what a hodgepodge of things to say.

first off, i still can’t believe it, but i didn’t get sick…at all!  my stomach churned for a day, but all settled well in the end, even after finding out it wasn’t mutton kebabs, but goat kebabs.  yeah, i know.

after getting my haircut today for the first time (at an expensive place for $3 rather than 50¢ on the street), i stopped by cafe turtle for a bite to eat.  the cafe turtle in khan market is one of my favorites and is by far one of the best bookshops around.  but this location is a somewhat hidden location in nizamuddin east market, a few blocks from my language school.  i was in between classes, so decided to get my haircut and grab lunch.  i wasn’t planning on splurging, but it happens.  i opted for the falafel and hummus wrap, a glass of fresh pomegranate juice, some coconut water straight out of the coconut, and a banana lhassi.

i’ve had a few “classic india moments”.  today definitely had some.  i was the only customer in the barber shop and the cafe the entire time i was there.  while getting my haircut, there were 5 guys sitting around, all wearing uniforms, all employed, but doing nothing.  there was only one designated cutter.  the others sat and watched or poured chai, or did nothing at all.  this is very common.  the work force is huge.  there are hundreds of millions of people needing employment.  but as is, there is sometimes very little to do.

at the cafe a person would come in every 5 minutes, i thought a potential customer, but then they would go to the back and reemerge with a uniform and apron on.  this happened the entire time i was there.  when i first sat down there must have been 3 people working.  by the time i left there were at least 9.  there were no other customers anywhere to be found, at all, whatsoever.  nada.  this is common.  workers everywhere doing nothing.  how many people were involved in making my banana lhassi?

karsh kale.  this is why i love big cities.  you don’t have to plan things, they just happen, because there is enough activity, enough life, enough energy, that exciting things come your way without you even trying.  i was invited to go out to this club Manre on friday night at the last minute to hear some DJ.  i decided to pull myself together and go and wouldn’t you know the DJ was Karsh Kale himself.  the same DJ who spun tracks all night long at my India Party last August (compliments of iTunes).  for all of you who loved that party, imagine standing next to him for an hour while he spun tracks in front of you.  live.  i was that close.  it was great.  and the people were beautiful.  all trendy.  all hip and cool.  all indian.  only in the city.

dancing the night away with these hipsters came after spending the late afternoon arguing over the price of a bed for my new barsati.  i’m finally moving into my new place tomorrow.  and i went from store to store at the panchkuian furniture market underneath the metro searching for a bed or sofa-bed or anything to make my new place livable and sleepable.  after receiving quotes of upwards to Rs. 16,000 and saying time and time again that i wouldn’t pay the “gora” price (aka gringo), i emerged victorious with a bed and a mattress and delivery for only Rs. 3,300.  this is after asking the man what he would charge his own dear brother.  i didn’t get the brotherly price, and it was probably still a ripoff, but i made out ok.  i also picked up my linens, towels, blankets, you name it, from lajpat nagar, some of which had Marshall’s tags on them - guess they never got shipped!

so all in all a long productive day.  i move tomorrow.  and for sam, and others, i will post photos with fewer words next time around.