New Things I Learned About India: From Culture to History

Early this morning, a friend came over to give us some gifts 'pasalubong' from India. She was sent there for work and stayed in Bangalore. Wanting to go to India myself, I took the chance and asked her a question or two about India. It did confirm some misconceptions and busted a myth or two. From our short talk, I have concluded that India is a country that is rich in culture.


1) Two Taj Mahals
I was surprised! While we all know that there is a white Taj Mahal, it was the first time I heard of a black one.

Mughal emperor Shah Jahan promised his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal (mothered fourteen children of Shah Jahan), that he would build a grand monument in her memory. This is the reason Taj Mahal was built. Not only that, it was also said that he built a black Taj Mahal constructed across the river Yamuna connected via a bridge as a tomb for Shah Jahan.

She wasn't able to go to that part of India but the story was from a local. After she told me that, I immediately went to search for images and found close to none (Other than some graphical representations like the one below)

It might have looked like the one above if it were real but it wasn't. Sorry for keeping your hopes up but like me, at least now, I know that this will remain a myth, unless a black Taj Mahal would be hidden elsewhere.

2) Product and Price Control
She told me that it's also very hard to acquire even prepaid sim cards there in India unless you're a local. To get hold of one, they asked the help of a local resident to help them get local sims.

Details printed at the back of the packaging

1 - If it's green, it's vegetarian friendly. It will be red otherwise.
2 - Ideal temperature for the product.
3 - Since they have no expiration dates MM/DD/YY type, they have this. "Best before X months from packaging.' Manufacturing date is usually indicated as well.
4 - Price is also usually indicated at the back. Conversion rate is Php0.75 = Rs 1.00

..and, they also make chocolates for Her Majesty the Queen! All products with this emblem simply means that H.M. the Queen wants/ uses this product in her palace.

3) Transportation
Where she stayed, cabs can only be booked by phone, buses doesn't have A/C and Rickshaws are a plenty! It's similar to Thailand's tuktuk. Like Vietnam, they also have a lot of motorcycles.

4) Dirty Water
In her office bathroom, the loo's water was well, dark. Near black in other words. You sometimes wouldn't know if you've already flushed it! In her hotel, water isn't like that so I don't know how they segregate the water.

In terms of drinking water, a bottle of around 500ml costs around 7.50 pesos. They have there 2 major distributor of bottled water. One is Coca-Cola and the other is Pepsi Co.

6) Religious Culture
Even in Catholic churches, you have to remove your foot wear. They usually have lockers (some paid, some complimentary) where you can leave your shoes for safe keeping.
Hinduism is India's majority religion

7) Considered Sacred: Ears
India is a highly conservative nation. You can't simply touch of hug them as welcome like in other countries. You cannot also touch their ears as it is considered sacred. When you step on someone, you have to say sorry by doing a certain action. No idea why but this is what they are used to.

Also, cows are sacred for them too. You can see cows roaming around the city and cars avoid them! But FYI, cars do not avoid crossing humans! They avoid cows.

8) Spicy Food (everywhere!)
The only similar tasting food they have in their McDonalds there compared to here in the Philippines is the chicken nuggets. They serve burgers but veggie burgers. As with KFC, they only serve spicy chicken (and their gravy is salsa-like) and in other restaurants the plain-est of rice is still spicy!

A few to zero restaurants serve meat and the hotel they stayed in had buffet breakfast. The closest to meat they get are bacon strips. They mostly serve continental breakfast. Seafoods is very rare in India. The rivers and surrounding water are very polluted.

Well, after this short talk, it made me reconsider my "wanting" to go to India. Deep inside, I know I still want but I might want to have a tour arranged by a reputable company rather than arranging my own. Again, India is a country rich in culture. They have preserved it and visiting India is more than just looking at the sites and spots. More than trying out the food. It's about being immersed in a culture that you are not used to. Can't wait for my chance to visit that place!


Cheftonio
PS. Liked the post? Subscribe to my blog by typing in your email below. You'll get my posts in your inbox via email.

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

-->