Vertigo

Indians have a way of expressing themselves, which is so symbolic of them: the head wiggle. To do it, you move right ear towards right shoulder, then left ear towards left shoulder. Repeat as necessary. Head should be moved quickly but only very slightly, about 1 cm (conserve your energy!). This is the head wiggle.

But what does it mean? It's not 'no'. It's not 'yes'. It's a sort of Indian 'middle way' or troisième voie. India seems to be full of middle ways. When driving, a magical 3rd way opens up in the road in front of the car...yep, you've guessed it, it's the middle of the road, which our driver often speeds along, before reverting to playing chicken with the oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the road.

The head wiggle means in my book: 'I've heard you. I don't necessarily agree with what you've said. I'm just acknowledging you've spoken'. It's a sort of Indian OK. I've picked up the habit from seeing people do it and now I do it during conversation, it's very handy.

Recently I've been feeling quite dizzy. Too much of the above head wiggling? Still a dizzy blonde even when I'm brunette?
After waiting for it to go, then doctors and tests, I found out I have Labyrinthitis or inflammed inner ear. It can be caused/triggered by just about anything (virus, bacteria, stress, dehydration, strong head movement). Happily it can be cured too, mainly by doing basic exercises to improve my eye co-ordination and re-train my brain about movement!
So I'm going to go and bounce a football now on the patio! In doctor speak this is called Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises. Fortunately I can call it fun too.

India can make you dizzy, just looking out of the window. I saw a women walking along the road here with a white cane. I was amazed at her courage. Walking along any road can be hard when you have difficulties seeing. But a road in India is so chaotic. I'm guessing faith and necessity drove her.
Photo by Spoinknet on flickr.com