Within the first days, I had the same question in my mind when I came first time to India three years back. "What the hell am I doing?". Why do I need to put myself in the situation of leaving my comfort zone and having no clue whats going to happen? Discussing every time about the price of every watermelon I buy, every day. Just because I am white and I have the money. First, yes! I buy every day a watermelon and eat it up. Get over it ;) Second, I am white, but I do not have the money.
The feeling of being observed on the streets, just because I dress a little different can be tiring. Eyes lay on you what you buy on the market, who are you with, and how you act.
And that is the exact reason why I need to put myself out of my comfort zone. Because when you actually get yourself out you will come across the watermelon seller who just gives you an apple for free because he appreciates me as a reliable customer. He knows exactly that I want to have the biggest watermelon he has. Our daily conversation is more dependent on body language. He just points out the greatest watermelon he has, gives that one a clap. I suppose he tries to find out the quality by the sound. If that works, who knows, and I give him a smiling, confirming nod.
And yes, people on the streets tend to look at me. That does not only happen in my imaginations. But those looks have nothing to do with hostility. People look because they do not see a white person with blond hair and blue eyes every day. It is a very positive curiosity about you, and interest in you. Many people just start talking to you and express their interest. You can have a conversation anywhere and at any time. Best example, this morning. I sat in the Uber towards my work and I shared a car with a really outspoken man. He welcomed me with a fresh "Good morning" and started talking immediately. What I am doing here, where I come from, my studies, and how I like India. Unfortunately, he left out my favorite question of "What is your father's and mother's name?". Ya, sometimes seemingly strange questions arise. But the family has huge importance in life here and they ask and include the family out of respect for them and you.
On the weekend I met another Couchsurfer and we spend the day roaming around on the super busy Sarojini Market in South Dehli.
He, constantly nervous if I am comfortable with so many people around, was a nice guy who showed the same interest in me and we had great conversations throughout the day.
At the end of the day, we sat down and had nice food and beers. I had the stupid idea to choose a beer made in China. I surely would not say anything about Chinese people, but that beer was far from good. It went better for my friend. I suggested a good old Flensburger for him and he did like it. Being experimental is one thing, but with beer, I stay grounded and boring. Next time, I go with a Flens as well ;)
After a great day, we tried to get the car back we parked in a parking block. That just took us ages, because the Indian engineers had the fantastic idea to create a parking block with car lifts. The thing is, that you are not allowed to use the lift yourself. So, you wait for ages to get into the underground station with a hundred other people and give the keys to a driver who takes the lift and park your car. It sounds exciting. I mean, taking the lift with a car. But, in this case, you just wait that cars in front of the change driver, enter the lift and disappear. With a hundred people who have the same destination, you can imagine how much time that takes. We made a joke about it and said, the Germans would have done that more efficiently.
Talking about beer. Sunday evening I gathered some people who joined me for a salsa evening. The salsa evening itself fell through. We entered the location and they did not even play Latin music. But the main story happened in the car before. We packed the car with five people and were on our way. We found a beer bottle on the back-seat and decided to have it before we arrived. Me, in my experience history of beer drinking, took the responsibility to open the bottle with another bottle. I completely underestimated the pressure of the bottle and I ended up, having the crown cap in my eye. Literally in my eye! Honestly, I could have foreseen that. I had no idea how long the bottle was residing in this car, but it had good enough 25 degrees. In my excitement, I did not think of my actions. Happily, nothing happened. I have half visioned the rest of the evening and was complaining about 'eye pain' the first time in my life. Also happy me, except a little swelling no colors showed, fortunately. I would have had no idea how to explain a blue eye to my colleagues.
I would have definitely not gone with the true story.
Bis bald,
Johanna
The feeling of being observed on the streets, just because I dress a little different can be tiring. Eyes lay on you what you buy on the market, who are you with, and how you act.
And that is the exact reason why I need to put myself out of my comfort zone. Because when you actually get yourself out you will come across the watermelon seller who just gives you an apple for free because he appreciates me as a reliable customer. He knows exactly that I want to have the biggest watermelon he has. Our daily conversation is more dependent on body language. He just points out the greatest watermelon he has, gives that one a clap. I suppose he tries to find out the quality by the sound. If that works, who knows, and I give him a smiling, confirming nod.
And yes, people on the streets tend to look at me. That does not only happen in my imaginations. But those looks have nothing to do with hostility. People look because they do not see a white person with blond hair and blue eyes every day. It is a very positive curiosity about you, and interest in you. Many people just start talking to you and express their interest. You can have a conversation anywhere and at any time. Best example, this morning. I sat in the Uber towards my work and I shared a car with a really outspoken man. He welcomed me with a fresh "Good morning" and started talking immediately. What I am doing here, where I come from, my studies, and how I like India. Unfortunately, he left out my favorite question of "What is your father's and mother's name?". Ya, sometimes seemingly strange questions arise. But the family has huge importance in life here and they ask and include the family out of respect for them and you.
On the weekend I met another Couchsurfer and we spend the day roaming around on the super busy Sarojini Market in South Dehli.
He, constantly nervous if I am comfortable with so many people around, was a nice guy who showed the same interest in me and we had great conversations throughout the day.
After a great day, we tried to get the car back we parked in a parking block. That just took us ages, because the Indian engineers had the fantastic idea to create a parking block with car lifts. The thing is, that you are not allowed to use the lift yourself. So, you wait for ages to get into the underground station with a hundred other people and give the keys to a driver who takes the lift and park your car. It sounds exciting. I mean, taking the lift with a car. But, in this case, you just wait that cars in front of the change driver, enter the lift and disappear. With a hundred people who have the same destination, you can imagine how much time that takes. We made a joke about it and said, the Germans would have done that more efficiently.
Talking about beer. Sunday evening I gathered some people who joined me for a salsa evening. The salsa evening itself fell through. We entered the location and they did not even play Latin music. But the main story happened in the car before. We packed the car with five people and were on our way. We found a beer bottle on the back-seat and decided to have it before we arrived. Me, in my experience history of beer drinking, took the responsibility to open the bottle with another bottle. I completely underestimated the pressure of the bottle and I ended up, having the crown cap in my eye. Literally in my eye! Honestly, I could have foreseen that. I had no idea how long the bottle was residing in this car, but it had good enough 25 degrees. In my excitement, I did not think of my actions. Happily, nothing happened. I have half visioned the rest of the evening and was complaining about 'eye pain' the first time in my life. Also happy me, except a little swelling no colors showed, fortunately. I would have had no idea how to explain a blue eye to my colleagues.
I would have definitely not gone with the true story.
Bis bald,
Johanna
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