Mosquitors Just Can't Get Enough

The mosquito bites on my whole entire trip have been horrible. They have been so bad that I contemplate getting laser surgery done.  My legs are one of my best assets and now I keep them covered when I can.  I like keeping my legs covered, but there my legs are seen in a bathing suit or when running.   The sun has tanned my skin creating white marks and bruises. The scarring does not look lady like rather it looks masculine.  I just want to go back in time and have my previous legs back. 

Yes my friends this is my superficial post so take it and run with it.  I am thankful I do not have mosquitos attacking my face or arms, but I do not want them anywhere on my body.  A recommendation for a traveler would be to not buy mosquito repellant with 35 percent deet because it is completely ineffective.  I should have been using what I used in US, which was 100 percent deet. It stinks and it is very strong to inhale, but it is effective.  This mistake costs me the exterior of both my legs.  The damage is already done so I have to deal with it.  I could not have legs at all and I understand that, but I am being real and expressing my feelings appropriately. 

When traveling protect yourself from these vicious things and follow all appropriate measues.

1.) Mosquito net (I have one and have only used it a couple times due to laziness)

2.) 100 percent deet mosquito repellant and cream

3.) Mosquito repellant plug in adaptor

4.) Sleep with Legs and Arms fully covered

5.) Mosquito apparel available at sporting/outdoor stores

Dirt, Filfth, and Bathrooms Oh my!

I was thinking the other day that maybe I should have visited India in my early twenties.  Yes, we have been over this that I should have visited India a long time ago, but my reasoning on visiting is different.

I should have visited India before strictly for the lifestyle change.  At 27, I have become accustomed to living in a certain way.  As human beings, we get older and more set in our ways.  Hence, why your Grandpa wants to stick with his routine and not change it even for a minute right? 

At 22, I would have been more open minded  to adventure and exploring and would have been so eager to come to India that I would have just coped with the dirt and filfth. 

At 27, I am not excited by the dirt and filfth and I do not want to adventure off into it.  This does not mean that I do not explore.  I like to see the way real people live and it fascinates me, but the dirt bothers my mind.  I just went into an adorable hut today and drank out of the cup they provided (a big deal for me, but facing my germaphobic fears).  

Working in the social service field over the years, I have seen a lot of dirty living conditions.  Going into a home to do an assessment or have a therapy session is different than actually staying overnight in the home, sleeping there, and using the bathroom facilities.   Going into underprivileged areas and working inside, around, on it, and near the dirt- I can not necessarily escape it.  But I am definitely more set in my ways than when I was 22 and the dirt and filfth is something that I have extreme difficulty handling.

It is important to make sure people understand the difference between materialism and unclean conditions.  There is a difference between letting go of materialistic things and wanting to be in a clean, safe area. I am working on living in a more simplistic manner without materialism driving happiness. Being able to detach from the materialism is one of the most important things to learn.  A person may choose to not have a Mercedes, but still want to keep it clean.   Hopefully this makes a bit more sense. 

In Southern India, my bathroom experiences have been unclean and unsanitary. I have made the decision to just go outside instead of use public restrooms when I have the opportunity.  Now I use the word “opportunity” because sometimes you have to use the public bathroom. 

At a temple, I decided to go use the bathroom as I had to go and I was not going to hold it for another hour-A.) that is bad for you B.) I drink a lot of water and that is not really an option.  I went into the hole in the ground toilet and immediately I went out.  I hate hole in the ground toilets.  If you notice, I do not use the words “hate” because it is such a strong word and sounds closed minded, but I will repeat, “I hate hole in the ground toilets.” They are one of the grossest things for me to handle and they literally give me nightmares-yes nightmares. 

When I go to sleep at night, I think back to that bathroom and start to feel chills.  The vision of the bathroom replays over and over and over in my head.  Being a therapist, I try to think of my paradise and engage in positive thoughts, but the bathroom just keeps replaying . I will pull at my hair and start to itch, it really is an adverse reaction.

