Indians are particularly scared about the "swine flu." This is extremely annoying since they've only had about 1000 cases in the last three months. From what I hear, the U.S. has had about 45,000 cases. Now, I'm all for being careful. By all means, take your vitamin C, drink lots of fluids, wash your hands before eating, even buy one of those stupid masks if it helps you sleep at night. But when my cousin is so paranoid that she tells me not to open my mouth while we're shopping in a busy market because she's afraid I'll get infected, things have just gone too far. How am I supposed to fight with this nice man about the price of this skirt if I can't open my mouth?
So here, I make my request. Please, people, chill out.
About 4 or 5 months ago when H1N1 first came into our lives there were about 7 billion people living on the planet. Less than 1200 of them have died of the swine flu. In that same amount of time many, many more have died in car accidents, from malaria, protesting their governments, in drive by shootings... So, if you insist on being the kind of person who lives in constant fear of death, at least break up the day a little by worrying about some things you might actually die from.
And in the meantime, keep in mind that a very great man (I can't actually remember which one right now and I don't feel like looking it up. I think it was one of the Roosevelts) but nevertheless a very great man did once tell us that, "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself." And a particularly brilliant journalism student once wrote in her blog that, "Though the brave may not live forever, the cautious do not live at all."
So, my dear friends and family, put down your newspapers that hype up everything in order to get you to renew your subscriptions, take off your face masks and come outside. If you've been hiding from H1N1 you have been missing a truly beautiful summer.
Second of all:
Since this will be my very last post from India, and as this country has completely won my heart, it seems appropriate to say a few words in India's honor.
A few weeks ago, I would have given almost anything for a slice of pizza and a hot, spider-free shower. I missed American English, cars with the drivers seat on the left side where it belongs and my parents. Traveling to a developing country outside of the West is unbelievably different from traveling to Canada or Europe. As a result, I'm afraid that some of my earlier posts here may have given you the wrong idea. Worse, I'm afraid that some or all of you may have decided that India is a place you'll probably never want to visit based on what you've read here. I'm going to do everything I can in this post to change that, because not to come to India at some point in your life to would be to miss out on one of the most amazing experiences you'll ever have. I love you all and I don't want that on my conscience, so please, based on what you are about to read, reconsider.
To a westerner, India is, first and foremost, shocking. No pictures, imported goods, text books, documentaries or blogs of snotty college students can possibly prepare you for the real thing, up close. But Indians talk about their country like she is a person, and as you get to know India you realize why. When she decides you're ready she begins to show you sides of herself that are not only shockingly beautiful, but that would be entirely impossible to experience in a developed country. One day you go for a hike because you need to get out and hiking reminds you of home and when you arrive at the top of the mountain panting and turn around you think you must have actually died on the way up because no place on earth could possibly be this beautiful. Or a little boy who you can't even communicate with well enough to learn his name because he doesn't speak a word of English and you don't speak a word of Tamil decides he's going to make friends with you anyway. Or a woman who is so poor that she literally built her one room house with her own hands invites you in and offers you tea just because you were passing by. And then you're hooked. These were my "oh, wow" moments. If you make the trip, you'll have your own.
So, in an effort to either change your mind or reaffirm your decision about visiting India, here is a list of the things about this country that I have fallen in love with. I hope you'll make me a list of what yours were when you get home from your trip.
I love you all and I'll write again from Jordan
Caddie
What I love about India:
2. Bright green birds
3. How people don't run when it rains, they hold out their arms thanking God for the relief from the heat
4. Naan (Indian bread), Burfi (Indian sweet)
5. The markets
6. The way that people press their palms together, bow and say "namaste" instead of shaking hands
7. Exploring temples barefoot (they make you leave your shoes outside out of respect)
8. The flowers
10. Tiny hand carved stone elephants
11. The journalism
12. Mango
13. Silks in colors I never knew existed
14. Yoga
15. Monkeys that sit on the roofs of produce stands waiting for a chance to steal fruit
16. The accent of Indians who aren't quite fluent in English
17. How Indians believe that everything from dry skin to a broken toe can be cured with healing oils
18. The red dust they rub on your forehead at temples
19. Fighting with shop owners over 50 cents as if it were $100 (Actual conversation: Me: "I'll give you 1000 rupies." Sales guy:"This very nice, handmade! I can't loose money! I'll give you for 1050 rupies. Special price for you." Me: "Are you crazy? I'll leave right now!")
20. Indian music
21. The mountains
22. Pondicherry
23. The complete lack of pretension in Indian culture that allows Indians to tell you exactly what they're thinking, exactly when they're thinking it
24. Orissa dancing
25. Snake charmers
27. Indian architecture, especially the wide, sloping arches and domes
28. The attention to detail
29. Fresh juice from any kind of fruit, especially watermelon, plum and mango
30. Four meals a day instead of three
31. Women in saris carrying loads two or three time their own size on their head
32. The Indian belief that God lives in each person
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