When I started preparing for the journey home this time, I had a sense of trepidation. Three years is a long time by any count. And all the reports of India shining, developing faster than ever, had me convinced that I would have difficulty in recognizing the face of my home city!
On my way from the airport to home, I did notice some more concrete than what I remembered; a couple of more over-bridges... but, that was about it. The roads, the people, the cars, buses, autos, the canal... everything seemed exactly the same. Infact, the traffic seemed more unruly than ever! I told myself that maybe I'm looking at the wrong part of the city. Maybe much more has changed elsewhere. But, after several trips into the city, I'm yet to see any far-reaching change. I guess I had hoped for too much; three years is too short a time span for that!
I did realize something else while trying to discover the change around me. I noticed to my surprise that the change I'm searching for wasn't so much around me, as much as within me. A foul-smelling open dumpster, by the side of a major road. Crows, rats, cats, dogs and god knows what other creature feasting on it. Such a sight was never uncommon in the city. But the extreme reaction it elicited in me was surprising! Buses, taxis, autos have ever been unruly, aggressively inserting themselves in the tiniest of spaces. A taxi charged directly towards a cyclist, and at the last moment, the cyclist miraculously missed the vehicle by a few millimeters. And the driver was completely unfazed! It wasn't a mistake, it was just how things were.
Recently I had read in a regional newspaper that people in the city had become more aggressive and insensitive as a result of the fast paced growth. From whatever I could see in these few days, it seemed to be true. The leisurely pace of the city had been taken over by this giant machinery. As things have speeded up, so has the pace of life. No one wants to be left behind. People are quite sure that they are going. Going fast. I'm not sure if they know where!
After attending two weddings and receptions, there is a brief interlude before I go to Durgapur. Thereafter, I'll embark on a ten day journey to the three corners of the country. In hope of understanding more about my country. In an effort to reconnect to my roots. And evaluate everything around me, as well as within myself.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sixth Day at the Land
25th Novenber 2007
These few days were spent in adjusting to the environment. The general nature of ill-maintenance was quite stark at start. The initial shock was fast transformed into acceptance and re-accostomization. The frequent excursions in these few days helped with it. I also spent considerable time evaluating the amount of transformation of my home city over these three years. Those thoughts for a later time!
Already I have been to the wedding and reception of two of my very close friends. The wedding was a rather small affair, with about 60-80 guests. Even the rituals were quite simplified, I guess in view of the fact that the groom is not a Hindu.
The WeddingThe reception on the other hand, was a gala event at a club of south kolkata. That such a big area existed within the city, was previously unknown to me!
The Reception Venue
At the reception, a friend of the groom, had just flown in from the bay area. He had a 12-hr halt at the thai airport, and the lounge being under construction! He had apparently spent the day in shopping for his wedding (in another week), and then had come for the event. After all this, he looked quite as fresh as anyone else! I could not imagine myself doing so, jet-lag and tiredness would surely take its toll. Some people are quite insensitive to the amount of sleep and tiredness.. I envy them!
I had to take the Metro for both the events. The good old Metro, which was my daily transportation for more than three years. Those carefree school days! Seems like another lifetime.
10pm, Same day
... One more hurdle crossed! I had heard horror stories about JFK international.. and was mentally prepared for it. But even then the sheer complexity and confusion had me for a ride! If it is possible to get completely lost at an airport, it is right here.. the security personell are not too helpful either, I guess they get tired of continuously directing lost souls.
The security queue was quite long, with a shrill periodic reminder of our 'middle class' nature - 'business and first class passengers, over here please!' Something that amazes me at airports, and especially here at NYC, the center of the world, of how such a diverse and diverging population converge into this cesspool. The 4 yr old crying on seperation from a dear one, the 'carrie-miranda-charlotte-samantha' of NYC bothered by it, the teenager on cellphone and the elderly just hoping that the line would end.
There is a gradual transformation in the nature of crowd as I progress towards my destination. Already at the emirates gate here at JFK, the proportion of Inidans are in a majority, rather an overwhelming majority. Even the ratio of bengalees seems to have grown significantly. I dread that the last leg is going to be them exclusively. Although most of my friends with whom I am comfortable are from the region, but for some reason, the 'typical' probashi bengalee causes an allergic reaction in me. I guess its just the over-importance of self that we typically possess.. I have to get used to it soon!
The general energy levels at airports usually are very low.. most people are concerned about the journey, hoping for a smooth ride. Some are engrossed in the things that they leave behind, and others in the thoughts of things to come. Very few, if any, are present at the scene. Except for the children. The children are liveliest here. Freed from the cramping confines on-board, they give full vent to their energy. It clashes starkly with the sombre thoughts of the 'grown-ups'.
