Monday, March 14, 2011

Leaving India behind

Palolem, Goa
Backwaters of Kerala
Tea trees in Munnar, Kerala
Jin loving India
I'm not ready yet. That's all I can say about leaving India. The last 6 months just flew by. Someone wrote once that hating India is the easiest thing to do while in India. I totally and completely agree with it. But you soon realize that one emotion is never enough to describe India. There's absolute beauty, once you look past the trash, public urination and defecation, chaos on the roads, constant beeping, and the feeling of being cheated. All in all, this truly is a god's own country with vast amount of natural resources and abundant cultures. I will miss my corner dosa shop, amazing group of friends, southern Indian coffee, and organized chaos. So India, we've had our ups and downs but I love you. Thank you for everything you've taught me. AND this is not the end but just the beginning of our journey together. See you later...

Friday, March 4, 2011

Foreigners in India

It may be absurd that I want to talk about foreigners in India when in fact I am a foreigner. However, the simple fact that I no longer require toilet paper gives me a honorary citizenship to this country called India. First of all, I love foreigners. I feel safe when I see alot of them at a place where I know no one. I talk to alot of them as I travel alone. I actually relate to their frustration and love for India. BUT... I think everyone saw a BUT coming up.. BUT... really? really? reeeeaaaaalllllyyyy???? Ass always, here's my list.

1. Clothes in India: tube top with hot shorts in a Hindu town of Hampi? Skimpy tank tops with mini skirt? No shirts around the town???? There are posters around certain towns where they ask foreigners to dress appropriately. I've seen Indians' heads turning around 180 degrees with their eyes popping out with certain outfits. Puleeeeaze.. Have some respect for India!

2. Yelling at Indians in their native language: Okay, I get it, India makes you mad but do you really need to scream at them in your own language over 5 to 10 rupees? Indians just think you're a lunatic. In one incident, Indians told some foreigners not to come back to India. They said(in broken English) "This is India, it's my country, you go back to yours and never come back". That's just... sad...

3. Massive public display of affection in public: Yes, You are in love. That's cool but there's no need for frenchie in the middle of town. That won't even be cool in the middle of Philadelphia so why here? Maybe India just gets your blood boil and you get turned on. I don't know but please do private things in your own privacy. 

Not all foreigners behave like these. Of course it's only maybe 10% of those who come to India. India will always be India. India won't change its ways for us, the foreigners. so Learn to live with it!