Zoe: "Do you believe in Santa Claus?"

Indian boy: "Oh, yes. And do you believe in George Bush?"

(No, he was dead serious.)

Computer is kaput. In India, Apple is a fruit, so I may have problems finding someone to fix it. It's like losing a part of home, and I'm very sad....hard drive is intact, though.

Eating lunch with Indians:
I've started eating lunch with the teachers when I visit the other home on Wednesdays and Fridays. It's ridiculous for them to prepare massive amounts of "Western food" just for me. My eating "real Indian food" is a source of much amusement for them. They think I might die because the food is too "chilly" or "pungent" (I think they're referencing that there are chilis in the dish....and it just so happens that "chilly" means cold). When they asked me what kind of Indian foods I like and I referenced a street food (Pani Puri---it's delicious and I'm going to make millions opening a Pani Puri street cart in Portland), one said, "You ate Pani Puri at Daddy's Home?" "No, in the village." This was proceeded by several looks of shock, to which I replied, "Yes, I'm a brave American."
That's right. We have Obama AND we can eat spicy food. And be spread the joy of capitalism all over the world. The question is, what CAN'T we do?!


Cinema in Vijayawada:
Pros:
-Way cheap compared to American movie theaters. It doesn't cost you your first born child to buy popcorn.
-It makes the kids so, so happy to do something!
-Telugu movie (who can resist a movie with elements of action, suspense, comedy, romance AND dancing and singing?!--the only American films were scary movies that I wasn't about to watch.)

Cons:
-Goose bump inducing air conditioning (SO COLD!)
-Loud enough for Beethoven to hear, lying deaf and dead his grave.
-The finale was a man tearing off another man's leg. But is that really a con? Or just a traumatizing cinematic experience?