First thoughts.
There’s no way to prepare for India. Friends who have traveled or lived here, attempted to paint a picture of what I might experience. People tried to describe it with words, but there’s no way to do that with words. Words help us describe our emotions and our thoughts, but words are inadequate to describe India. You have to experience it. I don’t have a vocabulary that easily explains a hundred different things going on at the same time, matched with how I’m feeling about those exact things all at the same time. There’s so much visual and audible stimulation in every single little city block that after two weeks of traveling along the exact same roads, back and forth, every single day, I still cannot be fully sure of ever where I am. I’m very excited by it and so glad I made the decision to come. I’m very happy. But with that said, it is so chaotic, fast – and yet also, so very slow, and in every possible way my five senses are stimulated to the point I think my head is going to explode some days.
The globalization/modernization/commercialization that has happened in Chennai in the last 4 years is unbelievable according to those who have been here longer. There are modern, technology-driven, high-rise buildings going up everywhere, yet right next door people are sleeping on the dirt and cows are freely rummaging through the trash on the street. People that are disfigured, without limbs or with strange, curious skin afflictions, are left to beg. The highways, sidewalks and train tracks that are being constructed are primarily being built by hand with very little machinery. I’m trying to digest it all. God’s nature is dramatically beautiful through the tropical plants and flowers and the powerful, mighty ocean, yet I watch fishermen, from my 4th floor balcony, come into the grassy area that meets the sandy beach and poop. Right there. How do you prepare for this? I am observing life in the raw: human beings living and making their way. Surviving. It is absolutely incredible.
What does your part of the world look like?
Art Teach Travel 
Hi Anita,
Thanks for sharing your experience. You are a brave soul, embracing change, I’m sure you will be accustomed to all of this in no time! I know someday I will visit India, until then I will experience it thru your eyes, writings, and beautiful pictures you are sharing. Keep writing!!
Hugs
Hi Vida. Thank you for reading and also commenting. I am often told I am brave. I think I’m better described as curious. Thank you for your positive vibe. I can’t wait until you visit India. 🙂
Thank you for letting your friends enjoy this adventure with you. Beautiful pictures.
Hi, Linda! Thank you for reading and supporting this, my next international move. It is exciting and I’m glad you’ve chosen to follow along.
Anita, Thank you for allowing us be armchair travelers. I read this to your mother and a group of our friends at breakfast this morning Sent from my iPad
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Dear Harriet! Thank you so much for 1) reading my blog and 2) reading it to my Mom and friends. I’m so glad. You are helping me SOOOOoooo much by doing this. Thank you!!! I hope you are well. Take care. 🙂
Gorgeous shots, Anita. I’m already looking forward to your dispatches. More please. ~Theadora
Theadora!!! I’m back! Thank you so much for reading along. Bless you for your encouragement. My head is spinning right now adjusting to this new culture. I’m processing as fast as I can! Until soon —
The beginning of an amazing new adventure!
Yes, a new adventure! So much to see and do on this subcontinent!