India: The Turning Point

I would like to say that I loved everything about India. Don’t get me wrong: India was wonderful, but I found myself culturally shocked and tested with every step I took. From the time we stepped off the ship to the time we pulled away, watching the port lights fade into the distance, we were constantly immersed in a drastically different way of life. Some of the differences were fascinating, while others shook me to the core.
India was the turning point in our voyage. It marked the middle of our expedition around the world, and everything shifted when we arrived. When I reflect on India, I’m exceedingly glad I visited, but it takes on a more serious tone in my mind. It affected me in a very different way than any other country. My perceptions are forever changed.
Two incidences stand out in my mind when I think of India. I had many experiences in India, but I feel that these two sum up my visit the best. The first occurred when I was returning with my friends from a tailor. We had just gotten outfits made and we were taking a tuk-tuk (a mo-ped taxi) back to the ship. As we approached the port, we were stopped at a rail road crossing for several minutes and a cargo train slowed to a stop on the tracks. I turned to chat with Abby, and when I turned around again two little boys were standing beside the tuk-tuk. We had been warned about beggar children in India. Many of them belong to beggar gangs, and giving money to them contributes to a dangerous cycle. Unfortunately, when confronted with hungry, desperate children, I was tempted to forget the warnings. I knew I wasn’t going to give the kids money, but I found myself quickly looking through my pockets for granola bars and chips. I only had one granola bar, and once I’d given it away, I was swarmed by kids looking for more food. I had just bought a set of bracelets, and I felt compelled to give one to a little girl who was standing by my side. The more I gave, the more the kids begged and crowded around me. My nerves became frazzled. All I wanted to do was get away because I didn’t have any more food or small presents to give away. When I finally got back to the ship, I was exhausted. My experience with the kids shook me up more than any occurrence on this trip thus far.
My watch battery had died the week before we arrived in India. I had borrowed a watch from my friend Nicole until I could find a replacement. Because it was very muggy, I had taken the watch off and put it into my backpack. Once I was back on the ship, I discovered that the watch had disappeared… no doubt in my mind it was taken while I was surrounded by the kids. The watch had only cost her $10 and it was 4 years old, so it wasn’t a huge loss. The fact that a group of kids all under the age of 10 could steal from someone who had showed them kindness hurt me. Losing the watch was not the problem. It was hard to see children, who should still be so innocent and carefree, hardened by circumstances. I struggled with this incident for several weeks, trying to understand how I felt about it. I will never give to the beggars of India again; I may not be able to return. I wish there was more I could do to remedy their poverty, but frankly, I don’t know what can be done. Seeing the poverty in India left me feeling very small; sort of helpless.
Although my experience with the beggar children was difficult, I also had the privilege of visiting the Bala Mandir orphanage while I was in India. I thought that seeing these orphan children would prove to be challenging too, but they brought me so much joy. They were filled with the curiosity and joy of childhood, and they simply wanted to hang out with us. We played on the swings, took pictures, and gave them stickers and coloring books. The boys at the orphanage taught us how to play cricket out in the yard. We had an amazing time.
As we were preparing to leave, one of the older girls ran up to me and began talking with me. She grabbed my hand and placed a small plastic ballerina in it. It was a strange moment for me. We had gone to the orphanage to give the kids toys, coloring books, time, and attention. I had not expected to leave with anything, yet I left with many wonderful gifts! The kids at Bala Mandir taught me that you can be joyful under hard circumstances. They renewed my hope for India. I tried to tell the girl that she needn’t give me anything. I was thrilled just to meet her. But she wanted me to have the gift. It is a gift I greatly treasure.
Before embarking on the voyage, multiple Semester at Sea alumni had told me about India. Some had greatly disliked it while others loved it. All agreed that India had a great effect on them. I agree. You cannot visit India and leave exactly as you were. Personally, I feel India has had a positive impact upon me. Although my experience was far from perfect, I learned a great deal.

I’ll write about Thailand and Vietnam soon!