off to the Taj today

Well, I am off to the Taj today and it should be a fun time. I will get to see more of the country that doesn't involve my hotel, office or the drive between the two. As I have indicated previously with so much time spent at the office and traveling between the office and hotel, I have not really seen or experienced that much here. We will be meeting up with the group up north and it sounds like partying pretty hard tonight. Then get up early to catch a train to the Taj. Flying back to Pune on Sunday.

Since I do not do much other than work, sleep, and eat, I will talk about meals (not food specifically). People are taught here to not leave any food behind as it is gift from god. Same philosophy exists in the Martingale family although not because it is a gift from god but because Martingales are ravenous animals around food (those not familiar, the martingales are my mom, her 8 brothers and sisters, their spouses, and children). Everyone here is also fanatical about washing their hands which is something that could be practiced a little more in the us. Before every meal people wash their hands. Immediatley following the meal in the office, everyone washes their hands. They have a room with 6 sinks next to the tray drop off in the cafeteria. So you drop the tray off and then wash your hands. In restaurants, each person is given a bowl of water with lemon in it to wash your hands immediatley following the meal. This is essential since hands are used with most meals. Many of the Indians will actually only wash their right hand becuase that is the only hand they use to eat. This is related to the all good things come from the right I mentioned in another post. Only using one hand to break/tear bread is tough. I have attempted it a few times but I usually resort to two hands because I don't have the patience.

One thing that I have enjoyed is that one of the drivers (he doesn't come every day as there are several) likes to practice his English with me. He always asks me to sit in the front seat so we can talk. He works from 6am - 11pm driving people around and has 2 young kids. He has also been informing me on some of the cultural differences in India. Like at 29 (for 3 more months), I would be married if I lived here. Outside of the major cities he says that girls get married between 18 and 23. Guys 23- 30, so I am still in the range.