News in my hood

1. EARACHE for four days. I went to my first Indian hospital. Bill: $2.50 for my doctor's fee. $2.00 for my antibiotics. A most kind country to ones like me.

2. LOCAL RIOTS. There's a river on the border between two states. So who has the water rights? After a 17 year debate it was finally decided pro Tamil Nadu. Karnataka isn't very happy (my state). On Thursday, Bangalore is having a planned strike where the whole city is shutting down. We filled up our water jugs. We're ready. Our phrase for the week: "Safer to stay inside..."

3. MY "FEELING LIKE A HOT MAMA MOMENT FOR THE DAY"

I bargained with auto-rickshaw drivers this afternoon.

"100 rupees," he said.

"100 rupees?" I exclaimed. "Are you serious? 40 rupees tops."

He starts to laugh and his auto-rickshaw driver friends come to watch. This is the best entertainment all day.

"No madam, 100 rupees, no problem."
I look at the other men standing there.

"Will you take 40?" One man shakes his head no.

"Will you?" I look at another driver. He looks at his friends, then shakes his head.

"100 rupees," smiles the first driver.

"That is too much and you know it. Is it because I'm white?"

The drivers smile and shake their heads slowly. Looking back I actually can't believe I said that. It's just the classic phrase in America, turned around from black to white.

I start to walk away.

"Ok madam, 80 rupees."

"40. Goodbye."

They probably thought I didn't know I had another option. The thing is, 40 rupees is about 90 cents. So in the midst of this conversation, I can't think about how ridiculous it all is to argue about a few cents. You understand, it's definitely the principle of the matter...

I walked down the road and found another driver.

"40 rupees?" I asked the, completely confident in my price.

"Ok."