Well, it's been almost a year since I moved out of India. We moved to Poland a year back to explore new opportunities and most importantly, to travel around Europe. I was always fascinated by Bollywood especially Yash Raj Movies - DDLJ. It was my dream to visit Switzerland. I had never been out of India before and in just last one year we traveled so many countries of Europe- Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Belgium and Austria. Best part of staying and working in Europe is work life balance which I craved like anything when I was working in India. My job had very erratic hours, few months I even worked at a stretch on all weekends, no offs. Now, I am back to my daily Yoga practice here in one of the beautiful parks next to my home. My inlaws moved with us here and we are enjoying a family life here too like in India. Life seems just perfect, no pollution, no honking, no noise, good roads, clean environment, fresh air etc. But still the Indian in me feels incomplete, I feel like a part of me is still living in India. I have always been a "Desi" all my life, I don't like any other cuisine apart from Indian cuisine. I don't like cakes, pizzas, pasta, burgers forget even Mexican or Chinese. Lately I have started missing India very much and I have decided that no matter wherever we are currently or wherever we go in future, we will GO BACK to India.
1) I miss my parents and sister the most. Though I am still fortunate enough to meet them once in a year even now. When I was staying in India, I could see them every 2 months. I cannot live whole my life seeing my parents just once in a year. I feel I am missing so many important moments of my life.
2) I miss our endless festivals in India, my personal favorites are Navratri and Ganpati. I love the energy of Navratri in Ahmedabad, it just charges your soul to see everyone dancing. And Ganpati in Pune is full of fun for 10 days, from Sthapna to Visarjan.
3) I miss my colorful Indian clothes/suits, they make me feel bright and fresh.
4) I miss getting ready for weddings/family functions. My mother-in-law has a very big family, and all brothers-sisters make sure to meet each other. And when the whole gang is together everyone is awake till 4 AM.
5) Though I liked the laid back work culture here initially, I am missing my deadlines and pressure to continuously deliver.
6) I miss "Chai pe Charcha" with my office friends and the endless gupshup about science, politics, movies, parties etc.
7) I miss my maid "Nanda", she is a widow with a teenage son, always cheerful and hard working. When I used to have a tough day and start behaving grumpy, the moment I see her, I feel immense respect for her. She used to support 4 members of her family by just working alone from morning 6 till night 9.
8) Oh, how can I forget to mention the food.. Endless varieties of tasty Indian food.
9) Mangoes Mangoes and Mangoes :) We do get them here and they are even tastier but very very costly. Still we eat them, but I miss the bulk Mango toplas we used to have at home.
10) I miss the bonding and connection here in relationships. Here everything looks very mechanical and nuclear.
Someone has rightly said that you value something in life only when you don't have it. I feel the same, I love, value and miss India more after being away from India. And I would like to end it with
"You can take a person out of India, but you cannot take India out of that person" :)
1) I miss my parents and sister the most. Though I am still fortunate enough to meet them once in a year even now. When I was staying in India, I could see them every 2 months. I cannot live whole my life seeing my parents just once in a year. I feel I am missing so many important moments of my life.
2) I miss our endless festivals in India, my personal favorites are Navratri and Ganpati. I love the energy of Navratri in Ahmedabad, it just charges your soul to see everyone dancing. And Ganpati in Pune is full of fun for 10 days, from Sthapna to Visarjan.
3) I miss my colorful Indian clothes/suits, they make me feel bright and fresh.
4) I miss getting ready for weddings/family functions. My mother-in-law has a very big family, and all brothers-sisters make sure to meet each other. And when the whole gang is together everyone is awake till 4 AM.
5) Though I liked the laid back work culture here initially, I am missing my deadlines and pressure to continuously deliver.
6) I miss "Chai pe Charcha" with my office friends and the endless gupshup about science, politics, movies, parties etc.
7) I miss my maid "Nanda", she is a widow with a teenage son, always cheerful and hard working. When I used to have a tough day and start behaving grumpy, the moment I see her, I feel immense respect for her. She used to support 4 members of her family by just working alone from morning 6 till night 9.
8) Oh, how can I forget to mention the food.. Endless varieties of tasty Indian food.
9) Mangoes Mangoes and Mangoes :) We do get them here and they are even tastier but very very costly. Still we eat them, but I miss the bulk Mango toplas we used to have at home.
10) I miss the bonding and connection here in relationships. Here everything looks very mechanical and nuclear.
Someone has rightly said that you value something in life only when you don't have it. I feel the same, I love, value and miss India more after being away from India. And I would like to end it with
"You can take a person out of India, but you cannot take India out of that person" :)
Comments
This is what every Indian goes through when living abroad!
Life perspective become totally changed when we start contemplating things from inside...
Its grt that you're enjoying good lifestyle there. Enjoy being desi n be happy! We miss u too...