Anyways, since the time I boarded my flight to Paris (early morning), I have only been seeing morning. At Paris, its morning (breakfast). I left Paris afternoon, but DC again was morning (breakfast). Well finally by the time I saw evening, I was jet lagged. It is strange, but it is true…on every travel of mine, I get to see and study people of different colors. They are all there – Weird, Good, Shocking, Bizarre, Exceptional and Admirable. On my flight to Paris, there was this educated Indian guy with a strange demand early morning 6am. He was throwing tantrums after breakfast, but why? The flight attendant asked if he wants tea or coffee, and he replies – I want fruit salad! What? She dint ask that. Where do such people come from? Mars? When she said they don’t have fruit salad, he is like, why cant you keep? Am I not paying my fare etc etc. That was rude dude!  Well, thanks to the TV screen (can you believe? they had Indian movies)…I escaped some eccentricity of this awesome neighbor. We Indians without question lack ‘social graces’. Our demeanor is so despicable. I was stunned when I saw many Indians coming with huge bags and filling the decks of co-passengers. That is very self-centered of us and we sure need to learn to respect and consider others in our lives than just our families and us.

Equality

One thing I like about America is the practice of equality. There is no rich and poor, there is rather great importance to human life (not to be taken out of context) regardless of caste or creed he may be. This is so unlike what we have in our caste-ridden India. From Paris to DC, I had a bunch of school kids returning home, whose companionship (between the black and white I mean) very much caught my attention. Although they were using a lot of f words, their proximity with each other, tearing down the barriers of color and class was splendidly invigorating. I was cheered to see them mingle without any differences or divisions. You should spend time with our modern Indian kids. The rich never mingle with poor, fair never with dark and strong-minded never with weak-minded (an attitude passed on from their parents). There is so much of ignorance and hubris! I had this African school kid  next to me in the flight, who kept passing the food with an affable smile, asking me if I was comfortable. Christianity has induced great morality, and this is much visible in the daily conduct of people there (many however act oblivious of this fact). Putting others before you – that is no doubt the result of Gospel. Also thanks to great people like Martin Luther and William Wilbefforce who fought till the end to abolish slavery.

Indians in US

I was a little perplexed before the flight landed. Was curious on the questions I would be asked before finally being permitted to enter Uncle Sam’s land. To my surprise, the officer was an Indian. From the time I entered the airport, my eyes were just fixed on the remarkably large number of Indians, whose accent and appearance dazzled me. Everywhere I see them, the coffee bar, streets, restaurant, high-up circles, top-notch buildings, etc. Indeed am very proud to see how people of my country seem to be doing here. But again it makes me wonder why they couldn’t contribute or do proportionate works back there in their homeland to see it grow and develop. I see these tip-top executives walking in the street, following the hand signals and not littering. And when they return to India, its like they have just landed hell where no rules exist. There is this story of Gandhiji volunteering to join a group of health specialists who were checking on the outbreak of a water-related disease. So the group was asked to primarily visit the houses of poor than rich to decontaminate toilets so as to control the disease. To Gandhi’s shock, he found the homes of poor Indians with thatched roofs much clean, and the toilet needing no care. He says it was so clean in contrast with the homes of rich that were nasty and smelling. I could not have better agreed with that. In India, no doubt the poor seem to be more culture-sensitive and hygiene-conscious than elite, rich, cosmopolitan Indians who follow a double standard. Go to the home of a poor and see for yourself the love and warmth you receive from them.

Unknown India

Ok back to America. One of my very shocking experiences here was a brief conversation I had with some of my people here who seemed totally ignorant of India. I was hit with weird questions like “Do you people in India eat meat?”; “Are cows used to plow the field?”; “Do snakes sleep in your homes?”; “Do Indians own elephants?”; “Do Indians speak English?”; “Do many use internet there?”. I wondered which century I was living in. The questions took me back to the age of those epic stories we read in Ramayana. Give me a break! I should have apprised them the number of Indian sites that come in top 100 of popular sites worldwide. In fact, according to Alexa, the 13th most popular website in the world is the Google India homepage. It shows the gargantuan searches people in India do. Also, isn’t it absolutely shocking that in the last 12 years, eight Indian Americans won the National Spelling Bee competition though the community is only 1 per cent of the US population?

