Shockingly pleased...

So there is a certain Indian cookbook with profound emotional and educational attributes. It's not in print in the US. When I was here a year ago, a book store in New Delhi had dozens of copies. I didn't know that anyone really needed the book, so I didn't stock up.

This morning, I rectified that. I purchased the four copies the Cosmos seemed to indicate were needed. (This is a great cookbook.) But it is heavy. So I really didn't want to carry it any further than necessary. I was directed to the nearest post office, some 150 feet away.

I had one other experience with the Indian Post. It was quite the ordeal, and no one ever received their post card to boot. So I was a bit worried about this. But it turned out surprisingly well.

There is a media rate to the US. But you must show that only media is shipped; books, papers, magazines, etc. I stood at the most popular counter, and was directed to someone else, then someone else.

Now mind you, I have walked in with a sack of books. NO box, nothing else. I am directed to the most physically active man in the office. He proceeds to tightly fold the bag around the books, tape the bag securly, and then stitch a bag for the books. No kidding. My four books were bound in cotton for a $1. I just write the "To:" address, and off it goes. (The cotton sack is open on one side to show only books are sent, but it deters anyone from trying to remove one of the books.)

It should be there in a week.