Impressions of India

Outside my apt they are working on the water pipes or sewage drains. See picture on left.  The hole that needs being dug is about 5 feet deep by 2 feet wide. It all is done by man and women power. I was watching what appeared to be a couple work together, the man was in the hole, already at his head level, gets a shovel full of dirt and hands it to the woman on top to empty it and hands it back. This went on for at least 10 shovels full until the young boy of maybe a year -is that when they start walking?, threw his shoe into the hole. He had been keeping himself busy and out of trouble. The Mother tried to stop him from doing it again but then the other shoe fell in. The young lad had nothing to keep himself busy but rocks and dirt. Not like at home where babies ar given LOTS of toys to occupy them. The mother took off her scarf and whirled it around to be a rope, tied one end to a post and the other to the ankle of the baby. It worked!

Trusting and kindness.
The first week I was here I went shopping for a top at the market close to my place. The lady sold me a top and pants. She was very pushy and wanted me to buy more. I didn't have that much money so just asked for the two items. I didn't have enough money so she took what I had and told me to pay her the balance some other day. The balance was equivalent to $4. I was shocked! I thought that she might have just overpriced them, put they were reasonable. I liked that. Within the week I paid her the balance.
This is not a single occurrence but happens all the time at the local market. I might not have enough small change and they say pay me later. When I buy fruit and veges the bill is about $1-2. So I might be short a few cents. I always go back and pay the amount I owe. Surprisingly this happened again and at the next stall I or he didn't have change and he kept the extra, but thinking I owed him he said no and gave me my charge back, he just didn't have the small bill. This is a very positive impression and unusual for me.
When I was in Jaipur I bought a bracelet which had a security lock. The security lock was broken. At a jewelry store in the mall last weekend I asked them if they could fix it for me. They did with no charge! Very nice.

Auto rickshaws
Almost all of the auto rickshaws have meters. Most of the time I am told they are out of service. So I ask for a price. I am traveling the same route often and know that it should cost 30 rupees, about 70 cents. Often I am told it is 50, 60, or even 80, I know that it should be between 30-50, I now say I'll give 50 and if they don't say ok I'll find another rickshaw. I am told that we shouldn't tip them as they will continue to expect that from foreigners. It's all part of the fun learning experience!