Ramble On

Had my first home cooked meal in almost a month last night. I think it was one of the few meals I've had here in India where I could taste something other then hot spice. It was delicious. Hospitality was excellent too. One of my co-workers invited me home to have dinner with his family in Delhi. It was a very nice way to wrap up my stay here.

Before going to his home, we hit a few sights in Delhi. First we rolled by one of the parliament buildings.

Then by the India Gate

Then off to the Akshardham temple. Unfortunately I couldn't take any pictures at the temple. Security was really really tight. It was pretty cool. I probably could have taken a hundred pictures there alone.

So the dust storm that started two weeks ago is still going. I guess it's not really a storm, but a way of life. I'm not even sure it's dust or a storm. When I ask, some people say it's dust from the deserts to the west in Rajasthan (most logical explanation for me), others say it's dust from the construction here, or pollution, or fog, or they don't know what it is and laugh at me for asking or caring. Sorry. When I can't see the buildings on the other side of the road, I get curious. It's just one of many very different experiences for me here. Sort of like seeing people bathe from a bucket on the side of the road.

This morning was the first morning in a few days I haven't woken up with little red dots all over me. I think the rain last Friday gave a little boost to the mosquito population around here. The rain last Friday has screwed me again!

So far I hadn't needed to apply bug repellent before going to bed. After a couple of mornings of red spots all over me, it was time to change my game plan. At first I thought it might be bedbugs, since the mosquitos hadn't bothered me (too bad) till this week. After a little research, I determined it wasn't bedbugs. They bite in patterns of three spots (breakfast, lunch, dinner) as you move and disturb them while they're feeding (on you). I applied the repellent before turning in last night and no new red spots this morning.

The mosquitos over here are definitely different then back home. Back home they're aggressive and buzz as they attack. Here they lazily fly in circles not appearing to care about you or are too diseased themselves to be aware. Either by chance or sneakiness, they get you when you least expect it. Currently there's a bit of a Dengue Fever going around Delhi. Lazy or not, they can make you very sick.

- b