On the train, I was seated next to the bathroom.  Everyone who went in and out would close the door after, but still I felt the bathroom staring at me.  I could smell the fowl bathroom odor that comes from urine and feces sitting for days.  It just makes me gag and start to itch.  I deep breathe, but I then start to tantrum.  I get up and ask a local guy to switch with me and he kindly agrees. Now I am in the middle, but I keep thinking of that bathroom before I go to sleep. 

Off and on the train/bus, men are always peeing in the streets and that does not bother me. I have seen a woman just pull down her pants and squat directly in front of me and it did not even phase me nor did I care as long as I was walking away from her.  The bathroom terror is what haunts me throughout this trip. If I actively work on it with some dialectical behavioral skills hopefully it will get better. Time will tell...

That's Not my Name

Meeting so many people on a daily basis, I am learning way to many names to remember them all.  The thing with names is that you are able to remember what is learned.  For instance, in US my friends names were Sarah, Jennifer, Alicia, John, Mike, etc. It is easy to remember names of your own language because you are used to the pronunciation.  Having to remember a name like, Voganomdula, is difficult because my memory is not accustomed to hearing names like that.  Rather that just blaming it on pronunciation, I can say that it is my poor memory that is also at fault. 

Many people who speak of name recollection say they are either good or bad at it.  I like to think that I am somewhere in the middle, but this trip I am way below average.  Writing it down helps tremendously so that is what I am trying to do, but that is not always possible. 

In Bangalore, I was introduced to many of my cousin’s friends that I saw a few different times and there are very few names I can remember.  It is so embarrassing and also disappointing for myself to look stupid and ask about people through description.  I am twenty seven years old, not five, this inexcusable in my mind. 

As for my name, I have tried to make it easy for people by telling them they can call me, “Pris.” Sometimes people like to keep trying with Priscilla and it turns into Brazilla, Pursalla, and Pasalla.  It is quite cute and entertaining for me and I take no offence, especially with my D- name recollection. 

Sorry new friends for my poor name recollection and pronunciation of cities I have visited. People say my pronunciation is very good, but I think they are just being nice. I need to get the Seven Seas supplements going and some extra fish oil!

An American Celebrity in South India?

In the title I put SOUTH INDIA because I realized when I am making statements I am just referring to India rather than specific areas.  I apologize for this and will be more mindful of my statements because I definitely do not want to generalize-not at all. 
 

Walking around the streets of India, I would think that a “foreigner” with white skin would get much more attention that me. Again, I expected to just wear traditional Indian clothing and blend in, but this does not happen.  Instead, I walk down the streets waiving, smiling, and am asked for photos constantly. 

It is something I did not expect at all and nor do I feel deserving of all this attention.  At touristic sites, it is expected for foreigners to get attention, but it can be quite overwhelming. At temples, parks, markets, and museums people are always approaching asking for photos and when I say "America" the visual expression on their face always surprises me.

Going out in upscale clubs, parties and venues in New  York, LA, Chicago-you like the lights, camera, glitz, and glamour, but in India-not so much.  When in a museum, I like my silence and do not want to be bothered.  When I am meditating, I do not want to be interrupted.  When I am walking for lunch, I do not want to be followed.  People are usually respectful and ask to take a photo, but there are those that are taking photos of me at the beach, when eating lunch, and that is just strange. 
In any guide book or talking with any traveler, they will tell you get used to a lot of staring.  I guess it is really a step above staring.  It is not negatively impacting my trip, but it something to write about and share with others.  I think I am struggling with the fact that I am just a imperfect human being like everyone else. Being from America, I do not feel I deserve such respect. 

               WE ARE ALL JUST ONE AT THE END OF THE DAY- PRIS-

Hey I'm Indian Too

Before I came to India, I thought it would be a melting pot for me where I just fit right in.  I thought that everyone would recognize that I am Indian too and treat me like I was a local.  The response I get is the complete opposite from what I expected.  I walk down the street with a stamp on my forehead that says, “Hi, I am a foreigner, feel free to ask me where I come from and what my name is?”

Indians can easily tell that I am a foreigner whether I am wearing a hat, sunglasses, traditional attire or non-traditional, they almost always look at me as a foreigner.  Through the bus windows and even cracks of small space in an alley way, they know that I am different, an outsider, a foreigner, an American.  

