What I Find Strange

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I saw a cow in the village with a tongue growing out of the middle of his back. I snapped a pic because no one would believe me. Some of the boys also saw it and we have looked for that cow everyday in the same field but we have not seen it again. Strange.

A man walking down the street with a gigantic bag of popcorn on his head. I have no idea what he is selling it for but it can't be much. Man he must be tired at the end of the day. Try to hold an akward sized item over your head for hours in the sun walking barefoot.

There seems to be a general lack of punctuality with Indians. Everyone is always late but never rushed.

No road signs anywhere. Impossible to get around Hyderabad if you don't have a good map and a sense of direction.

So many private schools. In fact a lot of business and engineering schools are closing as there is not enough enrollment.

At the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, the toliets backed up because of 4,000 condoms being flushed down them. The organizers gave out free condoms to the athletes. They were busy!

Entire families riding on motorcycles that typically fit 2. The strangest was sitting in gridlock traffic in Hyd and a mother breast feeding a baby while a second and third toddler sat sandwiched between her and her husband. WOW. Wish I snapped a pic.

Men who just urinate wherever they want. It is so dirty and I am reluctant to walk on the rare sidewalk (generally there are none) because the stench of urine. I wash my feet so often.

Somehow I am getting used to the dust, pollution and garbage. That is the strangest of all.

Cultural Observation: An insatiable thirst for any gold and tons of bling. Men women alike. Huge chunky shiny gold lockets hang around the necks of anyone heading to a function. The girls have been trying to get me to buy a big necklace for myself but I just can't bring myself to do it. While Indian jewellery is famous, what I have seen locally is not my taste.

Check out the NGO website Child Haven

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Photos

Cow with tongue growing out back
Look close at this mutation.

Kids version of a toilet
This is so common, kids pooping on the side of the street.

Hydro Repair?
Are You Serious - no shoes, no helmut. So many electrical workers die because of electrocution.

Entrepreneur
Quick way to turn a cheap scooter into a money making machine.

Comments

[Valencia]

Sweet memories
Hi Christine! Ah! the memories you bring back! They stay with you forever you know! Like the families of 4 or 5 on motorcycles, or the thirst for bling that you mention! I always wondered if there might be parallels that we can draw with the West! I wanted to tell you (you might already be aware of this) that Child Haven is holding their annual charity event on Saturday. So I'll be thinking about you while we're there, and it'll be nice to see Bonnie and Fred again and some other people that work hard behind the scenes. Take care and thanks for sharing your thoughts! Valencia

[Megan Gilbertson]

How are the kids doing?
I was the intern that was there before you, i'm travelling now so until i get a phone card it's going to be difficult to call and talk to them. How are they? Is Mehmood mixing in with the other kids or has he gone quiet again? Ask Timothy to tell you some of his stories in english, their hilarious, and it boosts his confidence speaking english as well as getting the other children involved who help him with a word if he doesn't know it. I miss them, and i hope your having a good time, Megan

[shiva rudrappa]

hi
hi this shiva from child haven in hyderabad .i love thes home ryly i never forget my 10 years in child haven .know im great human .know im liveing old city in hyderabad .ther one worker name srikanth [bhaia] he is not well person its my 10 years word.kumari medam mariya medam is verey good say hai to all .hai bonnima i miss u loooooooooooot.tehed sir i love u but u not in the bad world u r the my god sri bye .shiva rudrappa