It's been said a million times, but the ingenuity displayed in resource-poor settings is really quite remarkable. Take, for example, the coconut walas who don't have plastic bags for coconut parcels. (Admittedly, most people drink the coconut water AT the coconut stand, but in order to compensate for all of the grossly overpriced coconut water I bought at Whole Foods, I have to take some for later as well.) One coconut wala has a giant metal needle (sharp stick is probably more accurate) which he uses to SEW the coconuts together so I can carry them all home.
Better yet is the wala who doesn't even have a sharp stick, he just uses the machete he has for opening coconuts. Look closely; he basically hacks away at the side of the coconut until a lot of stringy fibers are coming off and he can TIE them together. Are you kidding me? If I had to pick one person to be trapped on a deserted island with, this wala might be the one. So forget you and your outrageously expensive, pasteurized, bottled coconut water, Whole Foods! For Rs. 20 I'll take mine with a smattering of local bacteria and an awesome take away contraption.
*If I'm really, really good in this life I might come back in my next life as some life form who also has Jan Chipchase's job: http://janchipchase.com/.
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