July 29, 2008

We had to go to a doctor's appointment today, and just like in Canada, the wait was long but the cost inexpensive, about $30. The facilities in the area were top rate, some construction being done by ladies in saris while their children hung out nearby, right on the road side.  We stopped by an upscale market for a meal on the way home, this time Lebanese.  We've had great Asian, South Indian, Punjabi and other tastes, and even the cafeteria at school has wonderful local food, but this was a dive.  It was a hip and cool place for young adults to smoke the hookah, which Evan thought was pretty interesting.   The market was full of expensive shops, even by US standards, and full of cows as well. We stopped by a pharmacy to pick up hand-sanitizer, and the salesperson wanted to sell us a small delicate amount for $24, until I said the brand name of an aruyvedic product recommended by an Indian colleague: it was only 35 rupees: about 80 cents.  Our taxi cab was not air conditioned, but with the windows down, and little traffic, it is quite tolerable, despite the 35 degree temps.  It turns out we've had this same taxi driver three times, and each time he goes to restart, the dear old car doesn't want to turn over. It seems a peculiar site to wandering passersby, these three foreigners sitting in an old jalopy.  But this driver is so competent in what seems impossible driving conditions, weaving bare millimeters around traffic, and he waits for us for hours at a time.  I know there's a lot more out there like him, with AC and engines that work, but it brings a wry smile to my face when he is the one who shows up at the curb.