The India confusion

indiaprof · Jan 9th, 2009, 21:58

I thought it was understood that if a person gets hit by a car, in Europe, it's always the pedestrian's fault.

Paris, though, is the worst: there's nothing quite like being cursed, in French, in passing, by some irate guy in a zippy little car.

I think I'd rather face a bus ride across rural Karnataka than try to walk around the circle of the Arc de Triumphe.

CindyIndie · Feb 2nd, 2009, 06:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bloem

I have been to India three times now, and it is true, with every trip you enter a new stage of India-awareness. You recognise an India-virgin a mile away, and they make you smile as you weave your way through the crowd to help them out.
India is a way of thinking, a way of being. And nothing is ever the same again.
You sit at your desk, and stare out the window, and think, I could be in the Himalaya right now, or on the beach at Gokarna, being hugged by Amma, or in the middle of the jungle near Madikeri. I could be having tea at Darjeeling, or meditating below the Bodhi Tree. I could be in India right now... if only.
And it's this longing that keeps life interesting. It's this longing that keeps it fun. For if I did not long for India, I would not enjoy the flight overthere. I would not have the sweet memories, and cherish them like I do.
India is like a quilt. Every segment is different, but one knows it's a quilt, and the similarity between the segments tells you of their origin, while the difference tells you their separate identity.
India is a country torn between the east and the west. It is a country ripped apart by violence, but held together by a universal peace and understanding. The government may have some interest in fighting, the people do not. So nothing happens.
Many people ask me what attracted me at first, and what attracts me now. There is no answer to this question, India just pulls at me. I have seen her beauty, now I cannot live without her. She is like a wounded woman, struggling for life, battling for recognition. She is home to all who need shelter, and offers us all a place to be ourselves. India brings out the best and worst in people, it confronts one with oneself, but if one gives it all one has, one will emerge a better person. I have gone in as a young girl, insecure and doubtful of my abilities, and have emerged a woman, strong, self-assured and up to anything the world can throw at her. I have travelled through India alone, unscathed, I have listened when needed, sat down and waited when that was what had to be done, stood up for myself if the circumstances asked for it. I have lived, I have seen enough images to last several lifetimes and I have so much life yet to come.
India changes herself, and you. You cannot change India, but you cannot prevent her from changing you.

Def an India virgin ... I've read this post several times since joining the forum. I find it very moving.

ryler78 · Feb 17th, 2009, 06:19

Reading that post, reading this thread, reading the other forums......
I leave April 15th and cant wait for EVERYTHING I have read; cows, the ass monkey in the toilet, jewel scam, taxi scams, touts, the people, the adventure, the unknown... I could go on.....

Orissa · Apr 28th, 2009, 17:15

Thanks beach, this was such an entertaining, informative article to read!I've been staying in India for sometime now and could attest to the many things you've mentioned!

AwayFromHome · Apr 28th, 2009, 17:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryler78

I leave April 15th and cant wait for EVERYTHING I have read; cows, the ass monkey in the toilet,

You'll have a great time, and please do recount your experiences here.

In the meantime, could you elaborate on the 'ass monkey in the toilet'?

That's a new one for me!

kalbarri · Apr 29th, 2009, 07:36

just saw a lovely program about gardens in india and although i haven't planned a return journey, soon, this made me want to head back, immediately.
india seems to be flavour of the month, at the moment. lots of documentaries being shown on australian tv.

CindyIndie · May 25th, 2009, 01:55

Hi, folks

I left Delhi March 16th and cried (sometimes a little bit, sometimes a lot) for a month. Man, so much emotion, so much sentiment! My short story isn't all that different than so many others I've seen posted: I fell in love.

God, I miss it. I feel so disconnected. I feel like I'm not all here. I'm trying so hard to get back into life here and take care of my family but I'm still so much "there."

I watch Indian movies. Watched Salaam Bombay last night. I'm learning to cook Indian recipes because I miss the taste, the smell, .... I miss everything about India, including watching people piss on the side of the road ... the chai stalls, the early mornings in the mountains with my best friend, the monkeys, the children, omg the children .....

I am homesick for a place I spent a month of my life in.

After we (daughter and I) left India March 16, we had two weeks in the UK. Four days before the trip ended, we went to London. We walked into the little hotel we'd booked into for 100 pounds a night (they said that was a GOOD deal in London lol) and lo and behold, this lovely Indian family was running the place. My God, I felt at home for the first time since hitting English soil! It was so nice to see smiling faces ... I know, I'm such a sappy dork. We ate at the same Indian place for three nights, so happy to be smelling familiar smells, tasting the flavors we fell in love with around India ... we were so happy to have that connection again.

