Even though San Diego is still new and I am constantly being stimulated and energized by the thrills of living in this coastal city, my travel bug never fully lies dormant. Below is an article based on an old blog post from when I was volunteering in India. I've revamped it in the hopes of submitting it to a blog site or magazine. Thought I'd share it here.
Learning to Surrender
India and I have a very clearly divided love/hate relationship. During my three month volunteer stint in a small provincial town called Hunsur, located in the state of Karnataka in Southern India, I encountered multiple incidents daily that challenged, shocked, provoked, and mesmerized me. I had my fair share of both the vexing and euphoric moments that impacted my life, highlighting the sharp contrast that defines India. I lived for the sights, smells, and sounds that I knew only India could provide, and was thrilled to be living in a place that launched me out of my comfort zone. But the more frustrating incidents I endured, combined with my somewhat neurotic love of efficiency and order, radically altered my feelings toward my temporary country of residence at the drop of a hat. It took me a while to understand why culture shock was slapping me in the face every day; I was fighting India, and I refused to believe that I couldn’t win.
Just because something is different than what I’m used to, doesn’t make it wrong. This became my mantra, but I quickly realized it’s a lot easier to believe than actually practice. I found myself getting annoyed, angry, and disheartened at things both trivial and heartbreakingly serious. Everything from the hour long bus ride to my volunteer site on a mostly deteriorated dirt road, to the 3 rupee bathroom fee they only made foreigners pay, to insect infestations and animals perpetually roaming the streets, to the barely existing regulations and teacher involvement at the school for tribal children I volunteered with, to looking into the childrens’ eyes and knowing that in all likelihood they would never know life outside their small village, grated against my preconceived notions of how the world should work. Looking back, I realize how vain and self-important I am to think that I hknew what it took to make a perfect world.
While in India I read Gregory David Roberts’ Shantaram, a mostly autobiographical book about an Australian escaped inmate who comes to live in the slums of Bombay. Chapter by chapter this page turner opened my eyes to how futile it is to adhere to my western mentality while living here in India and expect to get through one day without screaming. India has existed for over 5,000 years and will most likely not change to suit my preferences. And it shouldn’t change, because that would also mean altering the characteristics that I find irresistible.
Getting frustrated with a particular practice, belief, or ritual is a waste of time, and time is scarce. Shantaram indirectly offers advice on how to cope with the subtle nuances as well as the gaping disparities between India and my comfortable life at home. The incentives for accepting this advice, as well as for accepting the beautiful mess that is India, are plentiful and supreme.
Needless to say, I was never able to achieve enlightenment and fully accept the variances and frustrations that plagued my every day life. I don’t think any amount of time spent in India would allow me to completely come to terms with the injustices I witnessed. But when it came down to it, it had been entirely my decision to volunteer and reside in a rural town with little amenities, and I had done it willingly. I also knew that in a mere three months time, I was free to return to my comfortable home with all its American luxuries. So what possible right had I to complain?
Traveling to a new place will always inherently contain a certain amount of adjustments. But it’s up to the traveler to decide how much time they want to spend fighting to fix a culture before they can embrace the serenity that comes with integrating yourself into a culture. I can guarantee that it will hurt, but the treasures that you gain will be so worth it.
“Try to relax completely, and go with the experience. Just... let yourself go.
Sometimes, in India, you have to surrender before you win.”
Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts
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