*the author wishes you to note that this is a long long post. should you not wish to read it or not have the time, the crux of the message is that she is ok, doing well and is happy - no major train-smashes... yet (simply small ones!!)
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Namaste Namaste Namaste!!
Two words – Shabaash India!!
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I’m not sure if I’m brave or stupid and I hoped to find out by the time I arrived in India. Unfortuntely I haven’t an answer for you yet!
And so the journey begins...
I arrived in the motherland at midnight at the tail end of the monsoon season. I was met at the airport by an angel who had taken me under her wing before we had even met (through e-mails and smses)! Savita Bhen took me to her home and after a long flight and bad food I enjoyed some amazing hospitality. Fortunately, I didn’t catch any rain at all and was on the 10am flight to Bangalore in the morning. In Bangalore, I was met by Ashika Kaki – another god-sent in a crazy crazy city! Although I’d never been to Bangalore before, the atmosphere was lovely (although looney) and it’s definitely a place I could have some fun in! Bangalore also houses the legislative buildings which are truely something to see. Without sounding soppy, seeing the huge ashoka pillar mounted atop the roof filled me with pride – yeh mera des hai!! Onwards to the bus-stop which was complete chaos! The bus ride to Mysore was around 4 hours and the scenery en route was lovely (even though by this stage of my journey keeping my eyes open was truly a challenge!) – although I must say that not much can beat South African landscapes! Anyway, after arriving in Mysore, I could not find (Shamla) Amma and (Krishna) Appa anywhere!! I felt like a sore thumb!! No doubt, my enormous suitcase and confused expression gave me away! Luckily, I had taken some Rupee coins with me from South Africa and was able to call Amma from nearby p.c.o – aka callbox (please don’t ask me what that stands for – I’m not sure I’ll ever find out either!!!). It turns out that they were at the other end of the bus-stop at 3:45 and my bus only pulled in at 4:30. Oi vey. All’s well that ends well and at the end of an exhausting journey I reached a destination that has fast become home.
Amma and Appa have taken me in as their own and I really do feel comfortable – totally at home here. I’ve learnt to make tea and coffee (yes, the sugary, milky, espresso size type oh-so-unique to India!) and have learnt a few of the local customs. The language here is Kanada and slowly slowly (nidhaana nidhaana) I’m picking it up. Amma has been very instrumental in this – insisting that I note down and memorise at least 10 words every day. Amma and Appa’s house has become home and I think there are going to be a few tears when I move out.
On the uni side of things – if I prepared myself for things to be different I was grossly wrong. My God, things here are TOTALLY different!!! For starters, the uni confidently forgot to mention that admission dates have been extended to 31 July – which means that academic admission will only start after 31 July. They also kindly omitted to let me know that lectures start (or the academic year starts) at the end of August!!! Mmm… I have a feeling I have much to learn in this foreign yet strangely familiar country! The hostel is a totally different story. The rooms are tiny tiny tiny and are sharing – yes, sharing… which means that there are two beds, two desks and one cubboard for two students. The bathrooms are from another planet – eastern toilets and bucket baths with no hot water in the taps – there is one central hot water tap. Don’t get me wrong – I’m here for a different experience but dude, I still need to get qualification! I’m not sure if I would be able to function for long in that kind of an environment – I’m not sure if I want to! Generally speaking, hostels are not cool – the doors shut at 7:30pm, which means you absolutely have to be indoors by 7:30, or you’re sleeping with the cows for the night. Also, I’ve heard some nasty things about ‘ragging’ and initiation practices that I really don’t want to be a part of. So… after far too much roaming round Mysore city in the blazing sun looking at different types of accommodation, I’ve finally settled on a room as a paying guest. It’s a sharing room (which for the most part is unavoidable) and rent includes food and peace and quiet! It seems relatively safe and there is someone to do washing as well (for a small fee). The owner is a spinster and my room-mate is a computer engineer. Considering the options, I think it’s the best move and Appa is very happy with the arrangement. We all feel that at the beginning, it would be good to have some sort of support before I try a hand at the independent thing.
Phew! What a story na!! And all this in less than one week!!
Honestly speaking, I think I’ve been too pre-occupied to miss home – but but but – what I miss more than anything else is the people at home and the relationships we share. The ants bite, Amma and Appa call my mug a jug, and I have to squat and bath, as there is no warm water shower (something I’m going to have to get used to – fast!)… But pity party aside, I’m in for the ride of my life and even though a part of me rebels against it, there is equally another side, which gracefully embraces it.