What the heck IS IT? It's everything about India. The tastes, the sights, the smells, burning trash, the pigs and cows ... as you all well know, I could go on and on, but the thing is: YOU KNOW what I mean.

It's taken me this long to come back to India Mike and write because every time I read a thread, I get homesick all over again!

Guess what? I bought my ticket to go back before I left London. I charged it on the cc, knowing I could work my rear end off this summer and pay it off fairly quickly. I get back on Indian soil Jan. 5th, 2010.

How do you guys survive in the meantime when you wake up thinking INDIA? All day long it's India ... going to sleep at night, dreaming of India. Wth do you do in the meantime back in normal routines and so-called regular lives? I'm not full here and I know it. I think my family knows it too and I really don't know how to tell them from my heart what I'm going through.

I miss it so much.

Cindy

P.S. Nothing went off in the metal detectors and I didn't have to explain a thing lmao!

paratmoshe · May 25th, 2009, 05:47

I can relate so well to your post!
I felt like a zombie , an alien for a while, so hard to come back!
I do not speak to my friends and collegues about my India- longing because I am afraid that they'd think I am mad!
I also do the same things as you,the movies, the cooking, the music, burning incense sticks etc.
It is like an addiction.I had that very strongly when I came back after a whole year, it took me quite a while to adjust .
I guess you too have a case of severe " reverse culture shock "right now.
Fortunately we have IM to help us get through before we go back.
Look at the photos, prepare and dream about your next trip.
Be well,
paratmoshe

Brisso · May 25th, 2009, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

The more you know the better prepared you are for it!

Agree Nick - the benefit of experience is that you can anticipate problems, minimise risks and be confident that you will be able to sort out dramas. But then again, maybe the innocence of inexperience is better in that these considerations rarely enter your head ...?

I miss the wonder of first-time and doubt it can be recaptured.

zerostress · May 25th, 2009, 17:37

I suppose we all understand you so well...
that's why I already went to India ten times, and every two years I miss everything so much that I must come back again!
India gives addiction.

CindyIndie · May 26th, 2009, 04:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by zerostress

I suppose we all understand you so well...
that's why I already went to India ten times, and every two years I miss everything so much that I must come back again!
India gives addiction.

Ten times *wow* how wonderful

I talk to my friends over there and get nostalgic listening to them roll their r's ... makes me smile every time. It's little things like that that make me happy and wistful at the same time.

Ten trips over how long of a time span? 20 years? ... have you ever tried to pinpoint what it is that draws you back? I could never pick one moment or one time. But am curious if after so many visits, you know what it is that calls your heart to be there.

Cindy

CindyIndie · May 26th, 2009, 04:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by paratmoshe

I can relate so well to your post!
I felt like a zombie , an alien for a while, so hard to come back!
I do not speak to my friends and collegues about my India- longing because I am afraid that they'd think I am mad!
I also do the same things as you,the movies, the cooking, the music, burning incense sticks etc.
It is like an addiction.I had that very strongly when I came back after a whole year, it took me quite a while to adjust .
I guess you too have a case of severe " reverse culture shock "right now.
Fortunately we have IM to help us get through before we go back.
Look at the photos, prepare and dream about your next trip.
Be well,
paratmoshe

Preparing ... dreaming ... you do understand so well.

zerostress · May 27th, 2009, 03:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by CindyIndie

Ten trips over how long of a time span? 20 years? ...

Cindy

It's actually only 9 times, since 1996. Every now and then I try to go somewhere else

Quote:

Originally Posted by CindyIndie

But am curious if after so many visits, you know what it is that calls your heart to be there.

Cindy

quoting Bloem:
There is no answer to this question, India just pulls at me.

CindyIndie · May 27th, 2009, 04:27

Indeed, it does!

Clipioola · Jun 3rd, 2009, 05:48

All you said sounds so encouraging to me...
thanks!

Apr 28th, 2009, 17:15	#154
Orissa Thought is Action in Rehearsal. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4	succinct, very well-written Thanks beach, this was such an entertaining, informative article to read!I've been staying in India for sometime now and could attest to the many things you've mentioned!