Food

Did I talk about food? It is all about quantity guys. Food is abundant here. My Chinese counterparts were right in describing America as a land overflowing with coke and pizza. I have gained a lot of calories for sure. You get those free fries with burgers which is double the amount of what we get back there. While the British give concern to quality than quantity, the Americans are just the opposite. It is quantity! But I like it, remember? I am a foodie! If America could rephrase the definition of Quantity, there would be plenty food that could solve the poverty issues of entire India. However, I have to tell you, there is no country like India. None at all. Would you want to spend a dollar for a 500ml water or 10 cents for a 1000ml mineral water. 5$ could fill your stomach with delicacies three-square meal in India. Here it would buy you a cheap one time meal. A Mc donald burger in India costs half a dollar. Here it costs 5$. Guys, think about it. We live in an “Incredible India”.

Social graces

By the way, it is not only food but also “thank you” overflows in this free country. “Good Morning, Sorry, Thank You”. I hear this everywhere. It is also easy to make friends here. You can say a hello or good morning to anyone with a smile. I just love it when I climb the elevator and a stranger looks to me and wishes me a “Good Morning” with a smile. It really makes my day! What is more beautiful is, greetings are not shared among people of same caste and class, rich or poor, white or black…they receive and give equal. How I wished the rich in India treated the poor with such equal respect.

Religion

Religion, that is another great aspect of this country. Freedom of religion, press or whatever ‘freedom’ you want, that is plenty. This country was founded by bible-believing Christians who fled religious persecution and started their lives with the very words “In the name of God, Amen”. Even their coins say “In God we trust”. However, in reality, it is “in ourselves we trust”. Religion is very much fading in this country. Christianity has lost its ground. Churches are empty. What is shocking is that these beautiful parishes are now rented for regular gay meetings. This country was founded with strong Christian principles, but sadly the addition and subtraction of certain elements have completely demoralized the essence of spirituality here. But, fear not, young and vibrant missionaries from India and China will be trained and sent to countries where an awakening is needed and America will be one! Indeed am very proud of how our church has been growing in US from strength to strength and I am chided and exhorted to ‘plan well’ and strive for ‘progress’. I hope to have my vision and action go together. Remember this ancient Japanese proverb? Vision without Action is Daydream; Action without Vision is Nightmare.

Why India!

Now before I take my siesta, you all sure have a million dollar question. Would I choose to return to my country or settle down in one of the most powerful and developed country? Well I would only if a day could be added to earth’s 365.2564 days The fact is it is no fun living in a DEVELOPED country. It is fun when you are living in a DEVELOPING country, being able to witness and contribute to the process of development and take great pride in it. Moreover, the sun rises and sets in the east just like it is in the west; the rain showers and flowers bloom in the east…just like in the west. We are slow at infrastructure and industry evolution but remember there is no country like India where tradition and technology go hand in hand. Where culture and modernism go hand in hand. Where our unity shines with diversity. Where democracy gets rocklike despite a population of 1.2 billion. India has achieved the skies despite being a country of just 60 years age.

The tomorrow is ours. I sure love my India! Your India!

Adios ~ SAM

So..where am I headed to? AMERICA. The land where pizza and coke overlows (that’s the description my Chinese counterparts there in US gave). Oh! they are all crazy about that land. Apparently everyday hundreds trying to get over to the land of opportunities..have no idea why the craze..but me..hmm..I am not that of a big fan…They say visiting America is one thing a man should do before dying. Is it? Let me check out..and my experience will surely be penned down for all of yaa..Let’s see if America is not just a country but a WAY as claimed.

It is my first travel to any Western country..A little perplexed..moreover I hear rumours that my American counterparts judge a man through the brand of his shirt..huh..God..please dont make me a victim of ______ (please fill in the blank). Just kidding I am sure they are super nice..and I would just feel at home with them. Sam, is that really comforting yaa? Alright at least for now let me think so..

No packing done..and my flight leaves in the next 24 hours…headed to Paris and then DC..thanks to my credit card company that I could block and confirm a super cheap ticket. Will try best to talk to yaaa all during my travel and experiences…

Till then…

ADIOS ~ SAM