INDIA-ISMS
I've given a name to the wild and wacky things that go on around me in India.
India-isms!!!
Warning, do not read this blog while eating!
Today's India-ism is about GROCERY SHOPPING in Gurgaon.
Grocery stores in India are predominately Indian groceries (as they should be!) which includes isles of dahl, rice and spices, a produce department that looks like last weeks produce trash (for a culture that's over half vegetarian, their produce is not only limited in variety, but very pathetic looking) and a meat room that reaks complete with a butcher that uses the same knife for chicken, fish and whatever else he's cutting up and then he slides the knife down between the wall and the countertop when not in use. No telling what kind of bacteria he's got growing back there!!! A few places here and there carry imported products from Australia, France and the US. These items are not all in one location and IF you can find what you need, after 2 to 3 different shops, you're going to pay 3 to 4 times the price back home. A quick trip to the grocery store for a few "imported" items can end up taking me most of the day, as none of these grocery stores are close to each other and traffic is...well, another India-ism for another day!
I hate to mention that it is not uncommon to see a cute little mouse run across the isle at the grocery stores. I shudder to think what their warehouses and back rooms must look like! But worse than the little mice scurrying around, let me tell you what happen to me last week.
I was standing in one of the isles waiting for the clerk to bring me a case of bottled water (Necessary for even brushing your teeth here. Tap water is ONLY for bathing!) When I felt something hit my head. I was about to look up to see if the ceiling was leaking, when I felt "IT" moving. I quickly ran my fingers through my hair and shook my head and much to my horror a COCKROACH fell to the floor and scurried away! Joel asked me if it was an American Cockroach. I told him, I failed to ask him where he was from. So Joel asked if he had a stripe down his back at which I replied "Joel, I was too busy freaking out inside to get intimate with the little guy!"
It's amazing with everything I've seen that we manage to muster up an appetite, but don't worry, we're eating here without any difficulties! I hired an excellent housekeeper that enjoys cooking for us two nights a week (always Indian, YUM!) and I manage to scare up dinners for the rest of the week. On the odd occasion when the kitchen's closed we have KFC and Dominos Pizza just down the road and there's always McDonald's (but we haven't been that desperate yet!).