Getting bored of responding in the same old way saying that I am “American.” I sometimes throw a curve ball and respond with "Dubai."  When I respond that I am from the US or Dubai, it is fascinating to see people's eyes light up like it is Diwali festival or Christmas day.   They will shake my hand, bow, give me directions or give me a ride, get out of their seat, and serve me like a princess. It is such undeserved royal treatment and actually it confirms the superiority of America, which I do not like. 

Rarely does a person say, “Hey you look Indian.” Usually I just get the “foreigner” stamp.  This is surprising because my skin is darker complexion and my darks roots of my hair are growing out.  It seems I have to fight for my Indian blood and sometimes even pull out my ID card to show my last name to prove my Indian background.  At the touristy places, they have separate charges for locals and foreigners.  A recent safari I was going on had a tremendous price difference between locals and foreigners.  Being with two local Indian guys, I decided to fight for my rights and propose my “I am an Indian negotiation.” Explaining where my family lives, my career goals of possibly working in India, and pulling out the last name “Raj.” He granted me the Indian price, which I was very thankful for and proud of my negotiating skills.  Anyone who visits their home turf, where their blood is should not be considered a foreigner-that is my own personal opinion and is up for debate.  But I have to keep on fighting for my Indian roots.  I am Indian and proud of it!

Coping with Inefficiency In India

Inefficiency is one thing that I have identified as a pet peeve in my life.  I identify how and why it makes me feeling annoyed and I meditate to calm myself,  but at the end of day-inefficiency annoys me. 


When traveling one has to make sacrifices for efficiency, but one definitely has to make some serious sacrifices in India.  Going from high efficiency to low efficiency is not a simple task. New York is definitely not perfect, but they move faster and more efficient there than most places.  Again, our behavior does not change overnight so the inefficiency and rate of production takes some serious adjusting to, which some say takes months or even a few trips to India. 



It is normal to experience culture shock when making such a tremendous switch between two cultures, but people should be mindful of this switch rather than judging. When traveling, give people a chance to become adjusted.  Do not just expect people to adapt immediately and follow the culture perfectly.  We are human beings that are constantly learning and evolving with new experiences.  We can grow from these experiences, but we need to learn from them and make real comparisons.   As a traveler, we are responsible to ask questions, be open minded, and be aware of these differences.  But it takes time because,


                                    Our behavior does not change overnight.  

The Cute Family That owns the Grocery Store

In Mysor, there is a supermarket that I went into a few times and everytime I went in I would be talking to a new family member.  The whole family consists of the mother and father and their 6 kids who all work together in the grocery store.  At around 9:30pm, they start locking up the store and 10pm they have their belongings gathered up and they all pack into their truck and waive "goodbye." This seems simple and common for family's to have businesses together, but it is a representation of the beauty of "unity."
In India, unity is present from family to famiy I interact with from state to state.  The villages are most especially filled with unity whether it is running a family business, having meals together,, engaging in labor or domestic tasks, or a religious/special event.  Their affection towards one another is genuine and caring.  Sons and daughters have curphews and come home to eat their meals together.  When they spend time with their family, they do it with love.  It is not something forced, annoying, or just checked off a list of things to do. 

From the beginning of my trip in Thailand to now, the unity grows and it demonstrates how positively this can impact the behavior of children.  With unity and a strong feeling of support, these children develop with positive attachement, good role models, and life skills that can not be taught through a book.  They have manners, self disipline, and develop work ethic at a young age.  It encourages them to work and stay out of trouble away rather than being negatively influenced by their environment. 
In the US, the materialism is highly shifting children away from their family and towards technology and materialistic things.   Unity, family, and community are solid influences that are slowly chipping away like dry paint.  It is unfortunate that these children are growing up missing out on components that provide consistency and stabiiity, which is essential to child's development.  Where did the unity go in America? And will they ever get it back?

Of course, there are negative factors impacting the unity in Asia and many orphans and street children left without proper family role models.  The unity concept applies to family, friends, organizations/NGOs, and schools.  It is present within the culture, which positively impact it's environmental factors.  Every culture or society has it's strengths and weaknesses, Asia's strenght is unity and this can significantly make a difference in a child's life.