The Best Bowl of Cereal I've Ever Had

I'm sure many of you have gone through a period where you're away from home and you never really realized how much you've become accustomed to your soap. And after a while, you really start to miss your soap....who would have thought? Well, as an American, of course, I've become accustomed to many things that just aren't the same or lacking altogether here.

So,my sister was going to send me a package and I told her I wanted some cereal and soymilk. They have cereal here, but it's pretty much just a bunch of different flavored corn flakes, and has little nutritional value. And yes, I do care about the nutritional value of my cereal, I'm weird like that I suppose. Anyway, my package comes and when the day comes that I'm able to eat a bowl of cereal, I swear, it was the best bowl of cereal I've ever had. I had forgotten how much I liked cereal in the morning, (and not pea curry with rice-my normal breakfast).

Once again, I've compiled a list (I may have a list problem) of things that I wouldn't have thought that I would miss, or miss as much here, but definitely do. It doesn't actually include soap, the soap selection is pretty good here, but some other important daily things.

• Wheat Bread

• Um, wheat bread is almost non-existent here. I've found some "wheat" bread but it is nothing like my '100% Whole Wheat' back in the US. I hate white bread, but I will take white bread sandwiches over rice for lunch any day.

So, the one on the right is obviously the wheat bread, but it really isn't that big of a difference taste wise. I think the bread people just throw a few grains into the white bread mix. 

• Comfortable Furniture
• I'm not quite sure whether they feel if there is no comfortable furniture here than people will be forced to be productive or what, but I can't tell you how much I would do something awful for some decent furniture around here. I can feel almost every spring in my "couch" and my pillow was probably an extra brick laying around at a construction site. Ok, I'm obviously exaggerating to make a point, as I often do, but for real, I'm no lazy boy enthusiast, but a little feathers or stuffing here and there wouldn't hurt.

• Coffee
• This one I admit may be a bit subjective, given that I'm aware I'm a bit of coffee snob, but basically, the coffee here tastes like tree bark. I really thought India would have good coffee, but I have yet to find it. Most of the 'coffee shops' at least in this area serve instant coffee, which comes with milk and sugar automatically. It does the job, but I would also do some harm for a starbucks...Thanks to my awesome connections though (Amanda ;) ) I should have some arriving shortly. 

• Lettuce
• So, no lettuce here, or extremely small amounts iceberg on occasion at nice restaurants. I guess it's because it doesn't grow here, and unlike the U.S., India doesn't import every possible food and it's dog. So it's good to know that the food is somewhat local, but I still miss me a good salad with some balsamic vinaigrette. 

• Menus that have what they say on them
• It's pretty much a guarantee that when going out to eat, the restaurant won't have half the stuff that it lists. And for me, it can take me awhile to make a decision that I carefully thought about, only to learn that they don't have what I chose, or the 2 other backup things, ugh.

• Not getting ripped off


• It doesn't happen that often, but about 1 and 10 rickshaw(taxi) drivers will try and give us a higher amount than it actually is. We learned this pretty quickly, so we have the rates of a taxi ride down and always ask before we get in how much it will be. Here you can bargain with the rickshaw drivers, so there is no meter, but there is a standard rate that is somewhat flexible. So now we know when people are trying to rip us off, and it happens more than I would like and is quite annoying.

So, all of you in the US better be thankful for all of these things :) There are of course more things I miss, such as my friends and family! But I knew I would miss everyone! I didn't expect to miss lettuce....Anyway, I appreciate all your feedback and keep it coming! I'm glad your enjoying it so far!