Finally, I’m done with my block 3 examination. It wasn’t easy as the last block especially DADH paper. I respect those seniors who managed to earn a distinction in that subject. I’m just merely trying to wiggle through. It’s actually my favourite subject; but we are under constrained to learn and memorize all the information in a limited time making it less appealing. Now, let’s put aside those sad past, think ahead.
Hmm, I had been thinking to start a series in my blog for a long time now. Idea started flowing in but I wasn’t really into some of the things I thought of. At first I wanted to go around MANIPAL-MANGALORE-UDUPI hunting for nice food to share, but that has been done. There are many write up about the food here, so I didn’t bother to pursue it. Next, I thought about sharing places to go and do around here; that is also common. A few days back, Sonia and I were on our way to get bubble tea, and I saw a herd of cows by the road side, and I suddenly got the idea. I ask kak whether she agree on it, she said “ya, why not”. I have decided; I shall do a JAGUN series. For those who don’t understand the word “JAGUN”, it means being VERY surprised, somehow in a state of shock at something new that you will eventually get used to. I wonder whether you get what I mean; but it’s mainly to introduce life here in Manipal/India as a BDS student.
Ok, I will start with the environment around Manipal, then maybe in the next few coming post I will introduced some other stuff. (Teaser: Instruments for carving?)
First thing you will notice once you reach here, is the honks. Honks from motorcycles, trunks, cars, auto fills the air around Manipal. Even as I’m writing this now, I can hear non-stop honking from outside. Well, you can say Indian people drive with their honks and not their brakes. Most of them don’t even use their signals and it’s extremely frustrating when you are waiting to cross the road; because you just don’t know where they want to turn. Honking here it’s not like back home; they actually have a variety of sounds to choose from. The weirdest honk sound ever was the monophonic “It’s A New World After All” song.
It’s not surprising to walk side by side with cows when you’re on your way to class. I mean, it’s India, where cows roam freely. Yes, they are wild cows, as in no one owns them. They go wherever and whenever they want. If the thought of being chased by a cow comes into your head, well, think again because they’re actually human-friendly. They might look scary due to their huge bodies but they usually just mind their own business and continue they daily routine (munching grass 24-7).
Don’t be surprise to get lots of poop on the roads here. The cows’ poops can be found frequently along the road. They do it everywhere and anywhere they want. If you’re so lucky, you might even step on one. The chances are quite high as the average size of the shit is about the size of a roti canai. Yup, it’s huge~
Normally the ones on the road are squashed by vehicles; just watch out or the ones at the side of the road. The birds around Manipal also do it everywhere as well. The floors, especially the area under trees are full of white dried up bird shit which stinks badly. It’s advisable to carry an umbrella as you walk around because you never know when these birds feel like pooping.
Back in Malaysia, the crow are relatively tame and under control. Here, it’s a different story. As food is scarce, these crows will do anything to feed their hunger. You will never thought that these birds actually will snatch your food while you’re having your breakfast as you walk to class. Yup, it actually happens to a few of my classmate. Some even receive a peck on their head for not give up their food.
The telecommunication companies in India are weird. I never get the idea of promoting something through spam calls. Yup, spam calls are extremely frequent in India. It’s weird to NOT get any in a day, especially if you signed up for Vodafone service. So often we get to hear some weird women voice over the phone singing or speaking like news caster. As compared to my friends, I receive less number of these calls. Airtel’s spam calls are fewer and it will be easy to detect them if you save the number in your phone. The trick is they always used back the same number over and over again.
Indians are quite good in utilizing space. You’ll be amazed at the amount of things they can stuff in a small room which have the size of a London telephone booth. From pails and brooms to stationaries to potatoes chips and snacks to shampoo and perfumes to biscuits and bread to fruits and candies to ladies accessories, you just name it, they have it.
One of the few “communication skills” you will get used to will be the infamous India’s head shakes. It’s not the usual nodding when we agree; it’s more like moving you head sideways, in a wiggling movement. At first you will feel weird but slowly you will get adapt to the practice here and in no time you will even shake along with them.
I think I will stop here for now. I have many more things to share, but I really need to return to my studies. (sounding like a nerd, oh well…)
