Traveling to me is an excellent way to connect with people from around the world. I stay at hostels which offers a good platform to meet people. Interacting with others helps you learn about them and you develop your acumen. A harmless banter, a useless knowledge or even an important topic of discussion expands your view of the world. I did not know Guinness available in other parts of the world is not "Guinness enough" from an Irish man. How about the presence of Christianity in Jordan? You can of course read about it; but the interactive discussions and questions and more discussions with a local is so enriching. I can discuss sushi with a Japanese and then turn around and ask a Mayan descendant what does it mean to an actual descendant now while sharing hazelnut and chocolate cookies made by another hostel inmate from Israel.
The way I have questions for them, I as an Indian face lot of questions. Some of them are stereotypical, most common ones that I have been asked are the same questions wherever I go. First question is always about why am I without an accent? They have met Indians with thick accents! Indians dont know how to converse politely. Indians are generally not considerate. Why am I not like a typical Indian? Are you living out of India? That may explain your un-Indianness. These questions embarrass me and makes me sad. Yeah, what a bad reputation we have built for ourselves? Now apart from explaining why I am without accent, I now have the moral obligation to correct their misunderstandings. How do I tell not all Indians are rude? How do I convey Indians at heart are good but the society has made them run an never ending rat race? Why am I trying to sweep the truth under the carpet? I do get approving and appreciating comments "You are not like the other Indians I know. I thought all were the same." Should I take this as a compliment? I only cringe whenever I hear this and trust me! I have heard this many times in different parts of the world from different people.
The follow up question is always about safety in India. "I've heard that its not safe for girls in India, how bad is it?" or "How do you manage being a woman in India". "Dont you get scared walking on the streets?" "Is it true that you can get robbed and raped?" Imagine this! you are representing your country and someone is asking about the news they hear, how do you cope with it? Should I say - "You know, its not everyday and everywhere such incidents occur." If I try to play down an incident - even one incident, then I am being unfair. Yeah, maybe bad things travel faster in the wind than good ones. But hundred good things cannot make up for one bad incident. It doesn't end there. Those people who've traveled to other places want to visit India very bad. But they are unsure, they are scared. I feel sad as an Indian, perhaps ashamed too. I admit the facts but give them few tips on pockets of India which are gorgeous and are very safe to visit. That is the best I could do for my country.
Travel has taught me to make better judgement, to respect differences and make space for everyone. It has taught me to be inclusive and humble. Travel has taught me how frivolous we all are. It makes me to laugh at empty egos and irrelevant ideologies. Travel has taught me to be human.
The world is one family. We're all humans. Welcome back. Nice post 😊
ReplyDeleteThank you Kiran. We are :)
DeleteIndia still has an old world charm. It's still the most magical place I've lived in. People need to visit themselves and find out
ReplyDeleteWell Kiran, no denying about the charm that India exudes. I have never thought to move anywhere else. But people read about certain things, they watch on TV and its appalling. As much as I can defend; these are facts which you cant sweep under the carpet. It becomes very difficult to defend my country when I am asked about true but hard facts
DeleteTrue. Look at this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w2XrA7W9co .
DeleteWhoa! that was something. And the comments on that video! i've been reading for a while now and people are only reinforcing the stupidity aspect here.
DeleteI agree. These people give us a bad name too, for no fault of ours.
DeleteAnd by the way, I did end up getting the top of my helix pierced last month as a birthday gift to myself. It's now adorned with a gold koppu with pearls and a single green Stone that dangles from the center 😉
ReplyDeleteOh my! That is wonderful. That single green stone! what bling!
Deleteyes. 4 holes now :). I think I'm done though. My sister was encouraging me to try a mookuthi. I vehemently refused
DeleteHaha you sure seem to be done :)
DeleteYea, for now at least. I wouldn't have minded a mookuthi, just that I was worried about the hole not closing
Delete:) They have provisions for that these days, no?
DeleteWell put! Due to some incidents, it is incorrect to assume whole country's a mess. Considering our population, all such bad incidents would still be representing less than a minor percentage. Of course, there's a lot of scope for improvement but as you said the rat race we face on daily basis made us what we are.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that one person at a time, you have tried to show that we are a lot more than just a few news headlines. :)
AB,
DeleteThank you. Its a walking on the edge of sword situation. You know its not that worse as its made out to be; but you cant justify a bad incident. The best I figured out is to accept the fact but also educate them why ALL is not bad and let them know of the many good things. I try my best; there are many times when its embarrassing when your fellow Indians are just behaving the way they shouldnt and the belief strengthens, but then you are also there in the same place to show not everyone are the same :)