We have had several friends in town this week to see the sites of this country and to watch the India Formula One Race. On day 2 of their visit I asked them to describe what their first impressions of the country were from their US perspectives. Here is what they had to say in the order they stated it....
"India is very dirty and trashy."
"The colors are brighter than I have ever seen anywhere else. Jaipur for instance has the brightest yellows and pinks I have ever seen."
"Compared to the shiny, refined US this country is rough and unpolished."
"The cows look strange!"
"The flavors and smells are very strong here."
"It is very noisy. The horns are really loud. I love it."
"This is some serious organized chaos."
"It is tiring and exhausting."
"They don't understand the concept of personal space."
"I am more grateful for my lifestyle and the access to goods now."
"India is a contradiction at all levels. Modern in many cities like Delhi yet severely undeveloped in other areas. Polished in places like the hotels but very rough in others like local city markets. Free in some aspects but restricted in others."
"The food is amazing."
"Riding in a car is terrifying."
"Visiting India is the experience of a lifetime. Everyone should see it at some point in their lives."
"Historical and beautiful."
I thought several of these ideas when I first moved to India. Many aspects to the Indian way of life I understand more having lived here for a year. Still I am intrigued by what others think of the country I currently call home. My hope is that all people get the chance to see and experience India some time. It is certainly not a country to visit if you just want to lay around, drink, and relax during vacation. It is a place to visit if you wish to grow and change your perspective on life. Opens your eyes and your senses.
"India is very dirty and trashy."
"The colors are brighter than I have ever seen anywhere else. Jaipur for instance has the brightest yellows and pinks I have ever seen."
"Compared to the shiny, refined US this country is rough and unpolished."
"The cows look strange!"
"The flavors and smells are very strong here."
"It is very noisy. The horns are really loud. I love it."
"This is some serious organized chaos."
"It is tiring and exhausting."
"They don't understand the concept of personal space."
"I am more grateful for my lifestyle and the access to goods now."
"India is a contradiction at all levels. Modern in many cities like Delhi yet severely undeveloped in other areas. Polished in places like the hotels but very rough in others like local city markets. Free in some aspects but restricted in others."
"The food is amazing."
"Riding in a car is terrifying."
"Visiting India is the experience of a lifetime. Everyone should see it at some point in their lives."
"Historical and beautiful."
I thought several of these ideas when I first moved to India. Many aspects to the Indian way of life I understand more having lived here for a year. Still I am intrigued by what others think of the country I currently call home. My hope is that all people get the chance to see and experience India some time. It is certainly not a country to visit if you just want to lay around, drink, and relax during vacation. It is a place to visit if you wish to grow and change your perspective on life. Opens your eyes and your senses.
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