MYSTERIOUS INDIA

TAJ MAHAL

It is the romantic in me that is inspired by India.  I was not blind to the poverty, the discomfort, the inconvenience, the challenges of the country; however, because I've been 8 times to India, mostly for business, I always regretted not having more time and fortitude to explore more of the country.

I just watched a one hour old documentary on India and felt so inspired to write a post about India.  When I think about my experiences in India, I am confused.  I experienced the very good and the very bad.  It was disturbing, but also inspiring. 

SILHOUETTE OF THE MOGUL EMPIRE

It is too bad I was so ignorant about the country and the culture on my first trip to India.  I tried to study about it before I went there, but my resources were so limited in Greece.  So, I experienced India, more or less "blind", except for some horror stories told by expats who had traveled there.  (And they did not exaggerate, as my experiences there were a testament to theirs.)

India was not my favorite country.  I was afraid of it.  I was afraid of the discomfort, the chance of disease, the crowds, the stress.  (I contracted hepatitis there.)  

I was tired of being stared at with my partner.  We were both tall and large white people. The Indians giggled and pointed as we passed them by. I didn't like feeling like a "freak show".

After I contracted hepatitis, I packed our backpacks full of food.  When the food ran out, so did we!  India was the first country I've been to east of Turkey.  The stress and discomfort, however, sapped my inspiration during our business trips.

We were always on guard of being cheated and trying our best to maneuver through the cultural expectations and communicate with Indians.  Many times we failed.  We were so brash and harsh compared to their expectations.  Especially coming from Greece, we had to try very much to tone down our voices and our aggressiveness learned in another culture.

SOUTH INDIA

Yet, there was something enchanting about India that I could not forget.  So much mystery--so many unanswered questions.  If only I wasn't so cautious.

I had a spiritual experience in a Jain Temple.  I explained it to myself like this:  when a group of people come together with good intentions and worship a higher being, they create a spiritual atmosphere.  That is the closest I can resolve myself to understanding and believing in this spiritual experience.

India's ancient history of religion, of Hinduism that may well be the oldest religion in the world, fascinates me.  I have the feeling that understanding the religion of this country will help me understand the roots and courses of other religions that have evolved since then.

Yes, I can identify the religious, spiritual, and philosophical world of India as being enthralling to me.  (Although, I wonder how people can live in a world believing that everything is an illusion...!)

I found Indians to be very polite, but hard to "read".  How foreign this culture was for us!  

I found Indians to be very dishonest in business dealings, but having no apparent compunction about deceit.  So, how is that different than any other country?  It is business.

COLORS OF INDIA

The Indians reminded me of the politeness of the English.  I have no idea about which way the influences flowed.  Since I've stopped visiting India, I have found myself intrigued by every movie, documentary, and show about this country.  I don't quite understand why.

I saw many horrible things in India, more than any other country I visited.  I wondered at the kindness of strangers and the apparent succumbing to the status of the poverty-stricken.  I did not understand this country--and I still do not understand it.  Perhaps I never will. But then, that's what makes it mysterious...?

India has been conquered by the Afghans, the Moguls, and then the British.  Independence was only achieved in 1947, many thanks to the bravery and commitment of its citizens, often led by the great Mahatma (Mohandas) Gandhi.  

GOA, SOUTH INDIA

Is India better for it?  Not for me to say. However--If I were asked whether I would rather be living in a more convenient modern state, but ruled by another country...I think I would rather be independent.  That much I can agree with and understand!

Indian is so large, so populous, so diverse.  One post can never do justice to this marvelous country--neither one book, nor one set of volumes of books!  

COLORS FOR "HOLI"

I find myself yearning to revisit India, but my fear of becoming sick holding me back.  (Every time I visited, I developed dysentery.  NOT fun.)  And being older now, less strong and adventurous, leaves me less courageous.  I'm not the risk-taker I used to be!

Yet, there is so much I want to relate about my past experiences traveling to that land...and I may, in due time.

SEE POST:  THE BEAUTY OF INDIA AND INDIAN ART:  AVATARS AND DEVIS