This was written upon arriving in India for the first time during my 2016 study abroad program. This shares my first thoughts of arriving in India and the whiplash that it seems India can bring to someone coming for the first time.
“How is India” is the usual question that I am getting from friends and family back home. On the surface, it seems like a simple question with which I respond “good” or “fantastic”. However, this question, just like India is complex. With every state, city, and even ghat, India has is similarities and vast differences. How can I even begin to tell the experiences and emotions of studying abroad in a place like Varanasi, India when I can barley process it myself?
Because it is so complex, India can never be told by one story – even if it is told by yours truly. While I will be in India for almost 4 months, this blog post and the many others I write will be from my perspective, a perspective that comes with privileges and an outsider-looking-in feel.
Let’s see if I can provide a longer answer to the question “How is India”.
Arriving in Delhi after a full day of flying in an airplane was disorientating, but exciting. It was 2 in the morning, but I was finally in India! I was ready to get going (mostly to bed at that point). Well the place we stayed at in Delhi was nice. I would probably have said it more like “noooice” if I had the energy at that point. The bed was big, the shower was hot, and the food was delicious. I could already tell by lunch the first day that मटेर पनीर (Matar Paneer), a dish comprised of peas and cheese, and I were going to get along quite well.
The Colonel Hostel and staying in Delhi was just that, nice and quite well. It was an introduction to India. That India, those days in Delhi, were nice. Of course they were filled with orientation, intensive Hindi classes, and a few trips to some beautiful sights such as the Qitb Minar and Jama Masjid, but it was easy going. I say this now after traveling with the rest of the UW in India folks to our final destination of Varanasi.
Varanasi is a different story. Delhi was flooded with car traffic. While in Varanasi, traffic is more chaotic with more cows, bikes, and auto rickshaws everywhere. Everyone still manages however to use the horn generously. It is the signaling device of India. If a auto is coming behind you, the horn honks. Motorbike turning? The horn honks. Two cows blocking the road? The horn honks. It is chaos, but organized chaos.
Varanasi is more conservative in the sense of dress. It seemed that more women and men wore western styled clothing in Delhi than they do in Varanasi. The traditional attire such as a sari or salwar kameez appears to be more popular and necessary here. I want to do my best to learn firsthand about Indian culture and life while in Varanasi. So, it is really nice that I will also be able to wear a salwar soon.
There is so much to say and classes have not officially started yet. My initial feelings so far are excitement, amazement, questioning, and a tad bit overwhelming. That is also how I can answer the question so far of “How is India”. Varanasi to me is a place of excitement. It’s amazing with all of its temples, people, and everyday life. It makes me wonder many things from the seemingly small “Why are there cows everywhere?” to the larger “How does Religion really play a part in people’s lives here.”
I can’t wait for what lies ahead in this study abroad journey. I am so grateful that I can be here after other study abroad experiences and humbled when thinking of all the people who gave me support and helped me achieve this dream of mine.
We are all a fabulous bunch!
Until next time!