Both Feet

That is what I have jumped into India with.  I was sweetly welcomed at my arrival by purple flowers, a taxi ride full of four-year old snuggles and giggles, and a basket of goodies.  Upon arrival I also found out that our trip to another city the next day would begin at 3:30 the next morning. 

“Ok, I can’t sleep anyway. Besides, who needs sleep? Weaklings, that’s who…the next couple of days will be just like college.”

I would write more of my experiences on the train, in rickshaws, eating Masala Dosa, meeting new Indian brothers and sisters, but the day was very surreal.  Yes, everything was completely new and other-worldly seeming.  But also, jet lag is a monster.  That combined with extreme caffeine withdrawal really puts everything in a haze.  I do remember being very happy and excited though. 

Indian perception of Americans

Conversation with an Indian man sitting next to me on the train:

Man-Are you from this country?

Me-No, I’m from America.

Man- Are you with Barak Obama?

Me- Well he is our president.

Man- Oh yes, the First American.

Me-Uh, yes…sure.

Man- Is there only one occupation in America?

Me- No, we have many occupations.  Doctors, lawyers, engineers…

Man- Where do you get food?

Me- We grow it.  Or we import it….

*This man’s thoughts do not represent the opinions of the entire Indian population.

 

Needless to say it is very nice to be on the up and up after the jet lag.  Also, I have managed to avoid Delhi Belly…which, if you know me, is quite an accomplishment.

 

 

Tidbits from Travel

I’m here.  So strange and yet so natural.  Everything is new, but somehow it feels vaguely familiar.  Then again, I have only been here for a few hours so…we’ll see.

People I Met

·         A group of precious oldies, who acted like they had been friends for ages, were on their way to Ireland.

·         One teenage girl from Mexico, with a giant sequined sombrero, was traveling for a student exchange program in India.  She sat in my row with one empty spot in between.  She was traveling alone.

·         One girl my age who is taking some time off from school in New York to travel in India because her dad is Indian.  She was traveling alone.

[CONFIDENCE BOOSTER:  If a high schooler and a college student can go to India alone, I can certainly get through customs alone!]

 

“What’s going on in there?”

There was this older man on my flight that used the same restroom stall several times.  At least a couple of times he couldn’t figure out how to open the stall door.  This resulted in his banging like crazy on the door from the inside until someone broke it open for him to get out.  Poor guy.  It is no fun being locked inside a bathroom stall…been there.

 

Sleeping

So, it is kind of hard for me to sleep on planes.  I slept a little, but mostly just sat there or read….for 15 hours.  At one point I looked around the dimly lit cabin.  All of these Indian people were just cuddled up and sleeping.  Some had blankets pulled up to their chins.  Some snored.  Some laid flat down across a row of seats.  All so sweet.  I found myself at that moment with a deepening affection for them.  People look so sweet while they sleep.   

 

Quotes from internal voice

·         About certain dishes of Indian airplane food, in my mom-of-a-toddler mentality: “You have to eat this.  It will build character.  Get used to it and get over yourself...Good, now three more bites of that.”

·         “Be strong and courageous.  Everything is going to be fine.  The Lord provides.”

·         As we touched down: “Don’t freak out.  But, you’re in India.”

 

 

 

 

FAQs

Do you even like Indian food? / What will you eat?

Yes, I actually do.  And I will eat it…with a smile.  Even if I don’t like it, I will eat it with a smile because that is what polite people do.  And people who don’t want to starve.

On purpose?

No, this is all the result of thousands of irreversible typos during a grand internet surfing expedition. 

Oh, you are going for business? Are you working at a call center?

No.  Contrary to popular belief there is a myriad of commerce that takes place in India completely unrelated to the IT field.

Do you speak Indian?

No.  Actually nobody does.  Indian is not a language, it is a nationality.  If, however, by “Indian” you mean one of the 22 official languages of India, then the answer is still no.  But, I hope to learn some Hindi. 

Well, there they are.  My top four frequently asked questions with responses.  I hope you enjoy.  This should be a very interesting time of learning and growth, adventure and exploration.  So consider this your invitation to join me.  To come will be stories and tidbits about my time in India.  I can guarantee that there will be some stories of my little cultural bumblings, my little victories, and my little portion of the story of the kingdom of Christ.