The End?.?.?

Since I wasn’t getting any feedback, I didn’t think anyone was reading, however, I have received messages through the grapevine that some people want to know what happened next.  O.k. so here it is…I stopped writing in India because as we all have been taught, if there’s nothing nice to say, then we shouldn’t say anything at all.  I realized my last entry was a little harsh and didn’t want my perspective to clout anyone else’s. India was a yet another test to my endurance and psyche.  Yes, it was a deep psychological and emotional battle that I had to overcome and fortunately, I did. Well, sord of ..you know how that is…

Furthermore, I needed time back home to truly assimilate what I had been through.  O.k. that said…what did I go through???  Well, let start with the positives.  The project I worked on was totally awesome!  Loved every minute of it!  I created a business plan for the first environmental project of its kind in all of India.  I had to identify the best cities to initiate in and then pull together all important contacts.  Truth is… all the pieces came together very smoothly and felt it was kismet. The project took me to the state of Gujarat, specifically to the coastal towns of Diu, Veraval & Somnath.   In Somnath, I went to gorgeous temple where I was able to witness a Hindi ceremony, many colors, odors, people and bells.  From the outside walls of the temple, on a clear day, the South Pole is visible, as well as, the beggars on the beach shore. 

When I had free weekends. I traveled to Rishikesh, entrance to the Himalayas and where the Ganges flows. It’s where  clouds rest atop the Ganges, which is said to flow directly from Mother Nature’s soul and believed to have healing powers.  Rishikesh is where I met a yogi who invited me to stay in his home gave me a bed to sleep in, food to eat and exposure to different philosophies and theories explaining the meaning of life, the reason for existence and predictions of a” supra-human” evolution.  Deep stuff, huh? Exactly… 

I also went to Agra to visit another wonder of the world, the Taj Mahal.  That was pretty cool to see it in front of me. It’s all marble, I wouldn’t try picking it up. Never knew the words of the Ku’ran   that were around the perimeter of the arc. They say it was the greatest gift a man had made to a woman.  Is it weird to want a solar panel or windmill instead? Skip the marble; give me renewable energy. 

Indians usually see white people only in movies, so they kept asking Noeline and I for pictures.  I felt like a celebrity but Noeline didn’t appreciate it so much.  It did feel a bit creepy after a while…

Work took us through Mumbai, 20 million inhabitants, largest slums in the world… I stayed at the Taj Majal Palace. The second most luxurious resort in the city.  I was definitely not staying in a slum, sorry. I could see them from my balcony window. Actually, I would stare at them from my window. How can a country have temples which cost $40 million and also have the largest slums in the world? It is completely beyond my capacity to comprehend. Extremes interrupt flow; why segregate?   My eyes and brain had trouble coming to an agreement.   

Bollywood?  Love it!!! Indian movies are great.  They have twists and turns but they usually leave you feeling happy while learning a few songs and dances along the way.  Check out 3 Idiots, if you can.  Great movie! My Indian family rented it and had a movie night. It was fun.   

The food was delicious everywhere I went.  Absolutely loved it! The spices, the pepper, the colors, the smell and obviously, the taste.  Did you know India has more than 400 varieties of mango? Yeah, me either. The milk…I haven’t had milk in the states in years, just doesn’t sit well. In India, I would have it as often as I could.  There are huge milk factories in the major cities. They come in all different kinds of flavors: Pineapple, chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, and mango.  I tried chocolate, pineapple and mango. The ice cream is delicious and come in all kinds of flavors.  After a meal, I usually followed it with a Sweet Lassi. My mouth waters just thinking about it.  Gotta find it in Miami!  There’s a yogurt dish called Raita.  Yes, they too thought it was cute when it rhymed with my name…. 

In the house I stayed in, Grandma would make mango pickle.  A pickle from green mango’s. It rocks! Dee-licious!  I bought the spices and am in the process of making it at my parent’s now. The dishes are mostly vegetarian, as they don’t eat their sacred cows.  Instead, they let them roam on highways next to elephants and defecate anywhere they so please.      

India is so diverse each state has its own language, culture and food. It is mostly compared to Europe.  Although India is one country with many states, each state is so different than the other; it’s like traveling to another country.  

The sarees are absolutely beautiful.  So feminine in design, sexy and the material exquisitely divine.  I bought one and play dress up in my apt. Yes, I still play dress up at my age.  I plan to wear it for Halloween.  I also got henna tattoos on both of my hands.  Very intricately detailed, just gorgeous.  The women get them the day before they get married and tradition says it’s the new husband’s job to find her name hidden somewhere on her body.  Not all Hindu marriages are arranged anymore.  Women also wear it to wish a new bride prosperity with her marriage.  Which is mostly why I did it. Very ornate; just lovely.  It lasted close to 3 weeks for me but that’s because I tried my best so it would last as long as possible.  I sent my parents a pic and it was obvious my father had missed the “henna” part when he begged me to tell him that it wasn’t my hands in the picture as he was sure to die. So dramatic these Cubans… They hated it but I loved it and if I had the opportunity to do it again, I definitely would, no hesitation.  

In Delhi, I went to a play and the gentleman next to me asked me what my maternal language is.  When I told him, he said there was an “Escuela de Cervantes” down the street and was having a party.  Of course, I went.  I met some Spaniards and together we partied all night! Well, till 2am which is when Delhi bids goodnight.  Oh and by the way, Indian men are handsome and the whole Kamasutra situation makes them so much more alluring.  

So what did I learn from India?    I studied life; my words will never be able to express what my eyes have seen and what my mind shall keep sacred.  Would I go back?  Now that I know what to expect, maybe.  There was another project I left behind and would have loved to work on.  Would I live there? Absolutely not. The chaos is too much and I could very well be agoraphobic. Do I recommend that people go? Heck Yeah! Go! See what I saw and then tell me how it feels.  India is a beautiful country full of extremes that when shown, definitely test your own.

On my way back home..

On July 10^th, 9 hours later, I arrived in Paris where I met my childhood neighbors.  I was so happy to see family at this point I was quite emotional when I finally arrived at the hotel. I ate, slept, partied, ate some more, was hit on by a waitress, went to Orsay museum and met again with the UN. Overall, it was deliciously hedonistic. This trip was all about winding down and allowing India to find the place in me where she will settle.

After celebrating Bastille Day, Roxane and I were off to Belguim where in a chalet, nestled in the hills, a princess married her prince.  The princess? Cori, the daughter of Cora & Federico Estrella who have been my parent’s friends for over 30 years.  The prince? Côme, her classmate. The chalet was beyond amazing. The couple? Entirely in love.  

Once dinner and desserts were over, we headed to the dance floor to top the night off with some drinks & dancing. You know what’s great about the wine in Europe? They don’t have any sulfides, thereby eliminating hangovers.  Fantastic! My bro taught me that ;).

We slept at the chalet that evening and when the day awoke and the clouds gave way, the views of rolling hills and majestic trees in their entire Belgian splendor were breathtaking. 

Was it there where I met a prince of my own? How can I know?

I guess my story isn’t over as I have yet to find an international job but now I have more experience, not to mention, memories of a lifetime.

Still searching,

Raisa