Home again, home again. But no jiggity jig.
Yes, of course, I’m happy to be back at home in Seattle. Happy to have a hot shower on-demand. Happy to be getting regular exercise (yoga classes and quiet walks). Happy to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables and not have to worry about whether they are clean or free from water-borne diseases.
And, even though India is not the easiest of travel destinations, I miss many things about the country and the journey itself. I would love to be waking up in a mosquito net-covered bed, enjoying a milk coffee while overlooking the lake in Udaipur or ripping apart a warm paratha (flat bread) in preparation of dipping it into a myriad of dishes offered up in a thali.
In my near twenty years of traveling, I can’t recall every having a “bad” trip (although my first trip to India 17 years ago was pretty rough). Therefore, it’s always been important for me to stretch out the journey far beyond the actual end of the trip.
When reality sinks in that instead of being in India, I’m surrounded by the walls of my own (wonderful) home, I have Trader Joe’s organic coffee in my freezer waiting to be brewed and I find crusty baguettes at the local grocery story, I wonder what to do to extend my trip.
Since arriving home to Seattle, I’ve visited two Indian grocery stores with a visit to another one planned for Monday. Last night, I enjoyed a fabulous meal at Cedar’s on Brooklyn (an Indian/Middle Eastern restaurant) in the U-District and I’ve cooked Indian meals twice in the last week.
My mornings start with chai or masala tea purchased in India and my breakfast consists of the same Scotch oatmeal that I’ve been eating for years, but it includes rice milk and is watered down to match the consistency that I so enjoyed at many restaurants and homes in India.
Many say that you either love or hate India. I’m still on the fence about it. I loved some of my experiences but I can’t say that I loved the country as I do some other countries (most notably Vietnam, where I’ve been seven times).
But, I can say that I miss it and will do everything I can in the coming months to continue incorporating what I loved about the Indian lifestyle. Namely, the way that Indians are able to integrate healthy and spiritual practices into their way of life. No fads. No movements. Just every day living that includes good healthy unprocessed food, yoga and “praying” to their God – whichever one that may be.
Until the next trip in which I’m sure to learn from the locals and integrate even more (hopefully healthy) practices that I learn, I’ll be searching for the best Indian food and chai in Seattle and appreciating what I gleaned from both the locals and other travelers that I met along the way on this trip.
Happy Travels!
Mildred Halpern says
Hi Beth~~
Glad to know that you’re home safe and sound!! Enjoyed hearing all about your experiences day-by-day. I’m sure it feels good to be “home”. Guess it won’t be long before you’re planning for your next trip.
Mildred
Administrator says
I’ll be leading a tour to China in September. Come join me!
http://www.wte-usa.com/bethwhitman.html