Transition & Culture Shock

So after a handful of years living away from parents, life's choice took me back to India (where my roots are) to visit with parents, family, etc. This happened after many conversations, IMs, e-mails, talks, negotiations, consultations, 'verbal-fencing', etc with near and dear.

I was dreading this visit also wanting to visit at the same time. With all these extreme opposites dragging me, I'm finally here. The culture has changed a lot, from things we do in every day life, to rituals in ceremonies, government offices (Good ole 'formalities'!!!) and also the infamous media with its effect on public.

The two cultures I have spent most of my time have got pros and cons on all aspects. Yet for some reason it is very hard to accept the fact the place once you called it your home is not that place anymore. The childhood you experienced with kids playing outside in sand, with a broken glass under sunny day with a piece of paper, with grand parents in the farm, and visiting relatives are not the same as it was before. It has morphed so much in the name of modernization, which is westernization wearing a mask of 'comfortable living' where in reality it is the exact opposite of comfortable living.

So it is either road trips, vacations with cousins or hanging out with elders which is calming my nerves. Definitely home cooked meal does wonder for short time. But the definite wonder for culture shock daily is 'Mosquito Bat'. This seems to be a good stress reliever and a good workout on daily evenings or before sleep activity. Also a healthy alternative to diffuser which fills the entire room or house with synthetic odor to kill or chase the mosquitoes away. Not sure, if it is effective.

Note: Also found out reading out blogs (in alphabetic order) such as Diary of White Indian House Wife, Indian Express (English and local version),National Geographic, The Real News and a social networking site gives me feeling of belonging instead of 'a lost island.' If the infrastructure permits I enjoy listening to some good old funk, Jazz, Blues, pop or Indian (OST) from Raaga or Youtube.