Welcome to India!
How better to showcase the recent trip to India than the most obvious and common photo from any Indian travel portfolio, in front of the Taj Mahal in Agra. What I was the most surprised by while visiting this world famous monument was the Arabic writing along it, the most to the west of it, and its interesting Muslim history. This is in fact the most famous monument in India (perhaps the world) which is a land inhabited by hundreds of millions of Hindus. I was actually equally stunned about my lack of any real knowledge about the Taj, but now I can say I have seen it and know her brief history...not to mention her sure size and splendor. I doubt I could even imagine creating something that large made entirely out of Marble.
As for India, it was an interesting place to say the least. Upon return to the UAE the people who know me the best had made bets on who would come back from India saying what and the general consensus was that I would be going crazy about how amazing it was and all the people I met, and the others would all have had some sort of issue there (except Guillermo, my roommie for life who would enjoy it no matter what). Ironically, i didn't have such an experience. What usually comes out of my mouth was that it was OK, nothing more nothing less.
I would still like to see more of the country, but I think my malcontent nature towards India stems from my inability to adapt to the culture and the fear I had from the food and grime after getting so terrifyingly sick and knowing that I was missing certain shots and drugs while there. I think if given the chance to go back and see more, stay longer, and adapt it would be a place of wonder. I just know that for now there are certain cultural things that even after having lived with them for 8 months in Dubai I couldn't adapt to but rather lashed out when in India. Maybe my next visit or even this one in hindsight will reveal a lot more about myself than I know at this point :).
As for India, it was an interesting place to say the least. Upon return to the UAE the people who know me the best had made bets on who would come back from India saying what and the general consensus was that I would be going crazy about how amazing it was and all the people I met, and the others would all have had some sort of issue there (except Guillermo, my roommie for life who would enjoy it no matter what). Ironically, i didn't have such an experience. What usually comes out of my mouth was that it was OK, nothing more nothing less.
I would still like to see more of the country, but I think my malcontent nature towards India stems from my inability to adapt to the culture and the fear I had from the food and grime after getting so terrifyingly sick and knowing that I was missing certain shots and drugs while there. I think if given the chance to go back and see more, stay longer, and adapt it would be a place of wonder. I just know that for now there are certain cultural things that even after having lived with them for 8 months in Dubai I couldn't adapt to but rather lashed out when in India. Maybe my next visit or even this one in hindsight will reveal a lot more about myself than I know at this point :).
3 Comments:
At 13/9/05 19:30, S!lent.Sp!r!t said…
At last Mr Hensel, a NEW post about INDIA, s omething i've been waiting for.
So it seems the experience was OK! Well at times even in a country that is one of the world's wonders, one cannot adapt thyself to the culture no matter how friendly ppl are. But as you said, it may take more time being there to change that prospective about any culture.
But HEY.. you saw the TAJ MAHAL!! The story behind building it is amazing and also sad, but well it's there now.. n its BEAUTIFUL
At 13/9/05 22:11, Drake said…
our little green michigan stomachs are no match for india...i feel your pain, buddy..
At 14/9/05 10:55, Eric W Hensel said…
The Drake has risen from the ashes. Whats up man, how are you doing? You too had a death experience in India care of the food and water? What a scarily typical experience!
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