When I lived in Switzerland, I had a small veranda off of the sitting room in my apartment. If I wanted to, I could walk to the left-hand side and lean over until I was almost horizontal and my “veranda view” would include Lac Leman (Lake Geneva). Dorothy, we’re not in Switzerland anymore.
Like Switzerland, there is definitely a mass of housing units across from the veranda where I now sit- but they’re in need of a paint job and the alley-way connecting them is filled with potholes. If I lean out horizontally and to the left here at the Coffin family’s flat in Ashok Vihar, Delhi- there is a garden. In front of the garden this morning there is a man on a riksha (pronounced: rikshaw) looking hopeful for some business as the early-rising Indians begin their days. On the opposite side of the street there are two cars parked directly under no-parking signs. Morning walks seem popular (perhaps necessary) and kids are making their way to school via taxis, on top of which they throw their backpacks.
The flight over was filled with no less activity. During the first three hours a fight broke out in one of the middle rows between 5 or 6 people, and attracted a few more people to form a small crowd. An Indian woman began yelling at a flight attendant to call 911. The man sitting beside me who had just finished explaining his prostate issues said, “They are acting crazy!” That was before I went to the bathroom, which included hopping over the older woman at the end of my row, who wasn’t keen on moving from her spot once when I or the man with prostate issues had to go to the bathroom.
That being said, Air India provided an enjoyable flight. The flight attendants wore the most beautiful saris, they provided us with bottled water, and the food was hands down the best airline food I’ve ever had. This morning I will go with the Coffins to VDS, along with Brendan and Jeremy (two other Americans who are staying with the Coffins right now) to see and learn a bit more about the ministry they’ve been doing among Indians and internationals for the last month or so.
I have yet to venture far off of this veranda. As I go this morning, I carry with me the excitement that is inevitable prior to the full onset of culture shock. As I go this morning, I desire to lean far enough outside of the culture I carry with me in order to not only see India, but to taste, touch, and hear India- and all she has to teach me.
