I chose India for my summer internship, dumb-founded as my friends and family were , I knew in my heart of hearts that I was making the right decision
When I landed in Mumbai airport, the first thing to notice was the heat, it was unbearable , I got lost finding my way to the station and a lady approached me and she deduced that I was lost she asked me if I needed any help and I told her where my destination expecting just a reply , instead she accompanied me until my train came and gave me some food and water as I looked exhausted, the kindness I saw in her eyes , I couldnt express into words, I felt safe though I was completely stranded somewhere at the other end of the universe.
When I safely reached my hostel, my two indian roommates greeted me warmly,fed me some of their spicy food, and gave me one of their bindis to stick on my forehead as a nice treat , it was so thoughtful.. (they told me that this means I'm married in hindu and giggled )
when I went out on the streets to discover the city, I noticed cows sitting restlessly in the middle of the main street while cars and pedestrians passed by, and some passers-by stopped and fed the cows,as they are sacred , they hold great respect for it,I was amazed as nobody could harm those cows because its part of their religion.
When I met with my international friends later that night , we went to try on some saris which is the conventional costume of Indians, how beautiful the embroidery of the cloth! as days passed I no longer wore my regular clothes, my pattern of clothes has changed , I have purchased some indian kurtas which are long dresses and I wore them each night , I felt beautiful and comfortable in them, and because I'm egyptian with dark complexion just like the Indians , there were many who mistook me for an Indian and surprisingly, I was delighted to hear that as I was proud to be part of that culture.
We made a trip to taj mahal, and each time I try to describe the feeling to anyone who asks me what is it like? I fail misreably for I cant fathom the feelings I developed at that moment seeing that wondrous, miraculous, jaw-dropping place, suffice to say that I knew now the meaning of something that takes the breath away, whatever religion you belong to, this doesnt constitute just a mosque, its something that will spiritually awaken you, captivate you leaving you spell-bound.
During my stay in india I didn’t feel like a stranger, on the contrary I felt like I was home, people were caring and kindness flowed from them like a river, In my last day of India , I savored everything, packed with me unforgettable memories that will stay in my heart forever.
