1. Motorcycle Transportation
Prior to two months ago, I think I had been on a motorcycle once in my life. I never desired to be voluntarily exposed to the elements while driving 20+ miles per hour. Now, its become normal to hop on the back, cling to the hubs, and hit the road. We strap on our hiking packs to transport groceries in our town or our belongings for a 5 hour trip. Last week, we enjoyed a motorcycle ride around the city watching fireworks and looking at Christmas lights during a holiday in our country that is basically a cross between Christmas & the 4th of July. We each crammed an AirPod in one ear (which really does feel crammed with a helmet on) and listened to Christmas music together as we pretended that it actually was the holiday season, despite that fact that it was only the beginning of November. I’m learning just how convenient motorcycles are when there are endless opportunities for traffic jams such as cows, herds of sheep and goats, or another vehicles just stopping in the middle of the road because they feel like it. A motorcycle can usually get around these obstacles in no time. While it has truly felt like a core and back workout as a motorcycle passenger on long trips, I have also realized that its nearly impossible to get “car sick” on a motorcycle, no matter how many turns you take.
2. Monkeys on the Premises
Here are a few example of monkeys on our turf: monkeys falling from the balcony onto the tin shed, climbing up the windows, doing flips and somersaults in the front yard, sitting on the front gate when I go out for a morning run, grooming themselves on the roof, and playing on the trampoline. It’s funny to think about it but in reality it can get a little out of hand. We currently have a chapati (flat bread, similar to a tortilla) at the bottom of our water tank on the roof due to the monkeys.
One day this week, we heard a crazy amount of racket on the balcony. Usually we try to ignore the monkeys but this time there was screaming, screeching, fighting, and banging. yes, believer it or not monkeys can make violent sounds that should only be in horror movies. My husband opened the balcony door to see what all the noise was about. A few monkeys stared back at him on the steps but he also happened to notice some water dripping from the roof. He hoped it wasn’t a broken pipe from the monkey business but soon realized it was a monkey peeing off the roof.
3. Leg & Booty Coverage
I used to throw on a pair of shorts to go for a run or wear a dress whenever I felt like dressing up but now I’m used to the full booty & leg coverage life. I wouldn’t want to draw any more attention to myself than already exists due to the fact that I am simply not South Asian. Jeans, leggings, and long shirts, have become a daily necessity and I am incredibly glad I picked up a variety of long sweaters for chilly weather before I flew across the Atlantic. One aspect of the clothing that I love about this place is that it’s always okay to wear bright colors and loud patterns.
4. Eat More Chicken
Sloppy joe’s, hamburgers, salmon, turkey panini sandwiches: there were plenty of meat and fish options that I used to make. Now we just eat more chicken. I tried lamb burgers but it didn’t go over too well so if anyone has a good lamb recipe out there, send it my way. Since cows are considered holy here, there’s no mouth watering Five Guy as a lunch or dinner option. We have certainly been eating more chicken…chicken tikka, butter chicken, chicken chili, chicken sandwiches, chicken-pot-pie, chicken and veggie soup, and lemon-garlic chicken.
Pro Tip: When a menu in South Asia says beef it usually means water buffalo meat.
5. Heating Water
Hot water is useful for so many things. Cleaning grease or butter off dishes or pans, an enjoyable shower, or washing your face at night without cringing from the cold. We use a geyser. Although it’s spelled just like geyser as in Old Faithful in Yellowstone, it is pronounced “geezer” and can be connected to faucets in order to heat water. At first it was an adjustment to turn on the geyser 20 minutes before showing or washing dishes but now I’m getting used to it. We have accidentally left it on for a few days before (oops) but are trying to remember to immediately turn it off after enjoying every moment with the hot warm water.