CSAS Summer in South Asia 2008

« pre-departure nerves-Lainie | Main | Delhi & the Taj- Lainie Kokas »

July 01, 2008

Week One- Lainie

After some internet connection issues, power outage issues and formatting issues, I am finally able to post my first experiences and thoughts on this crazy and delicious place....

Well, I have been here for a week...and love it. There have been challenges, but nothing unmanageable and for some reason they seem to be less of a burden here, or perhaps they are just constantly put into perspective. This past week has included, some light work with Dastkar, a lot of eating, shopping, exploring Delhi, learning basic Hindi and going to the Taj Mahal!!

I am living with my friend Theresa (from Michigan) and a Punjabi family that she has become very close with over the past year here in Delhi. This is Theresa's fourth trip back to India since receiving the same grant that I have for this summer. Pretty crazy. So, I am here with her, Kavita Auntie and her son, Puneet. They are lovely, kind people. I feel so fortunate to be welcomed into their homes. There is nothing that I can complain about, except for someone caring TOO much for me. I am cooked delicious homemade Indian meals whenever I am home, get to ask all of the uncomfortable questions that one might encounter in such a foreign place and always have someone looking out for me. In all honesty though, Delhi can be a tough place if you don't have someone to show you the ropes first.

Delhi...where to begin. Size. It is big!! We live in north Delhi and I work in south Delhi, which can be an hour to two-hour commute. There is always something or someone to watch (or smell) outside, so the ride is never boring. One thing is true, life in India can be very difficult, especially if you are not well off. It's a constant struggle to not let seeing so much poverty get me down, while still maintaining a level of consciousness about it so that I am never blind to the fact that it exists, nor do I feel like I cannot help. The challenge is that there are so many Delhites who are barely making it by and helping is more difficult than I had imagined. For example, I went the Indian Habitat Centre which was featuring a photography exhibition on street children. The life that these children live at such a young age is heart wrenching. Many are addicted to smelling solvents, while others are forced to give their earnings from begging to older children. I try to carry extra food with me, but do not always manage to.

Driving.is.very.scary! I think I would pull over and start crying if I had to drive in this city. Not only is it congested, but you never know from which way another car, auto rickshaw, cyclist or pedestrian is coming! I am still not convinced that people actually drive on the left side of the street. I suppose because there are so many people all over, sometimes you just have to go the wrong way down the street! Getting around is hard because I are constantly being ripped off because it is obvious that I am foreign. Fortunately Puneet, Theresa or Kavita Auntie have been there with me for the first few days, so I am starting to understand the system. Nevertheless, I have just stopped paying attention to the road while driving and have been concentrating on capturing the bigger picture- what is really happening in Delhi.

Food. It is really delicious and starchy- chipati, roti, parantha, naan, dosa, samosa, peas, corn, and potatoes. Of course I eat other things, but those are all of the starches that comprise my average meals. I really like the food though, a lot. I have asked Kavita Auntie to teach me how to cook Indian dishes. She and I are both elated by the idea. So far, I have learned the proper way to cook roti (not the dough, just the stove top part). Im not sure if I like north Indian food or south Indian food better, but I know for sure that I like Moghuli food the least, which I ate with in Agra (Taj).

Clothes. So far, I have bought a lot of clothes. It is challenging not to because A) not many people wear western clothes B) I am trying to look a bit professional for my job and C) beautiful, colorful, tailor made clothes are so inexpensive! The other day went to about 5 stores to find the perfect fabric combination for suit pants 'pajamis', suit top, and scarf. The tricky part was that with each bundle of three different fabrics I never knew what wonders the inner two fabrics held. Sometimes the pajami would be a simple white while other times they would be multi color polka dots of all sizes, clashing, or complimenting the fabric for the top. Of course you had to buy them as a set. As the store clerk threw down the fabrics it was a mirage of colors and a great surprise. The thing that I don't get though is that almost all men wear western clothes.

Senses. India is definitely a place that requires me to use all of my senses. The scents of lavender, curry, mango, cow dung and the most commonly -sewage- flood the street. ....And so, I journey down the street through a mystical haze of smog in an auto rickshaw driver, while he blows his horn and listens to the song (literally, song) of trucks honking their 'horns' and finally as I get down I hop over a puddle and trash, splashing some on my new white pants, and I must remember to listen for if I don't I will...1- over pay for my ride and 2- get nipped by a passerby. Then a child smiles at me and blushes when I notice them staring at my light skin and hair. I can feel the rain coming, so I should head in for some chai... Tomorrow, as does everyday, requires patience and love.

Posted by lkkokas at July 1, 2008 10:57 AM

Comments

Posted by: mounicav at July 24, 2008 10:35 PM

Login to leave a comment. Create a new account.