Apr 29th, 2009, 07:36	#156
kalbarri kalbarri Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: WESTERN australia Posts: 605	india just saw a lovely program about gardens in india and although i haven't planned a return journey, soon, this made me want to head back, immediately. india seems to be flavour of the month, at the moment. lots of documentaries being shown on australian tv.

May 25th, 2009, 01:55	#157
CindyIndie 55 nights til I sleep in B'lore! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Alaska for this moment Posts: 316	I'm back ... I'd rather be there!! Hi, folks I left Delhi March 16th and cried (sometimes a little bit, sometimes a lot) for a month. Man, so much emotion, so much sentiment! My short story isn't all that different than so many others I've seen posted: I fell in love. God, I miss it. I feel so disconnected. I feel like I'm not all here. I'm trying so hard to get back into life here and take care of my family but I'm still so much "there." I watch Indian movies. Watched Salaam Bombay last night. I'm learning to cook Indian recipes because I miss the taste, the smell, .... I miss everything about India, including watching people piss on the side of the road ... the chai stalls, the early mornings in the mountains with my best friend, the monkeys, the children, omg the children ..... I am homesick for a place I spent a month of my life in. After we (daughter and I) left India March 16, we had two weeks in the UK. Four days before the trip ended, we went to London. We walked into the little hotel we'd booked into for 100 pounds a night (they said that was a GOOD deal in London lol) and lo and behold, this lovely Indian family was running the place. My God, I felt at home for the first time since hitting English soil! It was so nice to see smiling faces ... I know, I'm such a sappy dork. We ate at the same Indian place for three nights, so happy to be smelling familiar smells, tasting the flavors we fell in love with around India ... we were so happy to have that connection again. What the heck IS IT? It's everything about India. The tastes, the sights, the smells, burning trash, the pigs and cows ... as you all well know, I could go on and on, but the thing is: YOU KNOW what I mean. It's taken me this long to come back to India Mike and write because every time I read a thread, I get homesick all over again! Guess what? I bought my ticket to go back before I left London. I charged it on the cc, knowing I could work my rear end off this summer and pay it off fairly quickly. I get back on Indian soil Jan. 5th, 2010. How do you guys survive in the meantime when you wake up thinking INDIA? All day long it's India ... going to sleep at night, dreaming of India. Wth do you do in the meantime back in normal routines and so-called regular lives? I'm not full here and I know it. I think my family knows it too and I really don't know how to tell them from my heart what I'm going through. I miss it so much. Cindy P.S. Nothing went off in the metal detectors and I didn't have to explain a thing lmao! __________________ My photography, travel tales in India & the UK and living in Alaska: http://cstimson.byethost18.com/

May 25th, 2009, 17:37	#160
zerostress Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Italy Posts: 34	I suppose we all understand you so well... that's why I already went to India ten times, and every two years I miss everything so much that I must come back again! India gives addiction. __________________ http://www.susimedici.it

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Jan 9th, 2009, 21:58	#151
indiaprof Account Closed Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the past, most of the time Posts: 820	I thought it was understood that if a person gets hit by a car, in Europe, it's always the pedestrian's fault. Paris, though, is the worst: there's nothing quite like being cursed, in French, in passing, by some irate guy in a zippy little car. I think I'd rather face a bus ride across rural Karnataka than try to walk around the circle of the Arc de Triumphe.

Feb 17th, 2009, 06:19	#153
ryler78 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 56	Reading that post, reading this thread, reading the other forums...... I leave April 15th and cant wait for EVERYTHING I have read; cows, the ass monkey in the toilet, jewel scam, taxi scams, touts, the people, the adventure, the unknown... I could go on.....

May 25th, 2009, 05:47	#158
paratmoshe Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Luxembourg Posts: 91	I can relate so well to your post! I felt like a zombie , an alien for a while, so hard to come back! I do not speak to my friends and collegues about my India- longing because I am afraid that they'd think I am mad! I also do the same things as you,the movies, the cooking, the music, burning incense sticks etc. It is like an addiction.I had that very strongly when I came back after a whole year, it took me quite a while to adjust . I guess you too have a case of severe " reverse culture shock "right now. Fortunately we have IM to help us get through before we go back. Look at the photos, prepare and dream about your next trip. Be well, paratmoshe

May 27th, 2009, 04:27	#164
CindyIndie 55 nights til I sleep in B'lore! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Alaska for this moment Posts: 316	Indeed, it does!

Jun 3rd, 2009, 05:48	#165
Clipioola Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Málaga (Spain) Posts: 26	All you said sounds so encouraging to me... thanks!

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