Sometimes, in life, you live in India. Then, sometimes, you leave India. And sometimes, in the process of leaving
India, you have weird moments. It’s like
culture shock, but you feel dumb because it’s, technically, your own culture
that is shocking you. I have had many of
those moments in this ridiculously long travelling journey. Here are some of the weird ones.
1.
Literally stopping in my tracks and staring with
my mouth open at the number of white people in line for the flight to
Chicago. As I left India, I was on a
plane that still had a very high ratio of Indians onboard. I got to Frankfurt, wandered around, sat and
read a book. When I got up to go stand
in line, all I could see was white people.
It sounds dumb, but it was such a weird moment for me.
2.
Freezing to death on the airplane. I have acclimated to the ridiculously hot
Indian climate, so my body was a little shocked by the 8 hours of straight
air-conditioning on the plane. I had on
a jacket and two blankets and was still
so dang cold.
3.
Unapologetically eavesdropping, all the
time. It felt very unusual to hear
strangers speaking English with an American accent. My ears were fascinated and it led to some
pretty intense and obvious eavesdropping.
Whoops.
4. Western toilets.
I’ve used a couple of them this summer, but it is strange to have them
every time I go into a bathroom. Also, I
don’t have to bring my own toilet paper, which is also weird.
5.
Developing full-on bipolar disorder on the
airplane. I received a giant stack of
cards from my students at Rising Star before I left. I chose, quite unwisely, to read those cards
on the plane. I, of course, starting
crying. So, in an effort to make myself
feel better, I decided to watch videos of the kids that I have on my phone, and
I started laughing. The lady sitting
next to me was probably a bit concerned about my mental stability. I can’t help it, I love those kids!
6. Thinking the dinner on the plane was basically a
gourmet meal. I was so excited about
that food. It was stuff I hadn’t been
able to eat for three months. Not an
ounce of curry, and….wait for it….. a salad!
With lettuce! Whaaaaaaaaaatt?! It was tiny and dry, but I was feeling like
the queen of England at that moment.
7.
My total inability to get over my Indian
mindset. The flight attendants turned
the lights off on the plane so that people could sleep. When they switched off, I felt mild
irritation that the power was out. The
power goes out about 50 times a day in India, and it took me about 10 minutes
to realize that it wasn’t a power outage, they had just flipped the lights
off. Also, I heard a kid yell, “Annie!”
and I thought he said, “Auntie!” and I felt excited. I have also been speaking to the flight
attendants in pretty chopped up “India English” all day.
8.
Realizing that I have become a food
hoarder. In India, this is a useful
skill. If you have something left over
that you may not be able to get your hands on later, you keep it. However, people look at you weird when you
try to save airplane food. Don’t do it.
9.
My outfit.
Apparently, in America, it’s not normal to be wearing flowy chuddidar
pants, a bag with the “OM” symbol on it, and a hand covered in henna. I would blend right in in India.
10.
My excitement over the “3G” symbol on my
phone. The second that popped up I went
straight into SNL skit “Oh my gosh….” Mode.
I was so excited. I was feeling
all happy about technology and the universe.
Seriously, texting, phone calls, 3G!
I don’t know if I can handle that much coolness right now.
I can’t believe my Indian summer is over and I’m back in
America. I miss Rising Star so
much. However, I can’t wait to see my
family! Off to my last flight. Let’s hope it’s short.