Sayings of India

It was exactly one week ago today, that I jumped from overnight train to cab to plane and landed in Dubai(more to come on that as well). I have missed India much more then I thought I would. From the close relationships with the groups, to the honking of horns lulling me to sleep every night as my feet freeze next to the AC and the rest of my body dies of heat.
I miss my Indian Mothers (more to come next post) my everything Mangos, and all the jewelry and saris both in shops and worn around the country.
I even miss all the security checks and weekly coke runs. But what I miss most is things people say to me, whether thats a passing auto, a friend in the slums, or a sign on the street.
They are all unique to India.
So without further ado here are some of my favorite sayings I heard around India..


"Keep that info undercovers"adding "S" to the end of words is popular, like mealS, undercoverS..

"Same same" said when they don't want to discuss something further

"Why this price??" When we told an auto driver what we would pay
"I make my own shade" -Urmi's response when we invited her to the shade of a tree. She was referring to the umbrella she carries around

"Sister!!" By all the lovely children of India

"Are you married or unmarried?" If you say unmarried but are wearing a toe ring they will ask why, as the toe ring is equivalent to a ring on the left hand ring finger 

"Why are you not married?"

"From which country you are??" Said exactly like that..

"From which state," I say Utah by California, 'oh california!'

"One photo please?" meaning, we will take 5 or 10 but with just one of us.. maybe

"What you do here?" Reply: we work with non-profits

-you work, how much you make?"

- what NGO you work for?

- what do you do?

"Where is your jewelry?" Since all women where jewelry all the time, I was often asked where my bling was.

"Why these shoes?" If wearing anything but slip on, flip-flop style sandals.

Che- actually chai but they say it so fast.
"End your affair with speed" Random signs on the roads (these are treasures!)

I am counting on the team to help me remember more of these fabulous sayings : ) 

Sometimes things go the other way

So being an avid traveller you are:

A. Flexible in schedule, food and accommodations 

B. 'Prepared' for the unexpected.

Mostly I am going with part B. in this post. Coming to India there are certain expectations both good and bad. You prepare as well as you can by loading up on pepto bismal, Tums, American chocolate, emergency cash, extra passport photos, and copies of both passport and visa. You take stock from your previous experiences and plan for the (it will not actually happen)worst based on those. However every with the all the planning every now and then something unexpected comes up.

In a third world country you are left to your own defenses, if your lucky, one of your fellow travelers may have a solution. From folklore, to old wives remedy, or a legit medicine. Don't knock it till you tried it. With 6 in house 'doctors'* something is bound to work, things take time, don't despair. Everything will look up eventually,

if all else fails... (Be warned though)

Take a deep breath, make sure everything in your life is set in order** and make it to a doctor,
or maybe 3, you know just for a common consensus.***

*note, in house doctors are not actually doctors, but rather my very knowledgeable and opinionated (in he best possie way) roommates.

**Satire humor. Things aren't so bad that setting your life in order is required. But it sure wouldn't hurt.

***good 3rd world practice especially for tourists**

Dreaming with a broken heart

Michale buble put it in words.

The past few weeks I have come realize how strongly I believe in the good in people and believe in their potential.

(A good friends persistence is inspirational, when everyone told her she couldn't finish school, she went and got a masters degree)

(Dance class at bridge camp. A school girls go for a second chance at education and life after falling behind in school, due to such things as child labor)

But with recent events in India and in Jerusalem, I have found that while I pray for the best, I am doing so with a broken heart. How can humanity be so cruel and closed minded towards one another. It literally brings me to tears. All of these people have family's, a future, hopes, aspirations and talents that could enrich our world if they were allowed to shine and develop.

(Summer camp in the slums at the beginning of the summer)

Yet so many lives are affected by just one act of hate and violence, be it large scale or small (as in snubbing someone, gossiping, or racism and bigotry)

(Working with boys from sporti who are disadvantaged, also giving them a second chance. We are all different but we all need love)

I realize I am just one person, and in the worlds view a nobody. I have found myself questioning what the heck am I doing in India. There is so much that needs help, and understanding and can our little team of 7 really make a difference in a short 4 months???

I had an incredible opportunity this last week to go to the US embassy in Delhi and rub shoulders with the expats. In one conversation my companion was surprised that we came out to India on our own, as well as paid to be here and work for free. He genuinely asked if I thought we could make a difference, as he was skeptical of the viewpoint I have taken believing in people. 

(Taught the whole bus a hand trick, I am now their favorite person, in return they taught me to face curiosity with courage)

Long ago I made the decision to leave people better then when I found them. Perhaps the way we will find peace on earth is BY having goodwill towards all those we meet.

(Celebrating differences at a cinco de mayo party)

Be it someone we see everyday, or someone we meet upon a journey, does it really matter who??

Sometimes all it requires is a smile to someone who catches eyes with you. 

(Princess of sporti, she has stolen all our hearts with her smile)

Or a hello to those standing alone. So simple, yet it takes such courage to get out of our comfort zone, it's time for us to be brave and live up to our calling as human beings. So yes I do have optimistic views, hopes and dreams. But if I don't reach for those high goals, I'll never get very far down the road I travel. So my answer to my expat friend at the embassy was a firm YES!

(Ann, one of our amazing country directors in India)

People make a difference in lives all the time. Maybe not on a huge scale or in one single moment. Maybe the world doesn't recognize us. But everytime we encounter someone we leave them and  a different person, and walk away different as well. 

(Trip to Mexico with people who were once strangers, but now are good friends all via a smile)

How will we proceed from here, from this moment and from this day? 

Heart to all

Ashley