The Roti ChallengeRoti: an Indian flatbread made from wheat flour, resembling a tortilla (but thicker like pita bread). I love rotis. Everyone in the office knows that I eat them whenever I get a chance – even when the meal is not a traditional or normal combination with rotis. (Several times, waiters have resisted accepting my request for rotis because it just didn’t go with whatever main dish I ordered, like soup. My co-workers would convince them that this is how I eat, and the waiter would finally give up and walk away with a bewildered expression.) In an attempt to leave a lasting legacy here in Mumbai, I took on a challenge that was spurred on by my co-workers: eat as many rotis as I could in one meal. I boasted that I could eat 20. Then the thought of exploding made me knock the number down to 15. Thank goodness some of my caring co-workers were concerned about my health and strongly suggested that I not eat that many. After hearing that 5-7 was a large quantity to consume, I ordered 10 and was pretty confident about conquering The Roti. The play-by-play: 
Here I am after opening the heavy package of roti wrapped in foil. Just before starting, one was given away to a newcomer who had never had a roti before, and so the total possible was 9. The first 4 or 5 rotis went down without a hiccup. After 7, I hit a wall and thought I was finished. I felt like a failure. The below picture is of me not doing the peace sign, but indicating that I had 2 left to go.  
Then a second wind (and some curry used as dip) gave me the boost to finish up the remaining two. Yes, success at 9 rotis. I hold that scrunched up piece of foil in victory. Pictures were taken so that I would forever be known as the Queen of Rotis... or at least until my record is broken – which I’m pretty sure it will be, but at least I set the standard. You wonder what I do in India? This is what I do. Sadly, my time here will be ending in less than a week. It has been good. | 
For months I had been saying that I would offer to pay a rickshaw driver to let me drive around the block a couple times. Others thought I was crazy, but yes I sure was determined. I put it off until my last weekend just in case I crashed and couldn't show my face in the neighborhood again. Thankfully, the driver was a good-natured (and patient!) guy with a great sense of humor. 
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