I can't believe it. Six months truely flew by in what seemed like the blink of an eye, now that I'm back at the comfort of my home. I wanted to document some of the things I'll miss and not miss about India. I'm compelled to do this after having a conversation with someone about the foreigners who visit India and how they tend to idealize their visit (amazing trip, wow, yeah, I'll definitely be back, etc. etc.) Even if they don't particularly enjoy the place, they may only report or remember the good parts so as not to be disappointed with their trip (to themselves or others). Looking over some blog entries, perhaps I did idealize this trip in the reporting of it. Naturally, I was more compelled to write about the good than the bad. But in all honestly, there was very little bad. It was a wonderful trip because of the people I met along the way and the extreme hospitality they showed at every bend. There are the sleezeballs that are unfortunately present everywhere but they were by far the minority leaving me and my excessive baggage to safely wander along.
Things I'll miss:
-the amazingly warm, welcoming, and beautiful people, the friends I've made
-the beautiful trees, plant life, rivers, and surroundings
-how Hindus reverse the pronounciation of V's and W's (my name is Rainbow Wogt and we go to the willage)
-the traditional and classical music, how much singing ther is
-the food- sooooooo simple, soo good. The fruit! What will I do without my beloved chikoo, amla, and ramful?!
-the simplicity and slow pace of life in general
-cows in the streets and the general non-violent reverence for animals
-the question: "What's your good name?"
-dancing to the drum beats and percussion musicians that bless all celebrations
-learning the cultural characteristics and beliefs like: sweeping after dusk is bad luck, covering your ears prevents sickness, no raw foods when sick
-my dupata and kurta-- i not only developed a feeling of great comfort in my scarf and long shirt but an appreciation of how it's part of every woman's daily attire concealing the breasts and bum, which feel so objectified here
-local bananas, coconuts, street barbers, street food, street everything!
-cute phrases like how everybody says "less of" than fewer of even "very less of"
-the cultural worship of water
Things I won't miss:
-public urination-- very public: on the street, the road, on the side of a building
-bollywood/radio music that apparently comes with a minimum decible level
-public buses- the most the bumpiest, dirtiest, and crowded places I've been in India. There are rails on the back of seats that I learned were for holding on when you're practically thrown out of your seek.
-lack of municipal recycling-- why, petroleum industry, must you pollute our lands with this plastic rubbish and then not take responsibility?!
-scams-- those crafty individuals who have figured out how to scam travelers like over-charging for bad bus rides
-sexism and pushiness-- how some men ignore women and some others fondle them
-dinner at 10PM
-constantly honking horns
-customer service-- more like customer NOT service
All of that being said, I won't fret too much about missing or not missing, as I fully intend to return! Though I'm being honest about the less favorable aspects (as there are anywhere), the strongest feeling I leave India with is a tremendously deep sense of gratitude for all of the people and places that made this experience so special. Thank you!