Italia

Since I was all finished with India and I wanted a quick respite before returning to the states, a gentle easing back into Minnesotan culture (yes there is a culture in the midwest). So I choose Italy, which I have such a soft spot for and I wanted to practice my language skills for a week. The additional ticket cost was marginal, but I have to say there was a quite a shock going from Rupees to Euros...

Italia....
I am not sure that the comparison between Italy and India is a proper one, but I couldn't help myself from making it. Elizabeth Gilbert does it in her widely popular book "Eat, Love, Pray", but the other way around starting in Italy. I arrived expecting to feel like I stood out a bit less and that I could easily sit down at a cafe and wait the last couple hours before my train to Senigallia without much notice from anyone. Instead of fitting in, I stood out even more than I had in Mumbai during my last days in India. I am pretty sure the short pants, large yellow backpack, and numerous bags helped make a target for all the stares at Roma Termini.

I had forgotten how fashionable and glamorous Italians look in all the leather, black jackets and sunglasses; in addition I had forgotten what cold temperatures felt like. I made it to Senigallia after nearly 24 hours of straight travel. Italy was a bit of redemption for me. The months of harsh travel seemed to melt away amongst the mouth watering al dente pasta, wine, gorgeous architecture in every direction, and practicing my rusty (not rustica) Italian. Memories came flashing back from my last visit nearly two years ago, I hadn't realized how much my heart ached for this country, since it stands as a symbol of freedom for me. Italy was my real first global trip out of the United States, and it was equally symbolic for me on my return. By the end of the very short and fun week, I could understand a great deal more Italian and I put on a couple pounds showing my real love for Italian food.

My friend and his family were more than accommodating in every respect and made me feel as if I was a part of the family. I wanted to say that his mom was a wonderful cook (she most definitely is), but in fact the whole family had the same glorious attitude towards food. I have no idea how I have been so lucky or deserving of all the kindness and hospitality I have received in the last year. I just hope my luck does not run out anytime soon, or before I am able to bestow some of the kindness back or forward in return.

I achieved all that I wanted to in Italy. I had a lot of espresso (yum), pasta, pizza, appertivi, gelato, visited Ancona and Roma, and went to a local play production all done in various dialects (I understood maybe 50%). The visit to Italy concluded with a couple days wandering around Rome. I love Rome, and I could wander for weeks without ever getting bored. The city is so vibrant and antique at the same time, not many places in the world retain the old treasures as well as Rome does and moves forward at the same time. I am not sure I was quite ready to leave Italy, I could have spent a bit longer, but my bank account was telling me otherwise and off to Chicago I was.

I am here now in Chicago, visiting for a couple days and being a tourist in my own country. The flight was significantly cheaper, even when I factor in the cheap bus ticket home. I will be home soon.

Another note: Please check out my friend's pictures that he took while we traveled. Some are from other travels, but there are a great deal from Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. He is an awesome photographer, and the same guy who took all the sand dune pictures that people have commented on. Link---> http://www.flickr.com/biggiebiz

Mahive Mumbai, My Love Mumbai!

My friend's parents dropped me at the station, their hospitality never ended even until the last possible second. After anxiously awaiting for the 3 and a half hour train to reach Mumbai. I thought that Bittu might have trouble seeing me at the train station, since after nearly 6 weeks I felt like I fit in and didn't notice any of the stares; oh, and the fact that my extremely fair skin has since tanned (not really, but I can always pretend right?). It was a good thing that I spotted him right away, maybe it was the other way around, it's really that important :).

The next 3 days flashed by so quickly that I had hardly any idea that I was leaving India so soon. The family took me around, I saw my good friend Neel's family's flat, Bandra and the infamous laundry slums, Dobi Ghats. I saw a very high profile Hindu temple that was packed (even though it was an off day) with people to bring offerings. Apparently around exam times it takes hours to pass through the long lines. Many of the temples in India start with a simple shrine or stone that is regarded to have spirital properties, and then bigger and bigger structures are built around expanding the existing structure well beyond its original size.

I think Dobi Ghats was my favorite, because most people stand a very safe distance away and snap pictures on the overlooking bridge. Knowing me, this wasn't enough, and there is not anything wrong with trying to enter. Bittu went up and asked them, while switching into the local language and accent pretending to be a kid from the neighborhood. They said 100 rupees and let us in. All of the people in Dobi Ghats many years ago put their money together to buy the cement wash basins that they do a good portion of the city's laundry in. So many people were friendly and excited to have a picture snapped of them, and I am always sure to ask 'acha', which means good in Hindi when I show them the picture. Bittu got a lot of attention from people wanting to partner with him to set up a tour guide racket for foreigners; he caught all of the comments about how smart he was for bringing me and how much I must of paid him, one father told his son not to do laundry and follow my friend's example. I had no idea any of this was being mentioned until after, but smiled nevertheless as I interacted with people, snapped pictures, squeezed around tubs and machines. No piece of clothing is ever lost, and the whites are bleached by the sun atop the houses on clotheslines.

I am thankful to have such amazing people to show me around and get a better taste for the places I have visited. I felt as if I was a part of so many families, but most noteably in Pune and Mumbai. I never once felt alone nor timid to keep continuing onwards. I had mixed feelings as the trip in India ended, excitement for going to Italy and returning home, and a strong desire to experience more. My entourage dropped me at the airport with enough time to make it through the rigorous security in Mumbai's airport and jet off once again.

I am currently in Senigallia, Marche, Italia eating homemade tiramisu about to have a fresh espresso and make my way to Ancona for the day. I am very happy, cold, and recovering my Italian language skills very slowly. Ciao!