It has been a week of some Americanization, or maybe you would call it Westernization. If not familiar too much with the nation, some may think as a so-called developing nation, India may not have those familiar fastfood establishments, movies, or stores. From my experience, in many ways India has had more of these institutions than Poland for example. Although, it has only been two weeks and one day since I have arrived in India, I have had quite a few encounters with Americanization. Maybe westernization is a better word because of the stronger history India has with Great Britain than the United States. There are those fastfood places like McDonald’s, Domino’s and Pizza Hut. American movies are playing everywhere, including Harry Potter, in large malls with many English or western stores. Although filter coffee is not common in India, there is a chain of cafes, Café Coffee Day otherwise known as CCD.
Our program supervisor has been wonderful. She has made sure we feel as at home as possible and have everything we need. For me, I feel like there has been a little too much of America in our schedule, only because I came to India to experience India. Looking at it from a different angle, these encounters with westernized places is just another way to learn about the culture. I am a little concerned to think that it has been two weeks here in India, and some of my peers are already seeking out those familiar places. Even so, it has been interesting to be able to compare Domino’s, movie theaters, and coffee houses with those back home.
Wednesday evening our program supervisor took us to the mall. There we went to see a movie, an American film, Larry Crown. The seats in the theater were extremely comfortable, like lounge chairs, not to mention the tickets were about $3 with popcorn being $1 for an individual serving. The difference I thought was the most interesting and best, was intermission. A fifteen or so minute break was built into the movie half way through to encourage viewers to use the restrooms, order more popcorn, coffee, or ice cream, maybe a pop. No subtitles were used. Because India has many state languages and it can even be difficult for Indians of other parts of the country to communicate with one another, English is widely spoken. My classes, which are with Indian students, are all in English. An inauguration ceremony I went to was also in English. Announcements at the intercity train stations are in English. This is quite normal.
With that being said, English was not spoken by the man that my friends tried to order Domino’s pizza from last night. After being able to order the three pizzas, two breadsticks, and three pops for seven people, the pizza came. The faces of Holly and Jess were quite priceless. It turned out all the pizzas you order from Dominos are single servings; you know those single ones you can get at Pizza Hut for instance, with four little slices. They were really delicious! That evening was followed by Oreos and peanut butter for those feeling somewhat homesick.
Today I have to say, I honestly was looking forward to a little bit of my familiar westernization. Our rickshaw ride after
bartering with a few drivers was successful to Café Coffee Day. I had a large cup of brewed coffee. Brewed coffee is not very prevalent. I never thought I would miss coffee that much. If you would like to know, I was half looking forward to the taste, but half seeking out what it would do to my system. It has been a change in diet: home it was a lot of raw vegetables for me, along with whole grains and coffee every morning, to here, white rice and curry. I LOVE the food here; however, I had no idea how much my system would change, the drop in fiber I would consume: making many of us have problems with…regulation. At any rate, the coffee was delicious! It is much more exciting to consume coffee in Chennai, India than at home.
Our program supervisor has been wonderful. She has made sure we feel as at home as possible and have everything we need. For me, I feel like there has been a little too much of America in our schedule, only because I came to India to experience India. Looking at it from a different angle, these encounters with westernized places is just another way to learn about the culture. I am a little concerned to think that it has been two weeks here in India, and some of my peers are already seeking out those familiar places. Even so, it has been interesting to be able to compare Domino’s, movie theaters, and coffee houses with those back home.
Wednesday evening our program supervisor took us to the mall. There we went to see a movie, an American film, Larry Crown. The seats in the theater were extremely comfortable, like lounge chairs, not to mention the tickets were about $3 with popcorn being $1 for an individual serving. The difference I thought was the most interesting and best, was intermission. A fifteen or so minute break was built into the movie half way through to encourage viewers to use the restrooms, order more popcorn, coffee, or ice cream, maybe a pop. No subtitles were used. Because India has many state languages and it can even be difficult for Indians of other parts of the country to communicate with one another, English is widely spoken. My classes, which are with Indian students, are all in English. An inauguration ceremony I went to was also in English. Announcements at the intercity train stations are in English. This is quite normal.
With that being said, English was not spoken by the man that my friends tried to order Domino’s pizza from last night. After being able to order the three pizzas, two breadsticks, and three pops for seven people, the pizza came. The faces of Holly and Jess were quite priceless. It turned out all the pizzas you order from Dominos are single servings; you know those single ones you can get at Pizza Hut for instance, with four little slices. They were really delicious! That evening was followed by Oreos and peanut butter for those feeling somewhat homesick.
Today I have to say, I honestly was looking forward to a little bit of my familiar westernization. Our rickshaw ride after
bartering with a few drivers was successful to Café Coffee Day. I had a large cup of brewed coffee. Brewed coffee is not very prevalent. I never thought I would miss coffee that much. If you would like to know, I was half looking forward to the taste, but half seeking out what it would do to my system. It has been a change in diet: home it was a lot of raw vegetables for me, along with whole grains and coffee every morning, to here, white rice and curry. I LOVE the food here; however, I had no idea how much my system would change, the drop in fiber I would consume: making many of us have problems with…regulation. At any rate, the coffee was delicious! It is much more exciting to consume coffee in Chennai, India than at home. 
to be honest I know this "regulation problem" when I just go an visit a very good friend in the north of Germany.....she is from the Netherlands and her family does not eat a lot of fiber.....I always take prunes with me and eat some in the evening. That helps a little bit. Christine from Berlin, who reads all the adventures of yours like a book in two days.....as I am not very often online right now. So I have to use those two days at home for your blog and thoroughly enjoy it
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