In the City.

On Friday morning I found myself zipping around the crowded streets and narrow alleys through cars, bikes, and crowds of people on the back of Ramesh’s two wheeler, his motorcycle. I forgot to mention it was in the rain, so my pants and camera bag got soaked and I found new appreciation for my waterproofed shoes. The thrill of zig zagging our way around the city on Ramesh’s two wheeler was hard to appreciate as the surrounding view was of rampant poverty. I’m glad I’ve previously been in Trinidad because if I didn’t know what a third world country looked like, I think I would be freaked out. I think I was still freaked out.

I think I was going through culture shock the entire day. My brain was struggling to make sense of this completely foreign place. All the while I was worried that my health would be jeopardized from any number of the presumed health risks present in India. I became stunned. Even the cattle in the street or the people walking barefoot in mud didn’t shock or surprise me. My expectations were confirmed and I even thought it would get worse. And of course it did. I was disheartened to see the extremely dilapidated apartment buildings that looked like they would come crumbling down with just a nudge. They were similar to abandoned buildings in the US except of course, they weren’t abandoned. I have to say that one thing did catch my eye. We were speeding through a back street and I saw an older gentleman smiling underneath his tattered rainbow umbrella while waving at someone. His happiness put a smile on my face. It would have been a picture perfect moment. I also have to admit that I love the varied smells of India. California certainly does not have the same diversity so I’ve been appreciating the cornucopia of scents which have tickled my nostrils. I have yet to find myself in a stable context.