India seems to greet me with open arms every time I return. After a long and exhausting flight from Atlanta to Paris to Bangalore, I could hardly stand up. But then I stepped off the plane and all that pain was forgotten. The moment I hit the outside air I smelled that sweet scent of India which reminds me of all the soul, color, humanness, and life that awaits me here. The troubles of travel melted away and excitement took its place as we drove out of the Bangalore airport at 1:30 AM. The taxi flew down the roadways, weaving through construction and late-night workers.
We arrived at our apartment and the lovely hostess Renu greeted us with a bag of groceries on the table in case we were hungry. She showed us around our home for the next seven weeks and it felt surreal. My husband and I have dreamed of spending the summer in India together for years. I travel here often but his schedule prevents him from joining me most of the time. Now I enjoy watching him flitting around the apartment exploring how everything works, how the pipes, lights, locks, and wires are different from home. His engineering mind is in overdrive and I love that he can show me the ropes.
At last we went to bed, the effects of the jet lag wearing on us. When I woke up the next morning I heard the sounds of India outside, the honking horns and megaphone announcements. I ate my favorite tiny bananas, so much more flavorful then the large ones back home. I started organizing our lives here, unpacking, hanging up clothes, putting things in drawers. I really enjoy traveling to one spot and staying there. You create a home away from home and really dig in to the culture, making friends and seeing the same people many times. In my opinion you might see less of the sights but you learn more that way.
Tonight I went to the supermarket with Renu and her husband to stock up our apartment kitchen. I walked up and down every aisle exploring the rice, lentils, fruits, nuts, and spices. I bought Mr. Muscle cleaning spray, fresh garlic, turmeric powder, green peppers, onions, carrots, lentils, and many more goodies. Coming home and putting everything away again made me reflect on this home away from home concept. It felt satisfying to me to do everyday things in a different way. I believe these small actions done with an alternate “flavor” make you more creative, and being in India also draws awareness to living with limited natural resources. You can’t be wasteful.
All in all it was a great first day and I look forward to the rest of our adventure. Stay tuned!
This is so wonderful, Vicki. I can’t wait to hear your discoveries and adventures in the coming days…
Thanks, Peter. One of the best things about technology is the doors it opens for sharing experiences and connecting people around the world!
Vicki, Oh the joys of your home away from home!! How splendid are the similarities (Mr. Muscle) and differences like the smells of exotic spices. More later.
I know, I loved Mr. Muscle! Food is such a basic part of living that it makes for an interesting exploration just to be in the kitchen.