[Hello--I am Susan Walker, Hansi Tripe's cousin and Rob Tripe's cousin-in law. Since I have no exciting trip planned for 2014, I thought I'd make a blog out of Hansi and Rob's emails and photos to all their friends and relatives. The pair are experiencing India for the second time and loving it all over again and the blog will allow them to review their trip when over and to share it with all. ]
Hi all--
Today was the first day of our marketing tour for the week, Ludhiana and Khanna. I won't belabour the marketing part (see past e-mails) other than to say we "bagged" five students for the programs which more than paid for the trips. On a daily basis we only saw a handful of students (or none at all) so we're picking up the dregs, I would say.
Anyway, the trips through the countryside, small villages and larger towns were full of the (un)usual sights and I've included a few pix: the furnishers putting their wares right out on the street, the lemonade stand, the vendors in an intersection (sorry for the reflection of my shirt off the window glass in the vehicle) and, to boot, I didn't even notice the elephant near the bus stand until after I got back and uploaded the photos to my computer! As I say, every day brings another story.
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| Furniture for sale at streetside |
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| Bus stop with elephant that didn't register until after I got home and took a look at my photos |
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| Lemonade Stand |
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| Vendors |
We stopped at a McDonalds for brekky and I took some photos of the menus since some of you has asked. Pretty much they are self-explanatory although when they say "sausage", the patties are made with chicken, not pork etc. Also, Indian spices are added to just about every sandwich - not necessarily a bad thing but the sandwiches are not great to begin with (all of the chicken patties are gross) except for the McPaneer Royale which I had. I was going to go for an egg something but last week Meenakshi had the McPaneer and it looked pretty good. The coffee is OK, the same as we'd get in Canada and not instant. As you can see from the gang ordering, the interior is the same os we're used to. On the whole, I'd rather stop at an Indian Dhaba (roadside restaurant), have a parantha and chai and get stared at by all and sundry.
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| McDonald's Choices |
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| McDonald's choices including the McPaneer |
By the way, you either get used to being stared at quite openly or wear a full-on burka to shroud yourself or you get on a plane and go home. The staring is not rude, just open curiosity in much the same way that a child will stare at someone or something. After a few days you stop noticing, the same as you stop noticing cows and bulls along the roads and munching grass in your neighbourhood.
Rob
