Developing perceptions

Not only am I maturing as a traveler,
my perceptions of India are also developing.
naturally.

Every two weeks I’m in Delhi.
And every time I precieve the capital city differently.
My preception has proved to be a good Inda-meter.

I have come to Delhi four times now
I flew to Delhi
I sent Sine off from Delhi
I came to Delhi to meet Sharad the comics man before the Comics Workshop.
And I leave from Delhi

First everything was new and exotic.
I did not understand what was going on around me.
It was like being in the theatre.
So different.
Different from the familiar.
Different from home.
I thought Delhi was as much India as it got.
I must admit, it was overwhelming.
Scary.

On my first return,
I was a bit more at ease.
Alone for the first time,
I was ok with dealing with rickshaw drivers,
but that was about it.
I was excited,I knew that India was full of adventures,
but I was nervous.
All my movements were movements of stress.

Last time I was here I only stopped for a night.
I felt important,
familiar,
going to ‘a meeting in Delhi’.
I was not a tourist!
I felt like a big shot.

Now, two days before I leave India,
I have a slight feeling of being home.
Things are familiar.
And Delhi is a Metropolitan city,
as cosmopolitan as it gets.
I am at ease.
I know where to go.
I know how to get there.
I understand what the people do and why.
I feel that I understand the people somewhat.
I feel that I understand the city somewhat.
I feel that I understand the country somewhat.

This is the reason I came to India.
To get to understand some of her culture.
I think that I have accomplished.

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