I’m sorry it’s been so long. I engage with my surroundings very much these days… whether it be going out EVERY night to dinner, shisha, hanging out at my new friends’ houses :) or working late and/or early hours so as to learn more and more about the projects I’m working on. My boy G-Top (Grahammallen) moved in last week and another intern from Australia, Geeta! has made us a family trio! I will post again within the next few days with more cool info, otherwise this blog will literally be a month long. And I guess I'm having such a blast that the days are flyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyying.
How have I changed? This is my second extensive journey to Asia so I wasn’t overly shocked by the cockroaches, garbage, smelly streets, heat, bartering, eating with my fingers, frequent stares, squat toilets, upset tummy, bottled water, scary water, dirty water, dirty feet, sweaty sweaty sweaty all the time, gaping sidewalks, dirty air, bad skin, bacterial infection, Asian style medicine, the heat, the heat. Although initially taken aback, I have quickly become re-accustomed to these things. Perhaps like riding a bike... A side note: I find these tangibles beautiful and have struggled both internally and externally in conversations (usually with other westerners) about their merits and how they relate to ‘development’, specifically the culturally compatible kind that I am interested in – but I’ll talk about that next time.
Yes I barter, yes I walk away when I am overcharged, yes I eat with my hands without washing them, yes I drink unbottled water, yes I speak Hindi whenever I can, albeit a poor attempt most of the time. I pronounce names as they should be pronounced, I still smile at everyone I see, even the auto drivers. I don’t get as upset as I used to when a smile is not reciprocated. But when it is, boy do I feel nice.
On gender: well... I DO NOT like being told what to do. Straight up. So India and I have some wrinkles to iron out in this regard. My female and white and foreign voice will sometimes be ignored. At the beginning of this adventure, Grahammallen sometimes enjoyed more respect, more attention, and fair prices, being called sir and approached differently. But I find that as I smile and speak softly, in Hindi or English, I am increasingly afforded the same respect as G-Top. Though, last week my favourite ING bank security guard, Walter, tried to negotiate my 'price'. Ha! Equality between men and women is something we take for granted at home. And India is actually alright when it comes to gender equality. Women are in parliament, hold esteemed places in education and society; many homes are matriarchal - In Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to drive. We got it good girls.
I went to Mumbai three weeks ago and this past weekend went to Hogenakkal with my cool coworkers. Incredible. This week I’m going to Hampi; the week after a three stop journey to Southeastern India, where the Bay of Bengal meets the Indian ocean. We will sleep on the beach. Yaaaa.
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