Hole-E Sheyit, I'm In India

Ok.

India is very different than anywhere I've ever been. I thought it might be similar to Africa but I was dead wrong. It's richer but at the same time, there is massive poverty. You feel the pressure of 1 billion people at all times everywhere around you. The driving here makes driving in Africa look like a Sunday whimsy. The people begging assault you (no really, this lady had a stick in her hand and pelted me in the shin. Not as effective as you might think). Cows roam the street because they are sacred. The Internet cafe I'm in right now is blaring "Thriller". There are so many older people here than in Africa. Because we are so ashamed of our elderly in America and ship them to nursing homes and what not, I would say that you see way more elderly people here in India. Speaking of...

When I checked into the hotel, with hot water by the way, I had been up for 28 hours and was desperate for a nap. I took a big doze and woke up in the evening. I realized it would be a good idea to get cash out of the ATM (by the way, they have Ben Kingsly all over their currency here) before I left the next day. I asked the porter and he said that there was a citibank outside just to the left. I started walking and 20 minutes and 10 terrible directions later, I officially was lost. As I was asking this one guy a man that looked about 65 got off a bus. He said he could help me and I took a good look at him and used my judgement. He introduced himself as "Percy Lazurus, Risen From The Dead". His English was pretty good and he would break into gospel songs every now and again. We both agreed that Jesus was pretty cool and for the first time since I started reading it, knowing part of the bible ended up being useful. Percy Lazurus Risen For The Dead was actually 76 years old and just about as cute an angel I could have asked for.

We walked all around Chennai for about an hour and finally found the ATM. I got my money and afterwards he took me for some sweets, which are a pretty big deal here. I had this stuff called Mysore milk bars...oh my god...it's so...GOOD. I bought some stuff for him and his wife Matilda, (hey, thats a nice name, Bethany, think about it, Matilda Bean, Matilda, Matty, Mats, Tilda, Silly Matilly?) for helping and it made me happy to do it, because I knew he wasn't especially rich. I got some new sandals and we ducked into a little restaurant for a cool drink. After that I said goodbye to Percy Lazerus Risen From The Dead, and thanked him for being my first friend in India.

This place is crazy and it's wonderful. I'd heard it described as looking at the most beautiful thing along side the ugliest thing. I'm beginning to understand that, but that understanding will only grow and grow. I still don't have a ticket to Nepal? That has me a little worried but a wise man here told me that 90% of the things we worry about never happen. I like that. I'll write more soon and I'll put some pictures up too, I promise. Be good.

Nathan