I think i may be the only foreigner in the town of Mohali. As I walk the streets, I turn heads. Not for my show stopping wardrobe or my amazing good looks (which certainly don't hurt), but simply because I am an alien among them. A curiosity. The white girl of Mohali. Watch to see what she will do next. Mostly stares, but sometimes kind greetings and even invitations from internet cafe employees('My mother is a good cook. You come for dinner?'). A stranger in their midst.
Mohali is a suburb of calm Chandigarh and it is here that I have spent the last 5 days of so. Due to a bout of flu-like symptoms, rather than stay with my friend Jas' family, I was put up in a college girls residence run by the Mann family. Strange at first to enter into the world of these young women (all aged 19-24), I have since come to enjoy being here. A stranger/observer/participant in their daily lives. The girls, as well as the young family that cooks and maintains the property, have been lovely to me and the girls are so welcoming as they invite me along on all sorts of adventures. With each day I am getting to know them better and am awarded an intimate glimpse into their lives. I am coming to better understand both their culture and the role of women in Indian society. While they are currently being educated, once their educations are complete, most of them will be married in the next few years to a man of their family's choosing. For them certain stages of life and various freedoms, from making a family to going to a discotheque, will not be open to them until they are married. Family is of utmost importance as they, as is the Indian norm, typically live with their extended families: aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, siblings, in one family home. This allows a certain degree of intimacy as is evident in the relationship/closeness between friends. The other day I found six of them cuddled together and gossiping in one bed. This kindness and closeness has been extended to me as I have been majorly spoiled these last few days...
More on this later. I'm off to Amrit's aunty's house for the afternoon and must run... Love to everyone at home!!
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I think it's clear that you belong out in the world - thank God, Amy is back! I love your stories.
ReplyDeleteLiam
Hi Toots,
ReplyDeleteWe've tried sending comments before, but to no avail. They don't seem to be getting through. It must be that you have to register to comment, but I know from others who have tried to comment on your blog, that they were having problems as well. This probably accounts for the the fact that you have gotten so few comments to date. Maybe we're all doing something wrong???!!!
So, we're wondering how life back at school is going? Are the flu symptoms behind you? Any new travel plans e.g. south. As you may have learned from our blog, we have encountered some serious rain. Hopefully, this like your coldish weather, will pass soon. Meanwhile we are loving the account of your travels, almost reads like a movie script. We could see you and your new schoolgirl friends all cuddled together in bed and laughing. No doubt you are providing your share of the entertainment. Anyways, we wish you good health and safety. We are continuously thinking and talking about you. We are so proud of your adventurous spirit.
We love you,
Mom and Dad
Nice written abt india & indians...thanx
ReplyDeletefrom ur frnd LUCKY
Hi Amy!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say that I absolutely love reading your blog! I am so happy you are finally on the road and are sharing this adventure with us. I hope you are feeling better by now!
Take care of yourself and have fun!!!
Chantal xx
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