Today’s designs: head in to Jhansi, buy some easily digestible foods and search out some clothing to replace the tops that I left at home or just don’t seem appropriate once here. We crammed onto a shared auto (I got to snuggle up next to the driver) and went to Vishal’s Mega Mart. Like most places in India, you have to either check your bag or there’s a method of scanning and a metal detector. Venise walks right on through with her purse, but I stand at the door, fumbling with my lock and laugh with the guard. He sympathetically waves me in the store and says its ok. There are some perks to being a helpless foreigner at times! Shopping was surprisingly therapeutic, probably because it’s familiar. We get a lot of attention, but everyone goes about their business just like we are: searching for a deal and stocking up on the basics. At the checkout (standing still) is when people finally get courage to start talking to me. I realize how happy I am to tell them I’m Canadian (no offence to Caucasians of other nationalities) and they respond with the same enthusiasm. I share my picture I brought with me of my world: my family and a map of where I am from. One thing I know about the Indian culture is their communal nature and natural intrigue. I love being in a place where being free and open about my life and my home is appreciated. I had to venture to a market stand on the roadside for any fresh fruit, and before I knew it we had ten, maybe twenty boys and men all circling us, asking what we wanted. In Delhi, this would have been and was incredibly intimidating, but here, it came from a place of honest desire to be helpful. Or maybe curiosity? But it wasn’t at all threatening. I walked away with three bananas, four apples and a pomegranate for $1.23 CDN. I was likely totally ripped off, but how can I bargain down an old man with half his teeth and kind eyes for a few cents in my pocket? Now I’ll be honest, seeing these stands from inside an auto this past week, I was pretty fearful of them. It seems silly to me now that I faced it and experienced it. We made it home 10 minutes before a beautiful downpour, and now I sit, writing this blog entry in one of the most peaceful beautiful places I’ve had the privilege to be in. I feel so much gratitude that my fears didn’t stop me from this moment. (Interested in how much things cost? I purchased gifts for the kids, three tops, one scarf, all the comfort food I need, four large bottles of mango juice, toiletries, two bowls with lids and cookies for the office for the equivalent of $78 CDN.) Where I get to sit and type.
5 Comments
Michelle Scott
9/17/2017 01:35:06 pm
I love hearing your stories about your adventure and experience there. 😀 Great photos too!
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Theresa L. Toms
9/17/2017 08:13:00 pm
I am very proud of you are what you are doing Ashley! You are an inspiration to many other women both young and old! Misd you lots!
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Gauri
9/18/2017 09:48:36 am
What a wonderful experience Ashley! ❤️
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Ashley
9/19/2017 05:30:14 am
It was Gauri! I hope it will propel me in the future towards some pretty amazing experiences with just as amazing stories to share.
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Ashley
9/19/2017 05:28:54 am
Thanks Theresa! Of course a part of me misses home as well. :)
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AuthorAshley J.E. Hull Archives
November 2017
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