India Life.

Wow. I don't know where to start. I have been taking in the world that is India for a little more than two months now; crazy, strange, funny, beautiful, so forgiving yet very strict. India is the place where spirituality thrives, while daily demands take the soul out of a person. And that's how it is here in this wonderful place.
Homeless women are clad in the brightest color saris and looking classier than the classiest women on the red carpet. Boys and men of all ages hold hands all the time and embrace each other as if they were lovers. But they're not, well most of them aren't, they're just friends showing effection towards each other. Men stop and stare at a woman just because she's foreign and light skinned. But I'm not talking about just staring. They turn into giggling teenagers, as if they're talking to a girl for the first time. Silly! Silliness, I tell you! Going through the typical questions asked by almost all Indians. "What is your good name?", "What is your country?", "How old are you?", "Do you have a boyfriend? Husband?" , followed by a very direct, "Why not!?". My answer to that is the head wiggle. No more, no less.


Getting marriage proposals from complete strangers, that's a classic. Local women carrying outrageously large bundles of things they're going to sell at the market. Young girls staring at you in awe, guessing which one will be brave enough and say "hello" and smile at the white lady. Each time excited and curious. Drinking five ginger chais a day. So much sugar, but so much flavor! When asking for directions, getting the typical Indian response of an outstretched arm extended straight up and then to one side. The meaning of that? Fit to interpret in any way you desire. The way they speak. Oh my, there should be a whole documentary made on that! The Indians are so animated when they speak. The hand gestures and the eye rolling, all snowballs into one amazing conversation as well as a few giggles. Incredible India.

The people I have met so far. Amazing! So many different cultures, backgrounds and life stories. Everyday is a social discovery, an experiment. It's all so beautiful and educational. Human interactions. It's a life lesson that can only be learned when put in a new environment with a hundred and one different personalities and outlooks. It can be overwhelming sometimes. Of course, you have to go through the typical questions when meeting new people which can be exhausting at times. Name, age, country, travel history, job, ideas. It's all good, but it's even better when you get past those questions. You end up sharing your life story with a colplete stranger. But the beautiful thing about this is that the stranger will not judge you but instead, embrace you for who you are and share their life with you just as honestly as you shared yours with them.

It's a beautiful mess and I love it.