Amrikan in India

As I walked down the street in Jaipur on a study abroad orientation assignment to find Reliance Fresh, I realized this Indian experience would be significantly different from those that I have had over the past two summers. First of all, my Hindi-that-sounds-like-Gujarati is going to give away that I am not from Jaipur, meaning rikshaw drivers are going to try to rip me off right off the bat. Second of all, if that does not give me away, the fact that I am walking down the street with a gaggle of non-Indians will definitely draw stares, often accompanied by shouts of "hello!" "thank you please!" and even a witty rikshaw driver saying "I will give you a ride at no expense!"

As soon as I start speaking in English with an American accent with fellow student travellers, I am no longer just another Indian in India. It will be interesting to see how my new conspicuousness affects the relationships I form and the many interesting interactions I am sure to have in the next few weeks. More significantly, maybe I'll be able to do some self-reflection: What does it mean for me to be an Indian in America? What about an American in India, or more precisely, an Indian American in India?

I love India. I love America. I've been asked many times by people from both countries--which do you like better? Where do you want to live? And I honestly have no answer. I love both--in fact, I AM both, and there really is no splitting them up.

As for where I want to live when I grow up, I suppose I'll need an answer to that some day. But for now, I am completely enjoying my life in both worlds. I think I'll continue it for a bit longer.

**Note: for anyone wanting another perspective of this trip from a fellow student traveler, check out Claire's blog: claireinindia.tumblr.com

Joey's blog: joeygoestoindia.blogspot.com
Scott's blog: againstvanity.blogspot.com