Monday, February 23, 2009

India...






Its been ten years and I can't believe I'm back here. 

I love India. The noise, the chaos, the smell, the people, the food, all of it. This country has a remarkable ability to hide absolutely nothing from you. She's like a great mother, wrathful and senseless yet at times vulnerable, innocent and nurturing. I can see how some never want to return but not me...for some reason I feel so alive here; senses on fire constantly. 

India forces you to live in the present in a way the West doesn't. If its not a rickshaw almost running you over then its the pungent odor of rotting meat on the side of the road mixed with burning incense. Perhaps thats why its also so exhausting... sometimes I feel two hours out in the streets bartering with hawkers or fending off beggars is equal to a full day back home. Nothing really works in and of itself yet as a whole the energetic movement of the country seems to move with an organic like flow. 

Its is indeed a land of paradox; at one moment sane, civilized and progressive and the next blaring, elitist, sexist and stinky. Did I mention yet that I love every nonsensical moment of it?

We're still settling in here in Mumbai so check back for updates.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with you. Never been to India but went to several african countries and always got the same feelings.
Enjoy your trip.

Anonymous said...

Wow.. had no idea you were going! Have an amazing journey! :)

Anonymous said...

love that 1st shot martin! enjoy your travels.

Ami said...

That photo of the girl is crazy-good!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful pictures, both! I'd like to travel to India too as you describe it here ..

robyn said...

martin ... wow! good for you!!! you mentioned this trip early fall when we last worked together and i have to say people talk daily about working dream-trips and they rarely make it ... i read your email this morning and am SUPER proud of you for doing this. live your story, india is like nothing else ... your images are so alive, yeah i guess i can smell them. have an amazing time ... i'll keep following your posts for inspiration .