As we begin the countdown to our departure from India for summer break (only 8 more days!), we realize how far we have come in the past 7 months. We have noticed that our perspectives have gradually shifted and we've picked up a few new habits.
You know you've been in India too long when...
... Off! Deep Woods is your signature scent.
... You start to plan vacation destinations based on food cravings and medical facilities available in your destination country.
... You look forward to days when the temperature drops below 100 degrees.
... You carry an airplane sickness bag in your purse, just in case.
... You actually use one of those bags for its intended purpose (but not on an airplane).
... It feels normal to ride in a taxi in the middle of the double yellow lines and you don't flinch when an oncoming vehicle swerves at the last second to avoid a collision.
... You would win (at least) a bronze medal if sprinting to the toilet was a new Olympic event.
... You do all your shopping on the taxi ride home, buying items only from street peddlers through your taxi window.
... You get excited about eating beef or Mexican food.
... You sign up for a pharmacy membership card to save 10% on your weekly antibiotic and probiotic purchases.
... You wash down your antibiotic pills with a probiotic drink.
... You name the street dogs that you see every day and you have the urge to bring them home as pets.
... You no longer search for a garbage can in public places and you automatically throw trash on the nearest trash pile at your feet.
... You lose fifteen pounds on the new "parasite" diet.
... Your new pastime is cloud-gazing whenever you travel outside of the Delhi haze. You had forgotten how BLUE the sky really is.
... You wildly wave your hand out of the window or honking your horn when you are turning because you realize it's much more effective than using a turn signal.
... You answer to "sir" or "madam" without a second thought (or you answer to Karim or Karan if your name is Karen).
... You see a stoplight as "just a suggestion" warning you to be aware of approaching cars, buses, or motorbikes as you go through an intersection.
... You get excited about finding a prepaid autorickshaw stand so you don't have to argue about their broken meter or be overcharged by $1-2.
... You walk down the street and have the urge to call out in a melodic tone "bananas and melons" like the street vendors do.
... You instinctively step over trash, dirt piles, potholes, and sleeping street dogs when walking in a local market without even looking down.
... You have a staring contest with the Indian person in the car next to your taxi at a stoplight.
... You sit under the A/C unit after blow drying your hair until all the sweat on your face and scalp evaporates.
And finally... You know you've been in India too long when...
... You start doing the Indian head bobble/nod.
