2 Lists (Portions of them)

What I’ve Learned From India

Increased ability to hold my breath while walking through “bahut badbu”

Taking a bucket shower and Handwashing clothes
Mangoes are better in South India
Maids are really nice to have.  The most I have cleaned is by putting away my laundry, after she irons it.
Saving time with bargaining by initially giving a reasonable price, sticking to it, and walking away if they don’t accept.  70% successful in not wasting my time or listening to how this is the finest quality and best price available in the whole of the city
A few hindi words and grammatical things.
How to read Hindi when its handwritten (a huge difference from the books)
Not to cry when there are no trash cans and it’s necessary to throw my trash on the street
How to pin a sari so that it will stay in place through ANYTHING
That the most naked feeling happens at the spa when you’re calves are visible to the Indian man giving you a pedicure.  I seriously almost requested a lady.
People really don’t see white ladies in saris often
How to walk alongside an Indian road within a few inches of the oncoming motorcycles, without stepping in a puddle or a cowpatty
How to cross an Indian highway calmly
I’m an Indian city girl. 
I’m more in love with Bharat than I was back home

America’s Advantages

GPS is available

Roundabouts make sense and are spread out rather than 40 in one path.

A man peeing on the sidewalk is a rare sight

You can trust that any restroom will have toilet paper and not water all over the floor
Food agrees better—not with the palate, but with the stomach
Electricity only goes off in cases of horrid weather or neighborhood construction
A hot shower can be taken even if you forgot to push the hot water heater switch
Mama lives there and she makes really good Afghan food.  I miss my qabali (and my Mama)
It’s safe…safer… to be out alone at night as a girl
Yards

If I want to talk to someone I dont have to consider the time difference

It’s okay to jog around the neighborhood
And friends and family...but you knew that.