And so begins the journey of a lifetime… and ends my rather long-winded Ramayan.
Until next time
Adieu…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Namaste Namaste Namaste!!
Two words – Shabaash India!!
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I’m not sure if I’m brave or stupid and I hoped to find out by the time I arrived in India. Unfortuntely I haven’t an answer for you yet!
And so the journey begins...
I arrived in the motherland at midnight at the tail end of the monsoon season. I was met at the airport by an angel who had taken me under her wing before we had even met (through e-mails and smses)! Savita Bhen took me to her home and after a long flight and bad food I enjoyed some amazing hospitality. Fortunately, I didn’t catch any rain at all and was on the 10am flight to Bangalore in the morning. In Bangalore, I was met by Ashika Kaki – another god-sent in a crazy crazy city! Although I’d never been to Bangalore before, the atmosphere was lovely (although looney) and it’s definitely a place I could have some fun in! Bangalore also houses the legislative buildings which are truely something to see. Without sounding soppy, seeing the huge ashoka pillar mounted atop the roof filled me with pride – yeh mera des hai!! Onwards to the bus-stop which was complete chaos! The bus ride to Mysore was around 4 hours and the scenery en route was lovely (even though by this stage of my journey keeping my eyes open was truly a challenge!) – although I must say that not much can beat South African landscapes! Anyway, after arriving in Mysore, I could not find (Shamla) Amma and (Krishna) Appa anywhere!! I felt like a sore thumb!! No doubt, my enormous suitcase and confused expression gave me away! Luckily, I had taken some Rupee coins with me from South Africa and was able to call Amma from nearby p.c.o – aka callbox (please don’t ask me what that stands for – I’m not sure I’ll ever find out either!!!). It turns out that they were at the other end of the bus-stop at 3:45 and my bus only pulled in at 4:30. Oi vey. All’s well that ends well and at the end of an exhausting journey I reached a destination that has fast become home.
Amma and Appa have taken me in as their own and I really do feel comfortable – totally at home here. I’ve learnt to make tea and coffee (yes, the sugary, milky, espresso size type oh-so-unique to India!) and have learnt a few of the local customs. The language here is Kanada and slowly slowly (nidhaana nidhaana) I’m picking it up. Amma has been very instrumental in this – insisting that I note down and memorise at least 10 words every day. Amma and Appa’s house has become home and I think there are going to be a few tears when I move out.
On the uni side of things – if I prepared myself for things to be different I was grossly wrong. My God, things here are TOTALLY different!!! For starters, the uni confidently forgot to mention that admission dates have been extended to 31 July – which means that academic admission will only start after 31 July. They also kindly omitted to let me know that lectures start (or the academic year starts) at the end of August!!! Mmm… I have a feeling I have much to learn in this foreign yet strangely familiar country! The hostel is a totally different story. The rooms are tiny tiny tiny and are sharing – yes, sharing… which means that there are two beds, two desks and one cubboard for two students. The bathrooms are from another planet – eastern toilets and bucket baths with no hot water in the taps – there is one central hot water tap. Don’t get me wrong – I’m here for a different experience but dude, I still need to get qualification! I’m not sure if I would be able to function for long in that kind of an environment – I’m not sure if I want to! Generally speaking, hostels are not cool – the doors shut at 7:30pm, which means you absolutely have to be indoors by 7:30, or you’re sleeping with the cows for the night. Also, I’ve heard some nasty things about ‘ragging’ and initiation practices that I really don’t want to be a part of. So… after far too much roaming round Mysore city in the blazing sun looking at different types of accommodation, I’ve finally settled on a room as a paying guest. It’s a sharing room (which for the most part is unavoidable) and rent includes food and peace and quiet! It seems relatively safe and there is someone to do washing as well (for a small fee). The owner is a spinster and my room-mate is a computer engineer. Considering the options, I think it’s the best move and Appa is very happy with the arrangement. We all feel that at the beginning, it would be good to have some sort of support before I try a hand at the independent thing.
Phew! What a story na!! And all this in less than one week!!
Honestly speaking, I think I’ve been too pre-occupied to miss home – but but but – what I miss more than anything else is the people at home and the relationships we share. The ants bite, Amma and Appa call my mug a jug, and I have to squat and bath, as there is no warm water shower (something I’m going to have to get used to – fast!)… But pity party aside, I’m in for the ride of my life and even though a part of me rebels against it, there is equally another side, which gracefully embraces it.
And so begins the journey of a lifetime… and ends my rather long-winded Ramayan.
Until next time
Adieu…
