One Month In

We have been in this awesome country for a month as of today. We both are still in overload in terms of work and thus the amount of India that we have experienced has been limited; mostly to our going to and from school.

The Daily Commute
Today on the way home after eating at a new South Indian restaurant with our friends Tahireh and Kevin, our auto-rickshaw (tuk-tuk or cab) driver was terrible. He took us the wrong way and then stopped halfway after he turned around trying to tell us we were at our destination. I tried to show my dissatisfaction as best I know how, paid him and then walked to another auto.

When we got in, I turned to Becky and lamented, "I really need to learn how to express when I am dissatisfied with someone." And then I saw the look that no husband wants to see.

Mouth agape. Eyebrows raised. Silence.  "I NEVER thought I would ever hear YOU say that. You know how to do that better than anyone I know!"

Hmmm.  Is that a compliment? Maybe, but surely I wouldn't want that as my epitaph.

Here lies Isaac. He knew how to let you know he was pissed.

Not exactly what I envision.  Marriage, once again, causes some introspection, which I am pretty sure its supposed to do. It seems like that is what its about, sharpening one another and smoothing edges at the same times. Of course, Becky is pretty smooth already (I got the good end).  All this thanks to our daily commute.

Of course there is more to see...like people peeing, and pooping, and cows, and monkeys (though not on our commute, we've seen them driving through the city), and street dogs, and men showering (with a loin cloth), and plenty more...

On the way to school this morning from the auto-rickshaw.

School
Pretty much all our time is spent here...but that is not a bad thing. We are both feeling quite motivated to work, mostly because of the energy of our colleagues and students. They are incredible. Here is me on my first day and my classroom. Check out the awesome classroom library.

The Sights
Although we have not gotten out much, we did go on a 'tour' of Delhi our first weekend. The highlights were India Gate (a WWII monument), Gandi's Memorial, and holding a cobra.

This weekend we are heading to Neemrana for some relaxation and culture. As we get a little more comfortable at work, the blogging should pick back up.

iBeck

Slytherin House

I can now leave Thailand with a clear mind.

For the last few weeks, something has really been weighing me down.  I would have hated to have left Siam without accomplishing one of the goals I set when first learning I was moving to Southeast Asia. We are only five weeks away, but when Becky and I got home this afternoon, my dreams came true; and then I soiled myself.

After a nice weekend in downtown Bangkok, Becky and I open the door to our house and noticed our loyal guard cat, Danni, did not come running to the door.  Instead, she was on full alert at the back door.

Danni was courageously (or stupidly) cornering this:

I have had it with these mutha-effing snakes in this mutha-effing kitchen.

Yeah, that is a cobra.  Yes, I was scared.  However, fear was not going to stop me from capturing this moment, so I first went for the camera and then tried to save our daring feline.  Danni was toying with this thing like it was a gekko, and the cobra struck at her a few times before I was able to grab her.  So far so good, she seems to be OK.

After arguing about what to do for a while, we decided to go get a Thai guy from next door.  Why?  I don't know.  I think that my thoughts were that he had probably dealt with this before.  Well, his response was basically, "Holy crap, that's scary, lets get out of here."  I agreed, but we pressed on.

"I know! Let's poke it with a stick!" 

Proceeding with caution.

Finally, we were able to get the back door unlocked and get the snake to leave.  I would like to say that, while it may look like I am merely taking pictures, I did actually open the door.  So I wasn't a total pansy.  Plus, I have a long documented history of snake wrangling.

To my Dad.  We did it!  We finally did it!  No more ridicule from you about not seeing a cobra.  The even better news is that when you come to visit us in India next year, you can hold one of these guys in your hand!  Get excited!

Enjoy the pictures and videos below.

Isn't there a Bronx Zoo Cobra joke in here somewhere?