Flying the American Flag

This one deserves a blog of its own!

May it be known that my Annie (Jill to the rest of you) is proud to be an American.

First, let me set it up...

Experienced travelers to India are sure to tell you that table manners mean to be appreciative of the food (duh), to take as many seconds and thirds as you can handle (the Indians are very proud of their food...to like it is to like them), to eat with your fingers (seriously? Yes, seriously), and to eat only with your right hand (now, that' not so obvious, and no one is very anxious to explain it). "Well" they say, "Its because you do other things w/ your left hand." Like what, the detail oriented person wants to know? "You'll figure it out", they reassure you. So, at least one curious question in on your mind as you touch down on S. Asian soil.

The answer begins to take form when you notice that bathrooms are absent toilet paper...

So, what do they use? You guessed it...the left hand. Now, to be fair to our advisers, they did suggest taking an ample supply of TP, but they didn't warn that it would come w/ stigma. The Indians think that the use of toilet paper is dirty, and that their procedure for the use of the bare hand and water is more sanitary....(I'm sorry, as I know that's way too much for some of you, but hang in there. I promise you'll laugh). So, the upshot is that we westerners HIDE the fact that we have TP w/ us, because THEY think it is DIRTY!

So, we sneak it around, hide it in suitcases, briefcases, and purses....and that's where the fun begins.

Yesterday, Jill and Aila (our traveling companion and invaluable guide) went shopping at one of Indore's biggest and busiest malls. All was well until they exited the front doors. Jill unzipped her purse to retrieve her sunglasses, but they weren't the only thing that wanted relief from the confines her purse. Yep, you guessed it, Old Glory (the completely white-striped version) came rolling out, down the steps to the amazement of all the onlookers, and the horror of my dainty and discreet wife. Secret revealed! Another DIRTY American in their midst.

Well, the milliseconds it took her to realize what happened and to retrieve the invaluable squares of soft cloth seemed like an eternity; her most famous moments on Indian soil emblazoned into the minds of the natives.

Big smiles everyone! Hope you enjoyed that tale about how some of the world cares for their tails.

Jeff