. In the U.S., the parents have to give a name to get a birth certificate, otherwise they can't leave the hospital. Here, there are no such restrictions! Usually, the baby comes home and everyone calls them by a pet name or nickname (common ones are kaka, pinky, chuhu, etc.). I think traditionally you have to name the baby on the 11th day, starting with an auspicious sound...but it's all pretty confusing and no one follows the exact same traditions.
-Not only have I been working to learn Hindi, but I have also had to learn "Delhi English." Just as everyone learned what "snogging" meant in the UK from Harry Potter, I have had to learn what different terms mean here. An easy one is "petro" - that's how everyone refers to gas. The best one I have come across is "bunking." I kept hearing the girls talk about "bunking classes"....I finally asked and found out that was our equivalent to "skipping classes." Go figure. I guess I can put on my resume that I am becoming fluent in Delhi English.
-Everyone in school and college in the U.S. cherish their Saturdays off. Well surprise! There is class on Saturday here in India for most schools and colleges! When I found that out, I was pretty blown away....I definitely need my Saturdays to myself to function. How would we have college football if we had class on Saturdays? That's a scary thought...
-Last thing: I went shopping in a famous bazaar last weekend called Janpath and saw this sign. Just imagine it being said in an Indian accent and it will make you smile :)
-Many things in India are opposite from the U.S. They drive their cars on the left side of the road. You have to flip the light switches down to turn on the lights. It's interesting to see how confused I get with simple things are opposite from what I am used to
-People here can switch fluently between am/pm time and army time. I feel silly when I have to count up from 12pm to see what 17:50 means (5:50pm, in case you were wondering).
-Unlike the U.S., Indian parents don't name their child right when they are born. In the U.S., the parents have to give a name to get a birth certificate, otherwise they can't leave the hospital. Here, there are no such restrictions! Usually, the baby comes home and everyone calls them by a pet name or nickname (common ones are kaka, pinky, chuhu, etc.). I think traditionally you have to name the baby on the 11th day, starting with an auspicious sound...but it's all pretty confusing and no one follows the exact same traditions.
-Not only have I been working to learn Hindi, but I have also had to learn "Delhi English." Just as everyone learned what "snogging" meant in the UK from Harry Potter, I have had to learn what different terms mean here. An easy one is "petro" - that's how everyone refers to gas. The best one I have come across is "bunking." I kept hearing the girls talk about "bunking classes"....I finally asked and found out that was our equivalent to "skipping classes." Go figure. I guess I can put on my resume that I am becoming fluent in Delhi English.
-Everyone in school and college in the U.S. cherish their Saturdays off. Well surprise! There is class on Saturday here in India for most schools and colleges! When I found that out, I was pretty blown away....I definitely need my Saturdays to myself to function. How would we have college football if we had class on Saturdays? That's a scary thought...
-Last thing: I went shopping in a famous bazaar last weekend called Janpath and saw this sign. Just imagine it being said in an Indian accent and it will make you smile :)
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