That title sounded funny. After living in Singapore for 8 years, what is the one spot I choose to come and vacation in - Singapore. Duh!
Well it is not so dumb. I think it helped me to respect the place that I had come to take for granted. The safety, the security, the seafood - just the predictability of things.
Besides we have to celebrate Arya's birthday party here with all of her friends. I met up with a few of my friends and I was reassuring them that they are not missing out on anything by not participating in "India shining" The media is just all hype. India still has a long way to go to measure up to Singapore. And truth always hurts.
What are the things I loved about India - The warmth of the people, the kindness and hospitality, the ease with which conversations took place between perfect strangers, the opportunities that I got in my school and college, the places that I could visit, the food that I could eat, all different, all delicious. Most of all, I enjoyed the sense of association, the sense of belongingness.
Now I am different - I no longer find people warm, kind and hospitable - the national greed overwhelms me, at every point, people want to be overpaid or bribed. Schools and Colleges are part of the racket. They spew out venom and take in only kids who's parents can afford Donations - which are cleverly disguised as Admission or Registration fees. Getting from one point to another in Bangalore is such an ordeal, that one simply does not have the strength to go from one city to another. My food preferences have changed - ever since my palate has widened and I no longer find Indian food the most fabulous (although my preference for Indian sweets will live on forever). But the fact is that there are other cuisines which I find delicious and they are simply not available in India. As for the sense of association or the sense of belongingness - it's just not there. I don't belong. Not anymore.
I am starting to sound like Jhumpa Lahiri, so I better cut it out - NOW!
I am starting to sound like Jhumpa Lahiri, so I better cut it out - NOW!
1 comment:
Rightly said, i think its more likeable when you are at home and get the best food ever :) Especially for me that was the best part having home made fish all thro my vacationing days :) Nothing can beat that!!
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