Feeling like the albino outcast in this ever busy 3rd world country and being looked at like I am the only one they have ever seen in their life, I get the chance to experience the city first hand. Currently sitting at their equivalent of a DMV, I take and notice all the smells and sounds around me. Not to mention trying to absorb the surroundings of everyday lives in India.
Behind me sit a row of "flats", what we call apartment or condos in America. I notice their work of laundry hanging out to dry and continued house cleaning throughout the day. Where as in USA, most parents would be working or running children to and from activities. Here there is no rush or hurries in this part of the world. Just the simple joy of having a place to call home and maintaining it out of pure enjoyment. Something I may never understand.
Before me in a parking lot of their "DMV", the hustle and bustle of newly found freedom on the roads keeps the joyful buzz in the air. Seems like people gather together to celebrate this moment in each other's lives. A person here feels loved and wanted. A part of a "community". One is never alone in such a world like this.
So much chatter and noise with horns honking and motorcycles revving up, yet one can still hear the hundreds of birds up in the trees.
Many children just walk among the streets. Ages here seem younger than what anyone in America would say is safe to walk along the streets in USA. Perhaps we coddle our children too much? But in hindsight, the children roam and respect traffic coming and going.
I watch as two little boys giggle together on their way to a local stall to purchase a snack. No shoes on, mismatch clothes and filthy as ever....they are so happy to have money for a treat! Their anticipation of eating and sharing this snack brings joy to their simplistic lives. They SHARE one bag of chips. Just a small one at that! I personally know my two children would fight over the bag, but not here, they share so peacefully and give the biggest smile at me when I look at them.
A mother on the side of the street with no cover over her head, gently plays with her baby as if no one else in the world exists at that moment! As long as the baby is smiling back and cooing to her she is happy and it shows on her face.
Observing a naked child, probably no older than 3 years old, on the sides of the road about to take a dip into the local reservoir. Parents probably working and being watched by other siblings, or if they are around they aren't so "dotting" as American parents where we don't allow our children out till much much older.
I asked the question to my husband, "Why have more children if you can't afford them?" He replied, "The children are simply extra hands to help." One would consider it irresponsible in my upbringing to bring a child into the world if one could not afford them. Another onlooker say from a country like India, would consider it resourceful. Anyway one looks at the situation is right depending on one's upbringing. Here the children don't burden the parents with too much upkeep. No diapers ( have nature!), no pre-school or daycare (have friends and older siblings), and no toys (world is their playground!). As soon as one can walk, they are helping out their families as much as possible.
So in closing of this entry.... "Life is simple, so many times we take things for granted. Look around you and take notice of the simple life that can be yours."
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