Things I miss and things I don't
Loading Map
Pondicherry,
India
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Having some yoga and soul searching in Pondicherry. This is what I came up with so far:
THINGS I MISS:
Modern art museums. There is one in Mumbai and I'll check it out. It was lovely, but not very happening. I miss the "new show" buzz. London and New York are world capitals for a reason after all.
CNN/BBC. I don't want to read the news on-line. I want the easy, summarized, ready to eat, 15 minutes feed in the morning. In English!
Fast food. Eating is a big sit down affair, unless I resort to cookies and chips, which does not look good on my behind. You can't just grab a freshly cut sandwich or a salad - there are none. You have to go to a restaurant that looks clean enough.
Starbuck's Lattes. Milk tea, green tea, even yak butter tea - none of that compares.
Walking home alone after midnight. There hasn't been major problem yet (knock on wood), but I've been rather careful to never stay out too late by myself in a town I don't know, especially outside the main tourist street. I have to admit- I went to a late movie at the shopping center in Bangkok, which was miles away from my hotel, but cabs were everywhere and the area seemed very busy. It still was after midnight.
Talking to someone I know for more than a week. Meeting lots of new people is great. It does get a bit tiring and repetitive some times though. I have not "met" anyone for a week - I just can't be bothered. Now that ashram where you are not allowed to talk for a week sounds very appealing.
Someone to watch over my bag when I go to the WC. Although traveling alone has huge pros, the one con is that it is always a bigger hassle. I need to find a travel partner, but it is tricky - a guy or a gall is the question. The galls are in short supply. I don't dig the idea about a guy either. As soon as you are standing next to a guy, people start calling him your husband and the whole dynamic of communication changes. .
THINGS I DO NOT MISS:
Alcohol. For the party animal I was, it is shocking! I I spent about a month at high altitude, where alcohol makes you sick. I didn't even miss it. Admittedly, I did have couple of cocktails at 6 a.m. when I arrived in Bangkok, but it just seemed appropriate. So many bars were still open and buzzing, and I haven't had one since Delhi.
Hot showers. Showers in general. I don't think I stink more than anybody else.
Having my own bed. It is really not an issue. I'm always pretty tired any ways, so I don't have to worry about falling asleep.
Having more than 3 T-shirts to choose from. It makes life very easy - you go for the cleanest one and that's it - 30 seconds and you are all dressed up and on your way. I can't believe it took me 1 hour to get ready before.
Early mornings. I don't miss the early mornings at all - I'm having plenty of those nowadays - 4:30, 5:00 am, you name it. I think I've seen more sun rises since I quit work than before. It is different though. Somehow it doesn't feel so cumbersome.
My mobile. I still have it with me and it does have coverage, but no one calls me on it for obvious reasons. I just don't miss it constantly ringing.
***
WORLD CHANGE STARTS WITH EDUCATED CHILDREN! Give a girl the life long gift of education! Support my appeal 100 GIRLS BACK TO SCHOOL! Donate at: www.justgiving.com/100GirlsBackToSchool. Your money goes directly to ROOM TO READ (www.roomtoread.org)!
Hugs & Kisses, Vik
