goodbai

peace out to mumbai. it has been chaotic and beautiful and sickening. our hotel room was a complete dump. the food here is incredible. heterosexual men hold hands while walking down the street, but women don't, nor do men and women. on indian TV, they often speak in a mix of hindi and english. there's a huge focus here on becoming lighter, many beauty products are for fairer skin, and every TV celebrity is very fair. today, melina got points for "best yogi" for KILLING A FLYING BEETLEBUG IN OUR ROOM, and not even screaming or telling me about it until later. i got a couple of points for remembering sunscreen and being in charge of the lonely planet india navigation. in restaurants, it's rude to serve yourself from the pots put down in front of you--you should call a waiter over to serve it for you. today we approached the internet cafe and it was full of what lookedl ike smoke. we feared that our connection to our homeland had burned down, but alas, it was only toxic mosquito spray. now, on to ellora and ajanta, where we'll see ancient buddhist and hindu cave temples. we're staying in a "cottage." A custard apple looks like an artichoke but is creamy and sweet inside, reminded me of a mango, and Melina of a fruit she had eaten in Puerto Rico. (I think she's talking about a mango).