As I watch the train to Udaipur pull into the platform at Hazrat Nizaamuddin Railway Station, I can’t help but think of two things. One: is diving head first through the window of an incoming train going to help that man get anywhere faster? And two: Once I exit the train, will the scorching heat of the desert state really char me to the bone? After a week in Rajasthan, the clear answer to both questions is ‘no’. Delving behind these questions though, sheds light on the importance this trip had towards my overall exchange. As for the man jumping, or rather diving into the train car, this can be reflected on the genuine curiosity I hold for discovering the culture of India. Though I did not risk falling onto the tracks beneath a moving train, there were multiple times during the Rajasthan trip where I found myself delving head first into a new experience. Whether it be crossing the streets of Bada Bazaar in the darkness of the desert evening, walking through a fort older than my home country of the United States, or discussing the mango plantations with the camel caravan driver, there was always something to learn from the experience. Though I was a tourist, one of the most valuable points of the trip for me was interacting with the local people. One of my fondest memories, one I previously mentioned, was the desert safari. I was first to get in the camel-pulled cart, and therefore was closest to the driver. After seeing me take pictures, the driver asked me if I would like to sit farther forward. To this request I answered ‘haanji’ without even thinking. Putting my feet on the shaded wood of the cart’s shaft and peaking my out from behind the cart’s canopy, the driver asked me, “aapko hindi aati hai?”. While I am not fluent, this sparked a conversation – first about the camel whose name I learned was Moti (meaning pearl) and then talking about the mango trees growing on either side of the lane we passed through. Once we reached the sunset viewing point, the bhaiya handed me the reins to the camel and jumped out to take a picture. Though this was a small part of the trip – merely 3 hours out of the many days spent out – I can truly say it was very impactful. It proved how communication, even if it is imperfect because of language, does not have to be hindered by the same. As for the ‘dreadful’ heat of Rajasthan, the desert state, I found that the climate was not nearly as miserable as I had been told it would be. Though the temperature was not blistering, the challenges I encountered along the trip were the points from which I learned the most. At our last stop, Jaipur, I used my language skills developed over the past 9 months to communicate with the shop keepers. The obvious reasoning behind this would be to strike a good deal, but it did much more for me. On the streets where vendors usually stick to foreigners like bees to a beehive, I was able to keep them away *mostly* by telling them “nahi chahiye”. Though a very minor situation, it was interesting to me because using English seems to attract the pestering storekeepers even more. Once I entered the store, I used my Hindi to talk with the vendors. I was with a friend in the markets, and even being able to translate to her what the shop keeper was asking her was a rewarding experience. It made the hours upon hours of Hindi class come to life. The most rewarding conversation I had occurred while purchasing a dupatta. The storekeeper knew limited English, so our dialogue played out in *beginner level* Hindi. When I explained to him that I was a student staying in Delhi, he told me that when foreigners speak in Hindi to him, he becomes very happy. These small interactions made my day while on the trip. Though I learned a lot from the new experiences and the challenges, I also took time to relax and soak up as much of my surroundings as possible as I entered my last month abroad. Knowing that in just one month I will no longer be living the exchange student life terrifies me…but it also gives me motivation to live every day to its fullest. My senses were constantly filled to their capacities. These are some of the best feelings I have felt:
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorNamaste! Mera naam Anna hai! Hi! my name is Anna. Please enjoy reading about my experience as a high school junior in India and ask any questions you may have! Archives
June 2019
Categories |