A positive mental attitude is critical to traveling in India. This time around I think I've figured that out. One thing that really helps is smiling at people. When I travel I get a lot of stares. If I wasn't as keyed in as I am, I'd assume they were hostile stares. But they aren't, they're just curious. A lot of Indians, as my friends in Calicut were fond of saying, "have never seen whites." (They also apologized profusely every time they used the word 'white.' I just laughed. It's humorous to me to hear myself described by the color of my skin. Besides, it's true, I am white. No harm, no fould.) And a smile is the best antidote to stares. Instantly the Indian who was staring at me grins widely and knocks his or her head back and forth slightly in greeting. So, I smile a lot and smiles tend to reinforce a positive mental attitude. (And no, I haven't gone all pop-psychology on you, it's just true.)

And in that spirit here are a few things I like about India. The hotels have 24 hour check out times. So, if you arrive at 4pm in the afternoon, your check out time is 4pm the next day. This is very sensible. Why don't we do this?

Also, the tea. I mean, face it: tea in India is just the best. You go to Indonesia to drink coffee and India for the tea!

Another thing I really like is that you can buy one of anything. Need a small bit of shampoo? Buy a small package for 1 rupee. Want to buy just one cigarette? No problem. Want a chappatti for the road? Just buy one. Soap? Same deal. Trial size portions of everything are available here in India. Why don't we do this? Oh yeah, 'bigger is better.'

Dal! Lentils are wonderful, especially in a good curry sauce with some chilis. Why don't we eat more lentils at home?

For some reason this time around the filth doesn't faze me. As a matter of fact, it's really become part of the background and charm of the place. I don't even notice it anymore. And I've always been pretty much a clean freak. Not obsessive-compulsive or anything, but still. And now?

The list of things I like about India could go on for a while, but I think those four are a good start. I'll add to the list as I continue to roam about the country.

One last note: I had curry for breakfast two mornings in a row. I have to say, it's not much more different than having breakfast tacos with salsa, once I figured out that the curry in the mornings is a lot lighter than that which they serve in the evenings. Needless to say, all those cultural barriers I carried with me into India are slowly being reduced to nothing and I fear how I will be perceived when I return home, all elbows, head knocking side to side, going days without a shower and I am now a skilled practitioner in the fine art of 'skybombing.' I feel real sorry for my family.