Funny Moments in Vellore

As we are getting ready to leave Vellore tomorrow morning, we've all shared our hospital stories but there have just been some funny moments about staying in the small town of Vellore for 2 weeks that have made this trip unique.

I think we can all agree that the Indian head nod has by far been one of the most complicating things to understand and master. Took us about a week to realize that the Indian head bob is not a definitive yes, or a no, but more of a yes/maybe/we'll try. No one tells you no here (except rickshaw drivers when you ask for too low of a price). The answer is usually yes, but it doesnt mean it will always happen. Accompany the ambiguous yes with the Indian head nod, and its a puzzle that we've all figured out by now (Alexis has even started to use it herself). Its not like our typical forward head nod which =yes, or our typical head shake for no, but in a different plane, more like a bobble head. It was confusing at first, but now we know that when someone shakes their head, its a yes, rather than a no. For example, at breakfast, when telling them our order, "Orange juice please and coffee". Followed by the head bob, which looks like a no and then we continued to repeat orange juice 10 more times thinking they were telling us no.

Rickshaw rides: another favorite part of our trip so far. Theyve become our morning and afternoon transportation to and from the hospital. You cant help but just crack up sometimes at the craziness of the traffic and then the bumpiness of the ride, combined with up to 5 of us crammed into 1 auto rickshaw, hanging on for dear life. A couple rides in particular have been memorable. Some where the driver is blasting indian music as they slam on and off the breaks and we're all sitting in the back with our heads just going back and forth. Today, we took a rickshaw, in the worst traffic, the hottest heat, Alexis hanging out the side bar, and just stop and go traffic. Its so different than anything we will ever experience in the US but is so much fun, such a different way to travel. Definitely one of my favorite parts of the day.

The power outages: a daily occurrence. Not quite sure why, but power outages are very common here. At first, a bit alarming, especially during inopportune moments (i.e. the 3 times Shivani has been mid-shower when everything goes black). Or mid-Twilight movie, all crammed in bed, anticipating the next cheesy line, and then everything goes black and then we all just start cracking up. Dinner on the roof top, and the power goes out 3 times in one dinner, and we now just keep on going with our conversation while not being able to see one another.

We've all learned now to lock our door after asking housekeeping to deliver something to the room as there seems to be no knocking protocol, but more of a general entrance policy. Unfortunately learned while putting on pajamas as housekeeping just starts opening the door to deliver towels as i'm hiding behind the door half dressed. Phone conversations become interesting when ordering things. For example, ordering tea and hot water and they show up with tea and bottled water. Or Jen asking for a floor towel and yelling into the phone "Floor mat! Like on the ground!" Not sure if they actually brought it.

One of my favorite moments was our Reliance Worldwide experience. After finding a high-speed reliance internet, we asked if they had high-speed computers and video cameras. After being told yes, Shivani, Caitlyn and I all bought a package of 15hrs for 100 rupees. Come back later that day (saturday), no cameras set up and the computers are slow as mud. Okay. He promises us to come back on Monday, internet will be fast, cameras will be working. Okay, come back on tuesday. Internet STILL slow, no cameras set up, ask him to help, he doesn't, then tells us we can use the camera in his office. Well at this point, Shivani and I have now gotten mad (which is never good). We decide to ask for our money back and to remove our names from their system. Shivani and I storm to the desk and she just takes it away. "You promised us high-speed internet - its slow. You promised us cameras and microphones - they're still not working. You lied! We want our money back". And I just stand there, nodding in agreeance and reiterating "Yea! We want our money back". Finally terrifying the manager, he just whips out his own wallet, gives us each 100 rupees and we leave defiant and feeling satisfied.

Tomorrow we pack up and leave for Mamallapuram, not sure what to expect seeing as though our hotel said "oh no reservations need, everything is open, just come!" Then we head to Chennai for 2 days before our trip to Goa!