Hi everyone, this is Rebekah. Mom did a good job relating our past couple of days but I thought I'd share my perspective:
*First, let's start with crossing streets. When we went to the uniform shop in daylight, crossing the street wasn't as difficult as in the dark. So when we were done shopping for all the uniforms and shoes, we had to cross the street again and this time it was in the dark. I had some of the younger children with two on each side holding my hands and maybe some holding onto my arms. There were some cars that were very impatient and didn't see I had little children with me. And I sure let them know!!! And I thought were were going to be hit! So as I was saying, I let them know! I started screaming at them because they could hear me over the horns. There is something here called, "the power of the hand." When you're in traffic and there's a car determined not to stop and you're trying to cross the street, you put out your hand. People usually don't do this very forcefully, but that night I sure did! I made sure they saw my hand clear as day. After that excitement was over, when we were going back to Charisma House, the kids started coming up to me and imitating me and all of us laughed!
*A few days ago when we went shopping at New Market, my priority was to buy handmade, leather sandals. I saw a very nice sandal shop. So I decided to take a look. I think I figured out the way business people work here. The longer they keep a customer, the more likely the customer will buy their products but that doesn't work for me! I feel like that wastes both of our time. They like to tell you the price at the end of you looking around and when you found something you really like. But I like to hear the price at the beginning. The man was determined to tell me at the end. But I was even more determined for him to tell me right then! He kept trying to put the sandal on my feet, but I wanted to know the price first (I think that happened three times). Finally, I wore him down and he told me the price (850 rupees/approx. $13). I kept asking him if he'd take 400. He tried to avoid the negotiation by putting the sandal on my foot. Finally I stood up, stomped my feet and said, "Sir, I asked you a question. Would you take 400?" I think when I'm talking to someone and I'm passionate about a subject, I take on an Indian accent. And then he said, "Ok, I will take 400." A little while later he said, "You say 400 and I say 500." I said, "Sir, you lied to me. You said you would take 400!" So, he said "ok." And I got my handmade, leather sandals which are very nice (I got them for approx. $6).
*Shopping:
My mom and I are a great team for shopping! She's the one who can definitely get the price down and if she doesn't want to pay a high price, they'll lose her business. And I'm good at getting people to back off (quickly). And they really don't expect this from a 12 year old girl!
*I wasn't feeling very well today. So mom allowed me to stay at the hotel while she went to help across the street at Charisma House. This hotel is small and safe. We've gotten to know the staff fairly well. And there is one lady who really likes us and we really like her! And if I'm not with my mom, she gets very concerned. Mom let the lady know that I wasn't well and I'd be staying in the hotel today. The funny thing is that I feel more comfortable alone in my hotel room in India than alone in downtown Winnipeg!
*As you know, I'm a horse crazy girl! And I am REALLY missing my horse right now!!! Not being able to ride everyday (or at least see him everyday when it's very cold out) is something I don't think I could do permanently! I think he's feeling very sad, too!
*My house:
I'm really starting to miss my BIG house which I'm even more thankful for now that we've been on this trip! There's peace and quiet (no horns). I can run around in my house and not run into a wall or trip over suitcases. I miss my room (my comfy loftbed, lots of space to do yoga, my books, my pictures, etc.). I'd never thought I'd say this, but I actually kind of miss our projector tv and most of the channels are english (with the exception of the ones in french we never tune into)! I miss our comfy couches. I miss our kitchen like crazy (which is small to our standards but it's much larger than our fridge and counter space we use as a pantry). I miss cooking and baking with mom. I miss the view from our house (farmers' fields for miles and miles...no buildings in the way, etc.)
*Food:
When I came here, I thought when I went home I'd be tired of Indian food. But that's not the case...it's more like I'm sick and tired of chinese food. At home, there is sushi at every corner (which is my personal favorite). But here there is a chinese restaurant on every corner. We used to order room service almost every night for supper (while Dad was here)--chicken fried rice and chicken chowmein. After a few nights, it seemed way too salty and everyone agreed! So, we decided no more chinese food for the rest of the trip! Once a day we splurge and get a really good meal out. For breakfast and lunch, we eat in our hotel room (that usually means a tuna sandwich one or more times a day and it's much better than the alternative of chinese).
