You know those artsy stores that sell recycled products? Like a comfortable chair from an old tyre or a gorgeous lamp stand from a discarded pot? Well, this month, I'm taking a page from their book and recycling an old blog post. For a very good reason.
I’d written the post below when I lived in the US and had visited India one summer. It was a perfectly lazy summer, with shopping and eating being our only scheduled activities.
Fast forward a few years and I now live in India. It’s no longer a vacation destination. And that’s why I needed to reboot this old blog. I needed to remind myself just how vast and vibrant and brilliant and sometimes downright entertaining life here can be.
The post reminds me that when we look for beauty, we find it. In the unexpected. In the mundane. I pray for continued God glimpses - daily moments of catching the glorious.
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6 Reasons Why India Rocks
Everyone knows India is mystical and spiritual and beautiful. At least everyone who hasn’t stepped foot in the country. Once you’ve visited, you know that India is controlled chaos spinning in kaleidoscopic frenzy. Everything has been distilled so you’re left with the best, the worst, the most vibrant, the craziest. There’s just nothing vanilla about it. And I love it. Here’s a photo essay of why:
1. The entrepreneurs
She sells flowers or mangoes on the sidewalk. He owns a tyre repair shop or a pharmacy that’s barely bigger than a closet. They set their own hours, they are their own bosses. They take long afternoon siestas. They’re nice to their customers – when they want to be. Meanwhile, you know that shopping is never going to be the same old.
2. The food
What’s not to love about the blend of salty, spicy, sweet, and sour. Where else can you get a thali of biriyani, naan, appalam, chicken fry, dals, mint chutney, dahi and payasam, all for $1.25? And this was at a food court at a mall.
And then there's the community that gathers around the table. It's always about community. Food just tastes better that way.
3. The street signs
You’re stuck in traffic anyway. Might as well have fun reading the incredulous, misspelled, downright strange posters around town. Like the KFC ad below. Yup, 100% vegetarian at KFC. I doubt Colonel Sanders saw this coming.
4. The innovation
He packs his entire business onto a motorcycle and, voila, you've got yourself a travelling tailor at your doorstep. India is a land of innovation.
5. The colours
It’s like colours decided to come alive. Like pastels woke up from a long, dreary winter.
India, where even the cows have a colourful closet.
6. The unexpected
You never know what you're going to see. Or who'll pull up next to you at a traffic light.
And then there are glimpses of unexpected beauty. Untamed, almost bewildering, splendour -- God portraits -- that makes all the chaos so worth it.
Those are just six reasons. There's only about a billion more to fall in love with this place I call home. What are yours?
Hahaha. This is so cute. At first glance it seems like a satire but it is far from it because they are really quite endearing if you think about it. The romance of India 🙂
Thank you! Yup, the romance of India. Crazy but exquisite.
Very well written, Susan. I enjoyed the colorful, concise portrayals. We miss seeing you and your hubby here.
Thanks Robert! We miss Portland and all of you! ????
I too love the colors!! I want to visit you in India someday!
Excellent idea! You should definitely come visit!
Maybe it's going to be Kentucky Fried Chapati?
Haha! Sell KFC that idea. It could be worth millions! ????