A Taste of Incredible India

October 1, 2016
Thaltej, Ahmedabad, India

The last time I published a blog post was in 2010 and I can't remember why I stopped. I guess life happened, like it does to most of us. Today, I'm bursting with lots of things to say, for public consumption (and not enough for a Facebook post), so let me start by sharing a bit of my soul journey to India...

I've been here in India for 15 days now and one thing is for sure: I will NEVER, EVER, look at anything Indian the same way again. That is my karma.

I've been to total of five cities: New Delhi, Agra, Mohali, Chandigarh and Ahmedabad, in three states  ̶  from Uttar Pradesh and Punjab in the North, to Gandhi's state of Gujarat down south. Somewhere between Agra and Ahmedabad, like the Philippines, the country clearly displays a great divide between rich and poor, of development and under-development, and everything else that all of that entails. But I've also seen a country so hugely rich in culture and tradition, its people holding on to the old ways in sanctity while clamoring to embrace what the outside world got in store for them.

As modernity and technology find their way deeper into India, the people, albeit baby steps, find themselves picking up the best things that both worlds got to offer  ̶  with hope that one day, they can fully enjoy having that cake and eat it too, but without losing their core while at it. Coming from a small remote village myself, I find those thoughts quite familiar and even endearing to some extent.

The majestic Taj Mahal that lured me here throughout the years was just the icing on the cake. To say that there's more to a country than meets the eye is an understatement when you are in India. The predictability equation I was trying to formulate in my head evaporated under the heat of the sun, somewhere between pink sunsets and the lack of traffic rules. After this India experience, each time I would get close to losing my patience over anything, instead of erupting like a volcano in temper, I will just think of my Indian friends who would shake their heads sideways and just say "Oh, he/she is like that only" in that soft zen monotone I will always remember with fondness.

The food is just incredibly awesome, every bite an explosion of wonderful surprises. I never thought vegetarian food could be more filling than meat and carbs. My taste buds have definitely mutated, there would always be room now for anything paneer,  paratha and chapati in my rice-noodle laden stomach. I could never stand the smell of radish, much more taste it. Right now, I would spend gold coins in a heartbeat  just to have radish paratha for breakfast.

Finally, I found the reason for my long time fascination with gold, Indian cotton fabric, scented candles and even my repellent reaction to beef: I was Indian in my past life! Also, perhaps the fact that I, still to this day, do not have a single negotiating bone in my body, is maybe because I lived the life of an Indian princess in ancient times. Who knows? And those who took care of me did all the negotiating (and paying!) on my behalf while I went around shopping and dining out ̶  and this is exactly what I experienced all over again in the last 15 days. The best part? The adventure is not over yet! Truly I've been India-fied, and don't you dare burst that bubble.

Most importantly, move over Filipino hospitality. When you get welcomed to an Indian family's home, you will know what I mean. Their mantra of 'guest above all' is just overwhelmingly indescribable. From being showered with rose petals on the doorstep, to getting served food on your plate while everyone gathered around you (and you don't realize you are the only one eating!)...alas, after a thousand lifetimes of separation, the prodigal princess is back home.