+/- (posted by amber in varanasi)
+ devin arrives tonight in varanasi!
- at 2:30 am
- and maybe with a broken ankle
- varanasi is full of uneven streets, lacking in sidewalks (if they are there, generally obstructed) and generally a pain to get around even without a broken ankle.
+ luckily we have travel insurance
+ and bicycle rickshaws are cheap and can get us anywhere, autorickshaws a bit more.
- reaching the insurance company for more info has proved expensive -- none of the computers in town today will run skype properly (gave up after trying 6 different internet cafes). long distance from ICO phones (like payphones) to the US are expensive: .30/minute... and you know how insurance companies love to put you on hold!
+ my hindi study is going well and i love my teacher! he doesn't seem like the type to lavish false praise, so when virendraji complimented me twice i was happy! i am reading and speaking some simple sentences in hindi... 4 lessons so far (Hey KD, the few lessons you gave me many years back really helped me pick things up more quickly, thanks!)
- the guesthouse where i'm staying is on the 3rd floor (bad for my body and probably devin's), may need to move
+ but their food is excellent (and veg) and they give me 3 meals a day (if i want) for the equivalent of about $2 usd. they told me i get food bcs i am travelling as a single female, generally they don't cook for guests. we'll see what happens when devin arrives.
- the same patriarchal protectionism that gets me meals and extra assistance also comes with a fair amount of guilt (we're doing you SUCH a big favor fo you) and overbearance (you MUST do what we say or you realllllllllllllly should do what we tell you to or we will be extremely disappointed.)
+ i have not gotten food poisoning yet (knock on wood)
- but i have a bad cold.
+ no harassing servants at current guesthouse (there is only one who is a women)
- but still lots of stares and unwanted attention in the streets, especially uncomfortable at times when alone at night (not many evening/night walks for me)
- at 2:30 am
- and maybe with a broken ankle
- varanasi is full of uneven streets, lacking in sidewalks (if they are there, generally obstructed) and generally a pain to get around even without a broken ankle.
+ luckily we have travel insurance
+ and bicycle rickshaws are cheap and can get us anywhere, autorickshaws a bit more.
- reaching the insurance company for more info has proved expensive -- none of the computers in town today will run skype properly (gave up after trying 6 different internet cafes). long distance from ICO phones (like payphones) to the US are expensive: .30/minute... and you know how insurance companies love to put you on hold!
+ my hindi study is going well and i love my teacher! he doesn't seem like the type to lavish false praise, so when virendraji complimented me twice i was happy! i am reading and speaking some simple sentences in hindi... 4 lessons so far (Hey KD, the few lessons you gave me many years back really helped me pick things up more quickly, thanks!)
- the guesthouse where i'm staying is on the 3rd floor (bad for my body and probably devin's), may need to move
+ but their food is excellent (and veg) and they give me 3 meals a day (if i want) for the equivalent of about $2 usd. they told me i get food bcs i am travelling as a single female, generally they don't cook for guests. we'll see what happens when devin arrives.
- the same patriarchal protectionism that gets me meals and extra assistance also comes with a fair amount of guilt (we're doing you SUCH a big favor fo you) and overbearance (you MUST do what we say or you realllllllllllllly should do what we tell you to or we will be extremely disappointed.)
+ i have not gotten food poisoning yet (knock on wood)
- but i have a bad cold.
+ no harassing servants at current guesthouse (there is only one who is a women)
- but still lots of stares and unwanted attention in the streets, especially uncomfortable at times when alone at night (not many evening/night walks for me)