1. “Hands free” driving techniques come in all shapes and sizes.  I snapped this picture quickly while in a taxi, which costs about 0.60 cents USD per ride.  There is also cheaper option, which is about 0.20 USD.

2. I now buy fabric, not clothes.  And finding a good seamstress is very important.  Technically, I could wear my “Westerner” clothing here , as the culture is rapidly changing due to outside influences from surrounding countries.  However, the local people, who are my primary ministry focus, still wear the traditional outfit, and therefore, it is important I dress in a similar fashion and be mindful not to offend.

3. Sitting around a table enjoying a meal with others does not require the use of chairs, or even utensils, at times.  A traditional table is approximately a foot and a half off the ground, covered with a tablecloth (which should never come in contact with your feet!), and people sit around it in the shape of a “U”.  The honoured guest(s) sits at the top of the “U” and when arriving at someone’s home, so it is very important to initially “sit low”. The host will move you higher, to the honoured seat, if they so choose.  Below, is a picture from the restaurant where I ate my first meal, upon my arrival in the country.


4. Bread (“naan”) is considered holy.  Do not let it fall on the floor, do not turn it upside down, and certainly do not throw bread in the garbage, even if it is mouldy, stale or hard.

5. Black tea and green tea are served at each meal, or, at any point in the day should guests visit your home.  Please notice, I did not mention of coffee.  The local people are not coffee drinkers.  I must give a shout out to my friend BigDoubleR for recommending I bring an AeroPress Coffee Maker, and subsequently, my brother and sister-in-law for purchasing one for me.  There are limited places throughout the city that serve or sell coffee, but thankfully, my AeroPress and large Costco-size bag of Starbucks beans made the trip across the pond safely.

6. Driving a taxi in NYC pales in comparison to the driving here.  Most roads here are not in good shape, honking is in abundance, and slamming the brakes is common practice.  However, the drivers always seem to be in control and taking transit is always a fun adventure.

7. Maintaining a “personal bubble” is a foreign concept.  For example, a “van taxi” may have 6 legitimate seats, however, at least 10 passengers should be able to fit, comfortably…on each other’s laps?  When it is 33 degrees Celsius outside with no air conditioning inside the taxi, it makes for a splendid commuting experience. Gravol, anyone?

8. Friendly smiles walking down the street are not common practice, as they may be in North America.  In fact, as a woman, you do not to maintain eye contact or initiate conversations with men who are not your husband or family.

9. Apparently, I repressed the wonderful memories of using a squatty-potty from the time I spent in Thailand a few years back.  Rest assured, those memories came flooding back this week when I encountered that same sweet aroma, non-existent toilet paper, and no porcelain pony to sit on.  These squatty-potties may be found in locations as such bazaars and local eateries, and avoiding them, especially when traveling outside the main city, is nearly impossible.  You can thank me later for not posting a picture.

10. Going to the local Bazaars/Markets most days is common practice, especially during the summer months, to get your perishable food items for the day.  They usually open around 6am and close around 8pm.  And fun fact: the earlier you go, the cheaper the prices!  I am looking forward to learning the language and being able to bargain effectively.