Two mornings ago we ate breakfast and gathered to go to the police station to register with them or something. Viji (the program advisor and all around awesome guy) told us that only 25 people could come at a time so he read off a list of those coming with him. I didn’t get picked. A group of unpicked people and I went off to exchange some currency, get a cell phone, and get power adapters. At the phone store we were told that we should come back in an hour or so, so we decided to go to a bazaar and get some cool Indian clothes. On the way we met a guy named Viki – he just came up to us and asked if we needed directions. He didn’t want any money or anything from us, just to practice his English. So he hung out with us and led the way to the bazaar. On the walk with Viki, a guy was walking about the same pace as us, and befriended me. His name was VJ. So we had two Indian tour-guides lending their experience and knowledge to us. At the bazaar they just hung out, and were there for advice when needed. I bargained a lot for my kurta, and got it down from 2500 rupees, which is about $55, to 1800, which is about $35. Great success! I also helped a few friends with their haggling. After the bazaar was the search for power adapters, and then instead of going back to the original phone place, VJ took us to a place that he said was very cheap and very good. Half the group went with this store, and the other half went to the original phone store. Viki and VJ told us the way back to the YWCA, where the group slumped to the marble floor trying to cool their overheated bodies.
Later after lunch, Viji took a bunch of us apartment-hunting. The area that the apartments are in is totally different than the area we’re currently in, so it was kinda cool to see where we will be living for 5 months. They were all pretty much the same, but a bunch of people all seem to want the same one, so I’m not looking forward to people fighting over the same apartment. Speaking of the people on the trip, everyone, and I mean EVERYONE on this trip is awesome. I mean, how can you sign up to go to India for 6 months and not have a sense of adventure? I haven’t met a person who’s not down to travel, experience, and take risks. I foresee little to no conflict within the group, and that makes me so happy. My face hurts from smiling so much.