I am about to leave the american soil in a couple of hours. The bindings to this land pull me hard, I just have to break them without looking back. I had come to this new land to find a new beginning.. feels like the circle has come around, with me looking forward to a new adventure ahead!
... One more hurdle crossed! I had heard horror stories about JFK international.. and was mentally prepared for it. But even then the sheer complexity and confusion had me for a ride! If it is possible to get completely lost at an airport, it is right here.. the security personell are not too helpful either, I guess they get tired of continuously directing lost souls.
The security queue was quite long, with a shrill periodic reminder of our 'middle class' nature - 'business and first class passengers, over here please!' Something that amazes me at airports, and especially here at NYC, the center of the world, of how such a diverse and diverging population converge into this cesspool. The 4 yr old crying on seperation from a dear one, the 'carrie-miranda-charlotte-samantha' of NYC bothered by it, the teenager on cellphone and the elderly just hoping that the line would end.
There is a gradual transformation in the nature of crowd as I progress towards my destination. Already at the emirates gate here at JFK, the proportion of Inidans are in a majority, rather an overwhelming majority. Even the ratio of bengalees seems to have grown significantly. I dread that the last leg is going to be them exclusively. Although most of my friends with whom I am comfortable are from the region, but for some reason, the 'typical' probashi bengalee causes an allergic reaction in me. I guess its just the over-importance of self that we typically possess.. I have to get used to it soon!
The general energy levels at airports usually are very low.. most people are concerned about the journey, hoping for a smooth ride. Some are engrossed in the things that they leave behind, and others in the thoughts of things to come. Very few, if any, are present at the scene. Except for the children. The children are liveliest here. Freed from the cramping confines on-board, they give full vent to their energy. It clashes starkly with the sombre thoughts of the 'grown-ups'.
I am about to leave the american soil in a couple of hours. The bindings to this land pull me hard, I just have to break them without looking back. I had come to this new land to find a new beginning.. feels like the circle has come around, with me looking forward to a new adventure ahead!
Start of a Journey
18th Noveber 2007
I've been meaning to start this for a couple of days now.. but with all the pre-travel blues, this is the first time I am actually free enough to just sit and write.
Currently 5pm, Nov 18th at the Pittsburgh international airport.. waiting for the delta flight to JFK. All my initial concerns turned out to be baseless, the baggages got checked in fine.. had to do a minor adjustment, transferring some stuff to the carry-on. Thankfully, I did not have to take the heartbreaking decision of choosing which gift to leave behind!
Sitting at the terminal, I feel an unusual floating sensation. Wafts from my earlier identity seeping in.. thoughts and events that had turned so bleak and insignificant through these three long years, are claiming their identity once more. The indian grad student at cmu seems to gradually dissolve as the foreign staying son of proud parents comes into focus.
At this moment I'm acutely feeling how roots grow at a place. Over these years, I've become completely accustomed to calling this city my home. Now it feels like I'm moving away from home, away to a another home. All that might change in the first few days, but i'm making no assumptions.
I have read blogs recounting the experiences of visiting India. But all were westerner's view of our 'exotic' country. I'm about to embark on a journey to rediscover. Stay tuned to to follow me through the myrad expression that is India, my home.
I've been meaning to start this for a couple of days now.. but with all the pre-travel blues, this is the first time I am actually free enough to just sit and write.
Currently 5pm, Nov 18th at the Pittsburgh international airport.. waiting for the delta flight to JFK. All my initial concerns turned out to be baseless, the baggages got checked in fine.. had to do a minor adjustment, transferring some stuff to the carry-on. Thankfully, I did not have to take the heartbreaking decision of choosing which gift to leave behind!
Sitting at the terminal, I feel an unusual floating sensation. Wafts from my earlier identity seeping in.. thoughts and events that had turned so bleak and insignificant through these three long years, are claiming their identity once more. The indian grad student at cmu seems to gradually dissolve as the foreign staying son of proud parents comes into focus.
At this moment I'm acutely feeling how roots grow at a place. Over these years, I've become completely accustomed to calling this city my home. Now it feels like I'm moving away from home, away to a another home. All that might change in the first few days, but i'm making no assumptions.
I have read blogs recounting the experiences of visiting India. But all were westerner's view of our 'exotic' country. I'm about to embark on a journey to rediscover. Stay tuned to to follow me through the myrad expression that is India, my home.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)