I heard in a movie once, that India is an assult to the sences; absolute truth. Mumbai, and India in general, is a difficult place to take in, difficult to understand, and difficult to break apart. However, like anywhere else, it is a composition of aspects, moments and is constructed by an unspecific reciepe. Here is how I see it:
A handful of the chaos that Vietnam’s Hanoi has in it’s traffic, it’s amount of motorcycles, and it’s way of driving.
A tad bit less than the population China has, and the way anywhere and everywhere is crowded, and anywhere has room for more…. and that there is always something worth selling.
The respect for nature, and its permittance to interact with buildings and modern life, that cities in Cambodia have.
The beauty that Istambul has, with the view of the water and the elegance of the old european architecture with the asian influences.
The hospitability of South American countries and the warmth of its people… and the very tropical climate.
The spirituality that places like Thailand have, where the people act based on their belief of life.
The contrast of the British influence and some of its traditions, mixed in with the asian way of life that Hong Kong has, but a little more disorganized.
Take all of that, mix it in a bowl the size of aproximately one third on the United States, add a bit of masala curry and a few extra spices, toss some cows in there making sure not to hurt them,game of cricket zest, a tad bit of nuclear energy and a spoonfull of rupies that react to become an economical power … and you will not even be close to understanding what India really has to offer. All of it is an understatement. Here is my overview:
1. The chaos is hectic, and mindblowing. That is not a negative thing. It makes the country what it is, and somehow that is the way things work.. because they do work.
2. The people are amazing. Never once do you feel harrased, menaced, or in danger. They are friendly, helpful and very interested in you. If they ask for money, and you give, they are thankful. If you dont, they will still smile, and offer some kind words. People will start talking to you out of the blue, and it’s not out of the ordinary.
3. People like their picture taking. Dont be ashamed to do it. Obviously be sensative. Its not about not being inhumane, but its about recognizing their natural beauty, their incredible smile and all they have to offer. Ask if you can take their picture, and most likely the answer will be yes, and a flash of their teeth (or lack there of in most cases).
4. Taxis are damn small, people drive very fast, stop lights are a decoration, there is no such thing as a crosswalk. You walk on the steet and when you hear honking, move out of the way.
5. There is so much honking, that it defeats the purpose. They honk to say hello or to say “move out”. Everyone does it, so you don’t really know if they are honking at you, besides you, in front of you, or to someone else. Tip: just always look around for a motorized vehicle making way to run you over.
6. There are very few large chain stores, luxury boutiques or anything like it. However, there is always some kind of economic transaction going on, and in between a couple of rupies there, and a couple more here, this country has been placed on the map as an influential country in the international system.
7. The spirituality comes out in everything, from the “namaste” when they greet you, to the miniature shrines you can find on trees in the street, in the shops between the Coca-Cola bottles, or the simple images stuck on the windows. A selection of gods with altars, powers and stories. This is a large part of the reason why the people are so kind. The celebration to life, to colors, to experiences.
A shrine built between two columns to worship Vishnu
8. The people are curious about you, and like to ask questions. They want you to do the same. In one conversation you can learn a lot, and gives you an option to understand the culture from their perspective.
9. The poverty is as serious as you imagine. Its difficult to deal with, and you have to learn how to handle it from the very first day so you don’t cumble. They ask, and they will keep asking. Lots of women will ask for rice or milk for their babies instead of the money. They are insistent, so dont ignore them. Look at them and say no, the get the message better that way, and they deserve to be acnowledged.
10. The pollution is a serious problem. Its contradictory how they respect nature, and don’t interfere in the way a tree grows in order to build a building. However, the air pollution can be seen in the very weak view your have of the city from affar. The water pollution is sad to watch in the harbour. Its normal to see someone finish a bottle of water, and throw it out of the ferry in order to get rid of it. Its a serious problem. The noise pollution is the worst I’ve ever witnessed. My way of looking and analyzing this is that they respect living organisms. A tree is a living thing. Water however isnt. This is the reason for the contradiction by the way I see it.
11. The food is delicious. The spices are rich, and you don’t have to be afraid of them. You have to be open to try new things when you come to a country like this. If you are a fan of spicy food, this is the place for you. However, dont start off by ordering “very spicy” from the beggining. If spice is tough on you, be sure to know what you are ordering, and trust the british influence when they inderstand the words “no spicy” when you order, and they will guide you.
12. There is still a lot of the tradition alive, from the way women dress, to the way men act, to the matchmaking comertials on tv, to the cows on the street. You do see some young people who break the status quo though. Its interesting to see the contrast.
Wanderlust 