We've been touring around Delhi (and working of course!) but in addition to that, we've been adding in some extra activities. I think we may be having too much fun here!
Fresh Coconut Water
We have been seeing so many coconut stands on the side of the road in Delhi! The man at the stand has a huge blade to slice open the coconut and carve out the "meat", or to cut off the top and serve coconut water! I usually love shredded coconut, so I was expecting the meat to taste like that, but instead it tasted just like a chewy almond.He gave us slices from one coconut, then got a different coconut (not ripe yet- so the juice hasn't turned into meat), scraped off the outside brown part, cut off the top, put a straw in it, and handed the overflowing coconut to me! Rianne and I didn't know that Roxana took some pictures when we were trying to figure it how this all worked haha we were so intrigued!
Chalene and Shaun T
Since we don't have a gym membership in Delhi, Rianne brought her workout videos and our recently purchased speakers so we could work out. Turbo Jam and Turbo Fire with Chalene is the best kickboxing, dancing, cardio workout video and Insanity with Shaun T is basically boot camp where we die. Thanks to these videos Rianne and I worked out every day after rearranging my room into a big empty space.
Family Movie Night
Each night after work, we all gathered on Rianne and Roxana's bed to watch a movie. It was something exciting to look forward to during the work week, and from Rianne's great iTunes movie collection, we have been enjoying some popcorn and classics (and knowning me...I probably haven't seen them anyways). I have seen Slumdog Millionaire, but we watched it again here and it has competely changed the way I see India. When I originally watched the movie, I didn't pick up on so many details in each scene that portray India so well! It was filmed in Mumbai, so there were a lot of places (including our apartment complex) we recognized. I want to watch it again when I get home to show people how real and true some of it is! And we've been enjoying some chick flicks- 500 Days of Summer, He's Just Not That Into You; and the gorey ones (Roxana's choice)- The Departed and Gladiator.
Transformers 3
Even though we are across the country, we didn't miss the opening night of Transformers 3! It was actually my first time going to the movies even though the other girls have gone a few times already. It seems like the theater is the place to be in India! It is also only 250 rupees for 3-D ($5) so that made me want to come to the movies all the time. I've written this in an old post but when you buy your ticket you get an assigned seat in the theater. The movie starts immediately (no previews), the chairs recline back and slide forward to fully stretch out, there is an intermission (when they show the previews) and offer you tea- but Rianne and I preferred Gelato haha. They also serve their popcorn in the worst way. Instead of popping the popcorn in the machine and leaving it in there until they scoop it out for the customer, after it is popped they scoop out all the popcorn in bags and line it up. Then, when we got it it was cold and already stale from sitting out. The movie was great, minus Rosie Huntignton-Whiteley. Ok who casted her? Yes she is the most beautiful girl in the world, but she couldn't kick butt like Megan Fox while she was running around in her stilettos.Besides that, the special effects in 3D were awesome.
4th of July at the U.S. Embassy
The U.S. Embassy hosted a party for the 4th of July! I thought we may get to go inside the embassy, but it was held outsie. THere were food vendors, booths, arts and crafts tables, bounce houses, a live band, dance floor, bar, pie eating contests, tug-a-war, fireworks, and lots of red, white, and blue decorations. AMERICA!! There were probably around 500 people there from interns like us visiting to families who live in India. We also painted a flower pot for our care takers like the USA flag, which they loved.
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Tandoori
Tandoori barbeque is the best food in India! It is usually a boneless chicken or mutton (goat or lamb) barbequed on a skewer and then served alone or in a roll wrapped like a skinny burrito. It comes with lots of onions and a creamy white sauce called chutney. We went to Karim's, voted one of the best restaurants in Asia in Times Magazine and had the best tandoori. We have learned to stay away from the "curries and gravies" because those are the dishes drenched in thick sauce. The waiter at Karim's was amazing at staking plates- I've never seen anything like it! He didn't have a tray or anything, just held one plate in his hand and stacked about 20 more on top.
Shopping
We have done some serious shopping in Delhi. We went to a Dilli Haat, which is a flea market featuring arts and crafts from local villages. Janpath, a long street in New Delhi filled with small touristy shops had all the souvenirs we've been looking for! We have gotten really good at haggling with the shop keepers to get a good bargain. We also went to the 23rd Mango Festival, another Dilli Haat, which had more crafts and 400 different species of mangos.
Kingfisher Flights
Domestic flights in India are slightly differnt than in the U.S. Instead of two security/ticket checks (before entering the terminal and before getting on the plane) there are 6: at the door into the airport, the usual metal detector and x-ray machine, frisked, a ticket check at the gate, a bag check (making sure we have flight tags on all our our carry on bags and purses), and FINALLY ripping the ticket at the door of the plane! Before the plane takes off, some scented spray like Febreeze automatically sprays out above the overhead storage. During the flight (even an hour long) they serve drinks, a full Indian meal, and tea.
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