Living in India, you learn quickly not to take things for granted. Even essential services like the power supply are notoriously inconsistent. Despite a concerted effort for more renewable resources, power cuts are frequent in big cities and smaller localities have it even worse. Many outlets have special generators to even out the surges, so your electronics won't be zapped if, for instance, you turn on your hairdryer just as somebody else is turning off their bedside lamp.
Your correspondent is subject to the same ebb and flow as the power in Delhi. With immersion into an entirely new culture, taking in every detail requires a lot of energy. It's not hard to feel a little over-stimulated after a few days. Yesterday's Republic Day break was a good chance to shut down, recharge the batteries, and refuel for the long stay ahead.
Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. It's tiring to shoo off every rickshaw-wallah who assumes the blonde woman in the street is lost. An American sitting in a park will attract attention from almost everybody - especially small children, who aren't afraid to walk right up to stare and giggle. Unlike in America, where we've worked very hard to cultivate assimilation, in India an expatriate can still be a surprise. You may get used to your surroundings but I'm not sure that your surroundings get used to you.
This is not to say that the people here aren't friendly. Merely talking to one of those children will make her entire face light up. The point is, it's a culture shock I hadn't considered. Every day is still full of new and exciting things, but to avoid burnout a person so far from home needs a mental adapter. It takes a little bit of extra power just to turn 'off'.
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