India's curtain call

This is Mr. here.

With only 3 days left in India I have decided to return to a more reader friendly quick notes version and leave most stories for face to face. We just returned from Bandhavgarh National Park and my ultimate mission in India has been accomplished. I have seen a tiger in the wild (2 actually). Let me digress for a moment, as I am a conservationist, and say that it is very possible that these majestic animals will be extinct in the wild in 20 years. It is hard to believe that such a thing can happen now a days but there is too much pressure from people wanting land to cultivate, cattle wanting grass to graze, chinese medicine makers wanting tiger body parts and bones while Japanese, Korean, Chinese and even Westerners wanting the skins as trophies. I wonder when it will sink in that animals such as these can not be replaced and when gone are gone forever.

Anyways, on to the quick notes:

-I think our guide in Bandhavgarh said it best: "All of India is a toilet" when we said we might need the loo on our 5 hour safari. Nuff said. For details, ask us. Otherwise, let's just say that I have seen everything happen everywhere imaginable.

- Indians rarely smile in photographs.

- All Indian college students are studying to be doctors or engineers

- EVERYONE here (women included) take every opportunity to spit, hock, throat clear, and burp. It is not given a second glance and seems to be not in the least offensive.

- It is a custom for men and boys to walk down the street (or anywhere) holding hands. It is taboo for man and woman (even husband and wife) to do it. Oh, and the country is VERY homophobic.

- Women love to talk to Marci, Guys talk to me. The kicker is that as soon as I approach the women cease talking to Marci.

- There is a billion people here who own millions of cattle. Weird thing is that NO cows are eaten and they are rarely milked, if at all. Yet they are still prized possessions that simply eat up useful vegetation.

- Indians are FABULOUS hosts. There is a saying in Sanskrit (root of Hindi) to treat guests as gods - with the meaning that you never know when gods may come disguised as guests. Boy, does it show. They won't accept money, gifts or thanks but will spend every last dollar of theirs to make sure you feel at home and are fed and happy. It is a good lesson for us, and anyone really. It is something I will always take with me as often such kindness came at very needed times.

- SIDE NOTE: (Not related to India) It is thoroughly impossible for me to avoid mosquito bites.

- The whole country is crazy for cricket. One game takes 7-8 hours!!!! It is one of many remnants of British occupation readily observable here.

- The main god (Ganesh) has an elephant head and four arms, loves sweets, and has a mouse for his "vehicle" The Main goddess (Durga) has 4 arms, rides a tiger, vanquishes demons, and is married to "The Destroyer"

-SIDE STORY: On Diwali, the BIG night to pray and party (imagine July 4th crossed with Christmas) families pray to Ganesh and Lakshmi-the goddess of money and prosperity) by setting up shrines. The process involves splashing water on their idols, then placing fruits, nuts, rice, sweets, at the idols feet before lighting candles, prayng and swirling a "smoke tray" toward them.

When it was my turn I reached to far when offered the fruit and knocked over Ganesh to the horror of our hosts and to the eternal glee of my wife who has still not stopped laughing.

Next stop Paris.