What I miss most...

For all those contemplating making a big move from North America to South Asia, here's a short list of things that I find that I miss (in no particular order):

1) Racial diversity (except for Goa)
2) Red wines (although Madera's Rose and Merlots are okay at Rs. 200 or so a bottle)
3) A variety of English movies at movie theatres: the choices in Goa right now are Casino Royale (ugh James Bond) and Departed (Scorcese blockbuster). There isn't yet enough of a market for indie movies but that's changing as the Int'l Film Festival of India begins this week. The selection spans large parts of the world, but I have have 2 problems. For one thing, ordinary people can't just buy tickets to these films -- you have to be press or a 'delegate' which requires an application. And the other problem is that there aren't any Goan films on the list. It would be good to see more encouragement of local filmmaking.
4) Tampons with applicators
5) Reliable phone lines: without crackles, hisses and pops; and with people answering at the other end. However, I have to admit the customer service at private corporations are even better than the U.S. But will someone tell call center folks they don't need to be so goddamn polite? Faster internet would be nice too.
6) Good looking boys (there I said it): All my female post-expat friends agree with me but no one's published it in a blog yet (that I know of). It seems supremely unfair to live in a country of beautiful women, but not-quite-equally pretty boys.
7) Activist conversations: I seemed to plunge into political, social commentary with friends, coworkers, bus riders, school kids, whoever...back in the Bay Area. People I've met in India seem to be preoccupied with spending more money than the next, and getting a bigger piece of the juicy pie being baked nationally right now.
8) Random American entertainment: Indian nightlife is boring so far. I'm over it. I dragged my lazy 28 year old ass out of a three floor club in Goa and pondered business ideas like a roller-disco on the way home. I also need more live music options. On the bright side though, there's a really fun night flea market in Goa that begins next week - where everyone in the community gets together for shopping, live music, and cocktails.