I'm getting tired and will share more random thoughts soon!
*First, let's start with crossing streets. When we went to the uniform shop in daylight, crossing the street wasn't as difficult as in the dark. So when we were done shopping for all the uniforms and shoes, we had to cross the street again and this time it was in the dark. I had some of the younger children with two on each side holding my hands and maybe some holding onto my arms. There were some cars that were very impatient and didn't see I had little children with me. And I sure let them know!!! And I thought were were going to be hit! So as I was saying, I let them know! I started screaming at them because they could hear me over the horns. There is something here called, "the power of the hand." When you're in traffic and there's a car determined not to stop and you're trying to cross the street, you put out your hand. People usually don't do this very forcefully, but that night I sure did! I made sure they saw my hand clear as day. After that excitement was over, when we were going back to Charisma House, the kids started coming up to me and imitating me and all of us laughed!
*A few days ago when we went shopping at New Market, my priority was to buy handmade, leather sandals. I saw a very nice sandal shop. So I decided to take a look. I think I figured out the way business people work here. The longer they keep a customer, the more likely the customer will buy their products but that doesn't work for me! I feel like that wastes both of our time. They like to tell you the price at the end of you looking around and when you found something you really like. But I like to hear the price at the beginning. The man was determined to tell me at the end. But I was even more determined for him to tell me right then! He kept trying to put the sandal on my feet, but I wanted to know the price first (I think that happened three times). Finally, I wore him down and he told me the price (850 rupees/approx. $13). I kept asking him if he'd take 400. He tried to avoid the negotiation by putting the sandal on my foot. Finally I stood up, stomped my feet and said, "Sir, I asked you a question. Would you take 400?" I think when I'm talking to someone and I'm passionate about a subject, I take on an Indian accent. And then he said, "Ok, I will take 400." A little while later he said, "You say 400 and I say 500." I said, "Sir, you lied to me. You said you would take 400!" So, he said "ok." And I got my handmade, leather sandals which are very nice (I got them for approx. $6).
*Shopping:
My mom and I are a great team for shopping! She's the one who can definitely get the price down and if she doesn't want to pay a high price, they'll lose her business. And I'm good at getting people to back off (quickly). And they really don't expect this from a 12 year old girl!
*I wasn't feeling very well today. So mom allowed me to stay at the hotel while she went to help across the street at Charisma House. This hotel is small and safe. We've gotten to know the staff fairly well. And there is one lady who really likes us and we really like her! And if I'm not with my mom, she gets very concerned. Mom let the lady know that I wasn't well and I'd be staying in the hotel today. The funny thing is that I feel more comfortable alone in my hotel room in India than alone in downtown Winnipeg!
*As you know, I'm a horse crazy girl! And I am REALLY missing my horse right now!!! Not being able to ride everyday (or at least see him everyday when it's very cold out) is something I don't think I could do permanently! I think he's feeling very sad, too!
*My house:
I'm really starting to miss my BIG house which I'm even more thankful for now that we've been on this trip! There's peace and quiet (no horns). I can run around in my house and not run into a wall or trip over suitcases. I miss my room (my comfy loftbed, lots of space to do yoga, my books, my pictures, etc.). I'd never thought I'd say this, but I actually kind of miss our projector tv and most of the channels are english (with the exception of the ones in french we never tune into)! I miss our comfy couches. I miss our kitchen like crazy (which is small to our standards but it's much larger than our fridge and counter space we use as a pantry). I miss cooking and baking with mom. I miss the view from our house (farmers' fields for miles and miles...no buildings in the way, etc.)
*Food:
When I came here, I thought when I went home I'd be tired of Indian food. But that's not the case...it's more like I'm sick and tired of chinese food. At home, there is sushi at every corner (which is my personal favorite). But here there is a chinese restaurant on every corner. We used to order room service almost every night for supper (while Dad was here)--chicken fried rice and chicken chowmein. After a few nights, it seemed way too salty and everyone agreed! So, we decided no more chinese food for the rest of the trip! Once a day we splurge and get a really good meal out. For breakfast and lunch, we eat in our hotel room (that usually means a tuna sandwich one or more times a day and it's much better than the alternative of chinese).
I'm getting tired and will share more random thoughts soon!
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