Getting the Hang O' Thangs

I’m feeling more competent here day by day. I’ve taken the bus by myself several times now and am getting familiar with the routes. The 70 runs north-south and the 26 runs east-west. I also know what times of day it’s less crowded than others and am planning accordingly. Also, I had my first train ride on Saturday when my co worker took me to an outside bazzar right next to a mall. Talk about old and new on top of each other! On the way there the train was way crowded, we let two trains pass us by before we got on the third one because we didn’t want to be hanging off the side like many others were doing. It’s kinda like the Metro- going into DC from Bethesda is crowded in the morning. But, it made a nice ride back because the train was about empty (the equivalent of DC to Bethesda in the morning)! I needed a nice suit for a presentation I have next Saturday and I got a really nice one tailored for about 80 bucks! Not bad. I’ve been watching haggling take place and think I’m getting that too! The market itself was wild, lots of people, sights and sounds and it felt like all the stereotypes you hear about India rolled into one. I’m starting to ‘get it’ and really like it here, work’s going well, I’m learning the customs and culture, a little Tamil, and feel comfortable going out and about on my own. I think I’m going to take an autorickshaw (3 wheeler) today to an expat hangout, it should require some haggling with the driver but I’m feeling up to it. In general the people here are so friendly and nice and don’t seem to bat an eye at a westerner in their mix, even though I have yet to see another one the entire time I’ve been here. I guess I feel like I’m fitting in the best I can and that’s making everything here better!