I can’t believe it: my time in India is almost over. Part of me is so ready to go, but part of me can’t believe I’m leaving.
Things I miss about home:
1. Health. Simply put, I’m sick of being sick. In the past month I’ve been bed-ridden in two cities and I’ve fainted in another. I’ve been to some crowded, uncomfortable hospitals, and I’ve had my fair share of stomachaches. I need to cleanse my body and feel healthy again.
2. Raw fruits and veggies. I’ve missed them dearly. Get me an orange and be my best friend for life.
3. Quiet streets. The endless honking in Indian city streets is quite an adjustment. I think I’d prefer it here with earplugs.
4. Hygiene. It’ll be nice to know that if I want to take a shower, I’ll probably have running water. I also probably won’t find a lizard sitting on the showerhead.
Things I’ll miss once I’m home:
1. Indian food. Spicy vegetable curry and naan, dal and rice, masala dosa, chai, laissis… and there are sill so many dishes I want to taste.
2. Reporting. Though it’s been exhausting, I’ve absolutely loved this little stint of international journalism. I hope I can have more opportunities to try again later down the road.
3. Surprise and adventure. The rickshaw driver that attempts to save time by traveling the wrong direction down a busy one way street. The man on my domestic flight who starts talking on his cell phone during takeoff. The ant-farm in my dresser and the lizard in my bathroom. Well, I won’t actually miss them, but I’ll miss how you’ve got to laugh at things like them, because life is just more fun that way.
4. The break from Internet and technology. Yes, I was still checking e-mail and blogging, but I was no longer glued to my laptop like I am at home. It was nice to know that life still goes on even if I don’t check Facebook.
5. Embracing simplicity. Since I was living out of a backpack and I don’t have a very strong back, I couldn’t take too many things with me on this trip. Just a few changes of clothes and a few of the basic necessities. It’ll be good to have more options, but it was also kind of wonderful knowing that I don’t need too much to be happy.
6. Incredibly kind people I’ve met along the way. From Anoop’s family to the Tibetan community in exile, so many strangers have gone out of their way to help me. I think I’ll miss them the most.
