A Walk Through Town

Carrie, Tiff and I went to the internet. :) and then Tiff and I left Carrie and went to the fruit + veggie market to get groceries. After lunch, I thought, “hey, we let Carrie walk home by herself, I want to go on a walk by myself.” So off I went down the road toward the market.

I felt so free and wonderfully alone, as I walked passed various shops selling clothes, shoes, food, books, tires, pots and pans. I thought to myself, “hum, what do I need to buy?” Then I remembered I need a glasses case, since mine was stolen 4 weeks ago, along with my contact solution, and Andrea’s make-up bag.

I stopped at a pharmacy and asked the younger looking guy if he knew of an eye doctor. I pointed back the way I had come, “go, 1, 2 roads, left side.” I walked to first intersection, and asked a school-aged kid (there’s a bigger chance that the younger ones know English from school). He pointed the way I was going, so I continued. I walked a little more and then asked someone else. I felt so Indian. Unlike Americans, Indians are not afraid to ask directions…in fact they tend to do it a little excessively…but why not make sure you’re still going the right direction?

At last I asked someone and they said, “next shop.” Ah, there it was! I greeted the shop-owner “Namastay.” and asked if he had a glasses case. Apparently the correct title is “box.” He handed one to me. “Kiti?” (how much?) “no charge.” What?! Is this not India?? Since when was anything free?? I had fully expected to be asked a ridiculous price, and was semi-prepared to barter down at least a few ruipees, to make myself feel not so ripped off.

This event was going so well, that I pressed my luck. “Do you have contact solution?” I said, pointing to my eyes. The man reached up to the top shelf, dusted off the box and there it was Renu Contact Solution, all in English. Life does not get much better than that :) It cost $6, which is not bad, and now I don’t need to borrow Carrie’s contact solution anymore, which is good, because on Thurs she’s going to Agra and I’m going to Vnsi, so we would have a problem.

I am very proud of myself for a successful adventure. I feel more confident in my ability to survive in this culture :)