Staying in a foreign country has its effects on the thoughts of an average Indian mind. Unknowingly they compare things in the US (Still a Foreign country for me) to things back home (Bombay). It starts with prices… and all of a sudden your mental mathematics expertise shoots up as you keep converting every dollar to rupee, regardless of the the buying power of a dollar. Economics governs everybody’s world unless ofcourse…u were born with a bunch of platinum spoons in your mouth! Hence money comparisons cross every NRI’s mind!
The next BIG comparison is ‘lifestyle’! Life in India is full and practically overflowing with people. The huge population kinda takes the personal space concept out of one’s life…and after living like that for 23 years….having a little too much of space….scares me! At first it’s great….you have the supreme authority and are answerable to no one…but as the initial novelty wears off… one (specifically me) craves for the familiar intrusions and unsolicited advices forced upon you by “well-wishers”. Honestly…lack of these so called well wishers has taken the element of gossip out of my life!
Another thing I compare with the American way is potential vacuum in place of rituals and prayers! Total lack of festivals…except for Christmas which too is a “holiday”! Festivals were a time when all family members and friends came together and gossiped and yelled and cheered together. The excitement is missing and I really, truly miss that!
I miss the seasonal monsoons….. don’t get me wrong. I love the fact that it can rain any part of the year here in the US…however there is no gurantee….atleast this way in Bombay you know if its June-Sept. it will rain! Miss the trips to Khandala to watch the fountains, the fog almost among us! The garam batata wadas…the hot cappa chais! Miss the local trains (thought have a sneaking suspicion that the only reason I miss them is..that I never travelled in rush hours!!) Miss my school days…where there wasn’t a worry in the world…miss the college days full of outings with J! Miss late night movies and visit to aunts place with mum n dad! Miss being ** kgs!! :D
All in all Bombay is where my heart is…and sincerely hope that I return someday to stay there….forever!
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