The first 40 (hours)

I have been in India for a whopping 40 hours so far, it might as well have been 40 days for how homesick I am already feeling. Despite all the claims everyone has been making about how modern India is, it definitely is not feeling like the United States in the 21st century, I'm not even sure that it feels like the United States circa ever. New York City feels like Missoula, Montana compared to how crowded Bombay is, I mean Mumbai (I still have yet to get the skinny on the Bombay/Mumbai issue).

The first thing I noticed when I got to work on Tuesday morning was how much taller I am than everyone else here. For those of you that know me, you know I am a towering 5'3," to compensate I like to rock the 3 to 4 inch heels at work. With the heels and properly hemmed pants I appear to be a reasonable 5'6" or 5'7." This my friends, is not very reasonable in Mumbai. In my heels I towered over all the girls in the office and was at eye level of most of the guys. In normal circumstance this would not be a big deal, I would go with it, but most people already look at me like I'm from outer space. One would think that being Indian myself, I would blend in and no one would be the wiser- this has NOT been my experience so far. I am not sure how they can tell, but everyone seems to know I am not a legit Indian (even when I am not talking).

When I am talking there is no question about it, I only get the you are from outer space look. The funny thing is even when people expect something to be said in english and I say something in english they do not seem to understand me. Today I went to lunch at the "canteen" (translation: cafeteria). I went to one of the counters and found that they had a "Cheese Sandwich" on the menu and I could see some panini presses behind the counter, so I was fairly confident that I would be getting a Grilled Cheese Sandwich... excellent! So I decide to order this, I walk directly to the counter because as I learned yesterday that there is no concept of a line or waiting in line, its more of a rush the person you want to talk to and start talking to them approach. Once at the counter I say "Cheese Sandwich" because for sure "Grilled Cheese" would have confused the guy. Adding any word "fluff," like "I would like a" or "Please" would have been a disaster. Unfortunately, "Cheese Sandwich" wasn't very much less confusing, he looked at me like I ordered something in Japanese that was not even on the menu. The exchange went as follows-

Me: Cheese Sandwich

Guy: (Confused Face)

Me: Cheese Sandwich

Guy: (Confused Face... Looks at friend)

Me: CHEESE Sandwich. (Pointing at giant sign that says Cheese Sandwich)

Friend: Cheesge Saaanndhvich

Guy: Indian head nod

After I finally managed to get my Cheesge Saaanndhvich, it turned out it wasn't half bad. The ketchup they gave me with my Cheesge Saaanndhvich was another story though!

Obviously Mumbai is not what I expected it would be like- but It's pretty entertaining so far. My hotel however, is pretty sick. This is the view from outside my window:

This is the hotel pool where I will be wilin' out this weekend. I have been checking out the pool situation every morning when I wake up and thus far I have yet to see person the first actually swimming in the pool or laying out by the pool. I have however seen lots of people cleaning the pool and the area surrounding the pool.

The picture taken from the window in my room really does not do this pool justice so check out the picture from the hotel website.

More pictures of the view from my room are on facebook.

More official pictures are on the hotel website.