India charm

There is a certain charm about India that starts to grow on you. Yes, it could be staying at plush hotels with a driver to take you places, but I think it goes beyond that. No matter what conditions I am in, my hint of a smile always receives back a glowing, friendly response and an ear-to-ear smile. This shine comes from villagers in the "Magestic" back-country and the guy on a motorcyle stuck next to me in rush-hour traffic. I see the same friendliness and good nature shared among the locals themselves; I believe they are generally good-hearted and passionately contentful.

I have learned and seen some interesting things at the resort where I am staying. There are 500 villas on the property and 128 hotel rooms. The villas are primarily owned and lived in by full-time ex-pats living the good life in India; great food and servants on the cheap. I have seen a few cases of the good life going to peoples heads. For example, at dinner, two men sat at the table next to me and the staff promptly arrived at their table to attend to them. The one man went on a insane rant about the specifics on how he would like a Coca-Cola served to him, "Tall glass slightly chilled, 6 ice cubes, with the bottle... Ah, just tell the concierge that Mr. Laskmiti has arrived and would like his Coca-Cola served as he desires." Hilarous, I wanted to say to the guy, "Dude, its a soda, relax." Another guy has only ordered a steak, plain, no sauce, no sides at each of the meals I have seen him at the restaurant. To each their own, but there are some cases of abusing the system, yet it doesn't seem to bother the staff one bit. They will listen attentively and try their best to satisfy.