On the 5th, my new friends from Malaysia/Australia game me a surprise birthday party with cake and wine and a beautiful scarf. Can you believe that? I told them that I was on this trip to celebrate my birthday and that I came now to India because April would be too hot. They suggested that I celebrate it on March 5th which I thought was a great idea but I totally forgot about it.
Then on the 5th, they asked me to come to their little common living room after lunch and there it was, a party for me with candles and everything for me. It made me cry. How good God is to me- to provide me with such giving, thoughtful, loving and generous people. These people could do a workshop on inclusion. They are always looking out for me, helping me shop; looking for me during meals, saving me a seat on the bus or at meals, taking pictures of me and with me, sharing their perspectives about Indian history. They are from different religions, backgrounds and ethnicities, although they all trained together as doctors. They travel as couples a lot; they are just my kind of people.
There about 65 people on board- most not from the U.S.; a good number of Indians, Malaysians, Australians, Brits, and other Europeans. I haven’t seen an African-American since I left Boston. Although one of my new friends is Punjabi, born in Delhi and I swear he looks like folks in my family. I think there is only one other person on the train traveling by herself, lots of couples, a mother and son and a few triads. I have met a number of Indians who have either moved to the states or their kids and grandkids are in the states, so I have invited them all to Boston. Hopefully some of my old friends will get to meet my new friends.
Just as I was typing this, the train stopped for a minute and a group of 20 or so kids came to my window and we waived and screamed and blew kisses to each other for a while. Their innocent and joyful spirits fill me with a sense of well-being. So many gifts. My hope it to be useful and reciprocate the wonderful blessings that I seem to be given every day.
I honestly got goosebumps reading this entry. Isn't it amazing that sometimes we get so jaded that we forget that most of the people in the world are decent and kind and generous.
ReplyDeleteSadly, we don't hear enough stories like this one.
When I was traveling with 2 friends in Egypt in 2001 I was given a surprise birthday party (beer and cake included) by the Muslim operators of the dive boat company we were with. They invited us to their "office" to pick something up for the next day and it turns out if was their home -- which they decorated with streamers to boot. At the time it seemed to make so much sense -- to have strangers be kind.
But this was before 9/11 and I think I have been subconsciously more wary. Your story reminds me that "bad" people only make up a tiny percentage of the people sharing this planet.
Happy Birthday Month Dear Friend. I look forward to celebrating with you upon your return.
Love
Susanne
Sus, you are so right. Thanks for sharing your story. I feel that one valuable lesson from this trip will be a reminder that i am connected to a global community of really fine, adventurous,smart, cool, funny folks. Most of the people that i have met here speak at least 2 and usually 3 languages. They have been places i have never heard of. In fact they live in place that i think i have heard of but can't spell and couldn't begin to find on the map. But that is all coming to an end, since i have invites to go all over the world. the funny thing is that no matter where i go people think that i should be either a politician or the next Oprah. I think that what i am learning about me in the larger world is that i am definitely a citizen of it, one that enjoys, feels enriched by and responds energetically to being connected to all sorts of folks. love ya too
ReplyDeleteIn your meeting of people from places you’ve never heard of, it made me wonder. For the sake of Leslie’s Susanne’s, yours and my own participation in our particular take on a survey of the globe, did you meet anyone farther reaching than the republic of Moldova, and did you participate in anything that would knock me off of my self-described first place position? Kisses.
ReplyDeleteI just love reading these. Thank you so much for taking the time to blog this trip to us all. We are included as well.
ReplyDeleteMy friend is in New Delhi. Will you be near there? You must meet!