Brittany Spears and the Jughead special

Cow count is at 121.
Cultural observances:

1) We eat with our hands, which is in my experience the only energy efficient way to eat rice known to man. No offense to anyone, but chopsticks suck compared to fingers.
2) Indians are prone to using the word Hello, pronouced "Hallo," in the same way that we use hey. That is to say it doubles as an indignant interjection (as in"Hallo! you just stepped on my toe.) and a greeting.
3) everything is funnier with an Indian accent...
"When we going to start! Jesus-Christ-Superstar!"
"I just did it to get my jollies"
"De Girlfriend is vacco"
guess you had to be there...
4) In the Foyer to the house we are staying in one wall is windows, two house ornate statues of Hindu gods and the fourth has a Thomas Kincade painting in gilded frame.
5) The regional governor is celebrating his birthday and has the city decorated with 30 ft. images of himself made of Christmas lights and wire. I'll be sure to take a picture of these cause they're awesome.
6) I attract a whole lot of stares... i'm the only non indian i've seen outside the airport. Yesterday during an auto-rickshaw ride a guy next to us on his motorcycle pointed me out to his little boy (also on the motorcycle, its common for children, even whole families to get around on a single bike). The facial patterns of the kid followed a pattern i've come to expect: Wide eyed wonder quickly replaced by a solemn strait face the minute he realizes i'm looking at him, which slowly cracks into a open hearted smile. At this point I waved and he waved and then was gone careening through traffic.
7) Indians don't nod up and down but side to side... make the sign for infinity with your nose and thats about it. this means yes, maybe, and occasionally no.

How I avoided Laser guided Lava sharks:

I didn't really. Just wanted a title that would draw you in. sorry mom.
So yesterday was a great day...
We have been taking it pretty slow, things should intensify work wise as our meetings begin to schedule and happen. Had a really great lunch with Teju's Great Aunt and Uncle. They were gracious, generous, and after lunch we had a fascinating talk about the cultural changes that came about when the British left, the current state of government, and local politics.
Yesterday night I was introduced to the Jughead special, which is probably the most delicious type of milkshake like fruit drink in the history of milk, fruit, or drinks. Yumminess, had over silly and fun conversation with Harini (Teju's cousin) and her friend Dar Shena (misspelled). Brittany Spears and other sleazy american 90's pop was playing in the Ice Cream shop. We then played a game that I can only describe as Indian Finger pool called carrom, and of course Uno until about 2 AM. Very enjoyable evening.

Today we have a meeting scheduled with the director of the Madras Institute of Development Studies, and tomorrow a meeting with a man in the rural development department of the state government. Both of these are very promising to our research.
Love to all,
MDK