Things seen (random, but to be updated):

Billboard advertising a “Mr. Turban” contest for the city of Amritsar

Signs in red-lettering on hospitals saying “No sex determination done here”, in compliance with Indian national law. Apparently this stems from the fact that, given the gender roles and relative cost of dowries, some couples are more likely to decide against having the baby if they find out it will be a girl.

Respect for Sri Guru Granth Sahib, as installed in a gurdwara, taken to the extreme of reverence while in traffic. On Gurbhej’s motorcycle, we stopped in the middle of the road in front of a gurdwara so he could bow his head. Other bikers are more blasé, simply taking both hands off the wheel while still moving to bring them together in sign of respect.

After my involvement in minor fender-bender between two rickshaws (or, at least it would be if they actually had fenders), the respective drivers continued their argument as to who was at fault through traffic for the next quarter mile; each making sure to stay within shouting-distance of the other and cut one another off as many times as possible.

On a random motorcyclist in traffic by the Golden Temple, a leather jacket proclaiming on the back: “Air Force, Sioux Falls, SD”

Fully painted Indian Elephant being led down the main street, not for a parade, but loaded down with a staggering amount of building materials – I guess once the puja’s over, it’s really over

Historical gurdwara in a little town near Tarn Taran. A beautiful sarovar (pool) with a high, narrow wall on one side. We all climbed up into the top of this wall, and one of the caretakers climbed up and threw his weight back and forth, shaking the wall. Apparently this is supposed to demonstrate some mystical power from beyond that enters the wall and makes it shake, and I suppose if I considered the actual weight on this gentleman’s slight frame, it makes a bit more impressive, but the wall didn’t really seem to shake all the far. I remained skeptical.

Amazing pedal contraptions built for people with quite debilitating handicaps. Just like a rickshaw, but pedaled with one or two arms, and right out in traffic with the rest of them.

Punjabi version of American Idol, featuring popped-up folk songs, qawwali, and devotional. Some discussion of raags and intonation from the judges, though I couldn’t at all follow.