Have you done much sightseeing?
So far, only Qutub Minar. On our list? Lal Qila, Chandni Chowk, Red Fort and of course Taj Mahal. There are plenty of temples I want to see (although since the kids don't have any interest, I'll be doing that alone).
SO ... what exactly is the "Toilet Situation" ?
In our home, we have western toilets (meaning, just as you're accustomed to), although they come with these "quaint" squirters attached to a hose. What is the cute little squirter for, you ask? If you adapt to the Indian way of spending time in the bathroom, it means you will [instead of toilet paper] use the handy dandy little squirt gun thing-a-ma-jig to wash down there ... then towel dry.
We had the wonderful experience of the other toilet option while getting our family registered at the Foreign Registration R (what does the other "R" stand for?) Office. Poor little Mia looked at that hole in the ground with disgust and said with force, "I. Am. NOT. Going. In. THAT. Hole."
We made a game out of it, however, and soon enough she was squatting and hovering over that hole with the greatest of ease!
Hey, thanks to those of you who cautioned me against wearing long skirts/dresses here! I think I've maybe come across 2 of these hole toilets for every 20 western style options ... so it's all good.
What things are you most glad you brought from the United States?
Definitely the mondo shipment of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. My curly girl hair products (and I'm not really even that much of a diva, I promise!). The entire house (I'm so glad we chose to pick up the contents of our house and plop it here in Delhi). Glad for our craft totes, as things aren't quite the same quality here, especially watercolor paint and markers. This is actually a hard question to answer, as I'm hoping to assimilate the kiddos slowly but surely to where there aren't major items that they HAVE to have from the States. Nearly everything (and I'm serious when I say everything) is available here in Delhi, as long as you're willing to search for it.
Are they many cultural differences living in Delhi, as a woman?
I almost hesitate to answer this questions, because I feel it's a matter of perspective and opinion. It's also depends on where you are coming from and your ability to go with the flow, or take the attitude of "when in Rome ..." I feel that I am generally on a tier below Todd, in that "Sir" is typically expected to handle everything, make decisions, handle the finances, etc. We both have one leg though, equally, in the wearing of the pants around here, so I find myself having to assert myself loudly and OFTEN so that people take me seriously as the "one in charge."
I think that huge cultural issues as a woman would exist in say, Pakistan, but generally speaking I don't see much of anything that is a huge deal ... for me at least.
What does the milk taste like?
I can't stomach it ... and won't try to describe it. There is a definite difference to its taste, but the important thing is that the littles could care less. They gobble it up, whether in a sippy cup or in their morning cereal! It comes most often in a box ... and once opened, is kept refrigerated
If you can't drink the water, how is it on your skin and hair?
I'll take Delhi water (as far as my skin/hair goes) ANY day of the week over our well water in Ohio! It leaves my hair smooth, virtualy frizz free (also thanks to my wicked awesome curly hair products I brought from the States) and my skin seems just as silky.
Any other questions? As I said before, I am HAPPY to answer them ... ask away!
