There is a saying that if you come to India with patience, you lose it and if you come without it, you gain it. I am beginning to agree wholeheartedly but yet once gained or lost it just continues to come back. There is no choice but to be patient :)
I arrived in India almost two weeks back now. My first week was spent in Delhi, mostly doing orientation with many amazing speakers, exercises to get to know our other colleagues, and attempting to introduce us to working in India. As of Tuesday evening, I landed in Hyderabad. The first evening was lovely with a friend of a friend picking my colleague and I up from the airport and treating us to a lovely dinner followed by hookah. We started the apartment hunt Wed. and were amazed at how fast we found a lovely two bedroom/bath! We met the owner, (so we thought), and put down the deposit. Thrilled as we were, we set off to start working with our organizations as soon as possible. Here is where more patience comes in.... today upon my first day at the office I receive a call from the man who rented to us that he has to inform me that his parents do not approve of renting to foreigners. Alas, meeting tonight to get our deposit back and start searching again tomorrow! This is only one of the points of patience so far since landing. Myriads of Foreign Registration complications, bank accounts hacked back in the States, and of course, how could I forget the auto driver throwing rupees at me ;) I'm such a New Yorker...!
Oh Mother India! You arouse our senses from the moment we land with sights and smells, some glorious and some overwhelming. I have already started wearing the traditional kurta, (so beautiful and comfortable!), and am eager to begin learning Hindi. I am so privileged and honored to be a part of your country for the coming year, to learn and develop as well as contribute. Serve, Learn, Lead.
I arrived in India almost two weeks back now. My first week was spent in Delhi, mostly doing orientation with many amazing speakers, exercises to get to know our other colleagues, and attempting to introduce us to working in India. As of Tuesday evening, I landed in Hyderabad. The first evening was lovely with a friend of a friend picking my colleague and I up from the airport and treating us to a lovely dinner followed by hookah. We started the apartment hunt Wed. and were amazed at how fast we found a lovely two bedroom/bath! We met the owner, (so we thought), and put down the deposit. Thrilled as we were, we set off to start working with our organizations as soon as possible. Here is where more patience comes in.... today upon my first day at the office I receive a call from the man who rented to us that he has to inform me that his parents do not approve of renting to foreigners. Alas, meeting tonight to get our deposit back and start searching again tomorrow! This is only one of the points of patience so far since landing. Myriads of Foreign Registration complications, bank accounts hacked back in the States, and of course, how could I forget the auto driver throwing rupees at me ;) I'm such a New Yorker...!
Oh Mother India! You arouse our senses from the moment we land with sights and smells, some glorious and some overwhelming. I have already started wearing the traditional kurta, (so beautiful and comfortable!), and am eager to begin learning Hindi. I am so privileged and honored to be a part of your country for the coming year, to learn and develop as well as contribute. Serve, Learn, Lead.
3 comments:
Mother India indeed. Infuriating and loving at the same time, wouldnt you agree?
Congrats on the beginning of a great adventure Gabrielle!! Hugs, Matt
so proud of you!
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