On the way home in my auto tonight, as the brisk evening air pushed itself against my shawl clad body, I realized I could smell the cologne and perfume of the people next to me in traffic. How often will that happen once I leave this place.

My auto driver told me I am the first foreigner he has met who has ever spoken Hindi to him. It is amazing to me that a few words in someones native tongue can change their whole demeanor. He even thought about not cheating me at the end because of it. Notice I said "thought" about it. He still took double the meter, but I could tell he had second thoughts. That is rare around here...

"Didn't you get the memo?"

Nighty nite.