Week 1: Crossing (and shopping, peeing, and eating) in the Street

Week 1...

BSM

So I have officially survived my first week in Bangalore, India.  I have finally met all 18 of my students and like each and every one of them!  I am teaching violin, directing junior

orchestra, and playing and helping out the senior orchestra at the Bangalore School of Music.  I've condensed my

schedule to working only Thursday through Sunday to allow for other personal activities or travel.  I am amidst trying to find a Karnatic violin teacher.  The genre is fascinating to me and I feel that learning a new, Eastern style would help broaden my musical perspective and deepen my musical intuition.  

The APT

Living with Rebecca and Tara is gre

at! Our apt is centrally located and I finally have m

y own room!  Unlike the one on the ship, this one has windows and ceilings higher than those of a dungeon.  What more could a girl want!  We've split up our cooking and cleaning and have a good apt dynamic going on.  We recently have an ant problem but thanks to our little house geckos, our mosquito count is staying at a minimum.  

The Joy of "Autos"

It is to be determined whether it's safer to be walking in the street, or in an auto-rick-shaw in the street.  Autos are like India's taxis, but they are much more like giant scooters with a covering.  You can fit two people comfortably, but this does not stop Indians from cramming 3, 4 or 5 people into the tiny backseat.  As well, you thought scooters were for 2 people max? Nope, you can fit your family of 4!  

The autos tend to rip Westerners off if you don't look like you know what you are doing.

Luckily Rebecca has taught young grasshopper the ways of auto talk, and thanks to my Korean roots, I can sometimes pass for North Indian! especially when I have my kurtis on! (no image available...next posting)

So although I am still getting used to crossing the street (there seems to be no system to the madness; motto is "go go GO NOW! me 1st! *honk, honk, honk!*), I think I am finally settling in after a week.  I just registered with the police today (you know, because I am such a law-breaker).  

    

I am learning everything here can be a fiasco 

but there is no sense in worrying or being pissed off.  Just have to go with the Indian flow...or chaos.  People have been really generous here and because Bangalore is such an international IT city, I've been meeting people from all over.  I feel that coming here was a good decision and it doesn't hurt than I can eat a meal for under $1.00.