People I know who have traveled to India say something happen to them, usually an absolute love for the country, mixed in with some emotions about the difficulty of life and the adversities they may experience themselves, but surely witness during their journey in India.
When I was in India there were things that made me sad, irritable, confused. The traffic, crowds, poverty and heat were challenging and the combination of all making me a bit cranky. The travel to and from places we visited was, in a nutshell, a near death experience; passing cars at top speed on curvy one lane highways, speeding through villages where mobs of people, livestock, cattle moved out of the way mini seconds before crashing into them, elephants on the back of trucks being transported and whizzing by you as if they were in a sportscar.
By the time we arrived at a beach destination for some r&r, I was ready for a nice relaxing sunset meal. I was reading the menu disappointed in the selection of wine when a man crawled from under the table. At first I was startled, then when I looked at him I became sad. He had no legs, was deformed and looked like he lived on the beach. I immediately thought about the things during the day I had complained about; the traffic, the heat, etc…. and a strong wave of emotion came over me while looking into this kind man’s eye. This is what people are talking about when they come back from India!
For me it was the way that people smiled, their apparent happiness at life’s most simple endeavors, in the face of hardship. And, it was the man who crawled from the sand near the restaurant I was sitting in, who had no legs and suffered from what seemed a wide array of deformities only to smile, smile, smile…and it was an authentic smile with the darkness of his black eyes lighting up as I shook his hand. Maybe this was because I gave him a few coins? Sure, this probably helped him a bit, but his friendliness and lightness was so touching.
Another thing that struck me at this place, a little beach town in Kerala, was that the shopkeepers were consistent in bringing him food and water as the night progressed. This was poverty, disease and handicap at its extreme, yet, this man appeared happier that any homeless person I have ever seen on the streets of San Francisco, or in the West for that matter. Also, I sensed that he was not lonely in his struggle, that the people in this little beach village appeared to treat this man as a part of their community and one who needs help.
This man on the beach, the light in his eyes, and the smile he shared warmed my heart….this memory is what I will never forget about India.
2 comments:
A beautiful reflection! On my visits to India, I always noticed too that everyone smiled so much - even when living in extreme poverty. It proves literally that money cannot buy happiness, but only a life of lovingkindness, compassion, and mindfulness can.
India is a land which has so much to offer. It is a huge melting pot and life is hard. Indians are one of the most literate races on earth. People come down from all over the world to let a little of India rub down onto them. Wonder why the Indians migrate? Guess its the corruption that drives them away.
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