Almost like home!

So I touched upon seeing India everywhere. Africa as a whole is very similar to India. Now I wonder if it's the same for South American countries as well. I hope to find out soon enough!

There are some very prominent differences though. Most of the African countries have been under the oppression of dictators or military some time or other after their independence from colonial rulers. Why did that not happen to India? Possibly a very naive viewpoint, but I like to believe that we are more rebellious people. We defy authority more, though maybe just in comparison? It cannot be genetic, we are the same people.

Some discussions on this idea have brought out the possible cause of this difference being slavery, which destroyed the African sense of empowerment on a deep and large scale. Another possible reason could be the very unfortunate but ubiquitous sense of superiority that skin color brings to the rest of the world, even today. And hence a complimentary sense of inferiority and helplessness.

These questions are tough and sensitive, and I am by no means an expert. I don't mean to offend anyone, just wish to explore some of the questions that cross my mind. Open to criticism and ideas!

The common theme here seems to be that there were oppressive rulers, who exposed the worst sides of human nature without restraint. Idi Amine, Rwandan genocide. But they were not overthrown by the people rebelling in solidarity. They were overthrown by some hero who emerged out of the masses and changed things.

Thank god for those heroes.

Long time no see, see me in Kampala!

It's been a while since I wrote another post. Why? Because I've been busy traveling, exploring Africa, weekend after weekend. Right now I'm in Kampala, capital city of Uganda. I'll make the confession that is troubling me first, before going into details of my travels. I am at a 4 star hotel, paying $120 for my room, just for the internet, security and luxury. So much for my 'I don't need money to be happy' motto. I conceded, after a 12 hour bus ride, night in a $8 hostel, 8 hour moto-ride across the city, I conceded to luxury. I conceded to the power of money. Ugh. Now I know, I cannot be the budget traveller 100% of time. I need the security of conceding to the power of the green whenever I want/need. I'll blame my upbringing on that for now. But this pushes me further into the swamp of confusion that has taken over my life.

Hmm. Ok, now I can begin. The questions of my life for later, as always.

Yes, I'm in Kampala, and like all the muzungus in Kigali who've been here, I really like it. It is chaotic, dirty, crazy, but seems more alive and free. Kigali has its own charm though, with the cleanliness, orderliness, peacefulness and niceness. I can't decide which one I prefer. Kigali is better in all respects, safety and peace being my favorite, but Kampala seems more real. Or maybe it is just my homesickness speaking.

Talking about homesickness, I see India everywhere. And to the distress of those around me here, I talk about India everywhere, all the time. Lot of India education has been done for my friends here, whether they wanted or not. I am not particularly homesick to be home, with my family (I hope they don't think I'm a horrible person after they read this), but I'm homesick for my country. I yearn being in a place where people understand my language easily, one which I can use to express my feelings properly: " Arre yar bhaiya, moto dhang se chalao, giraoge kya??? Itni jaldi kis baat ki hai??" instead of just "Slow Slow!!" (hoping he'll understand).

And I miss the food. More than the food, I miss the feeling of knowing that I will get what I like. Knowing how a samosa will taste like, golgappe, momos, however badly they are made, I can find them everywhere, and they will be good enough to satisfy me. Knowing that I don't have to push myself to try and like some non-vegetarian option, just because the veggie options suck.

I miss knowing how to navigate my life well enough for it not to be my biggest concern. I miss knowing how expensive something is and how cheap. I miss not having to convert the currency three times (Rs., $ and now Rwandan Franks in Uganda). I miss knowing what is rude and what is not. I miss people understanding my head wiggle.

Yes, yes, first time living abroad, I get it. Bleh.

Indian Africans and Indian Americans

Indian Americans are very American and Indian Africans are very Indian. I wonder why.

1. Skin color prejudice still exists. Is this the reason for Indians, who are sort of in the middle of the color spectrum, are more drawn towards the perceived superior culture? I wish not.

2. Do people in developing countries care less about how cool you are, or if you are like everyone else or not? Or is it just the USA, including everyone in, but requiring them to behave as Americans more than anything else, to grant the inclusion at a deeper level?

3. Similarity in cultures means more tolerance and inclusion. Is it just the fact that India is so similar to Africa in many ways, that both cultures can easily co-exist and maintain their individuality?

4. More developed is more sophisticated and more sophisticated is better. So why not embrace it?

That makes me wonder how Africans feel in India. I think it would be similar to here, we wouldn't expect them to behave as Indians, however long they've been there. But that also might mean that we would never think of them as Indians, always as outsiders. Even if they completely embrace our culture. I think in India foreigners are always foreigners.

Sometimes I wonder why I wonder so much.