Out of the Ashes

Today, I woke before the sun to the sound of prayers being lifted up at the Hindu temple at the top of the hill. I was reminded of a friend, Amreeta, who when I visited her woke up at 3:30am everyday to prayer to “her God” before they prayed to “their god”.  I was reminded of the need for prayer.  I was stirred and sleepless and I too began to pray.  I decided to dress and leave the guesthouse and try to capture the poignant sounds on audio, but as I went to leave I found I was barred and locked in.  I was reminded of the wild monkeys and leopards, and the need for locked doors. I waited in the stillness of the night.  Through the barred gate, I gazed out over the mountain and saw thousands, millions of twinkling lights of the cities down below. The electricity is so inconsistent here; I think it makes the lights twinkle even more. I was reminded of the millions that have not yet heard, that don’t know. There is a darkness here that needs light. I was...

BAM! And India hits you just like that. The smells, the sights, the sounds, the people. India is and it isn’t. You have and you don’t have. You do and you don’t. I think learning India is about learning each city is so different, each day is different. India is changing and vastly increasing in knowledge and ability and technology.   And in other ways, India is still very much the same as it was years ago. I am not sure there is a norm to be learned, but rather an understanding that there is no norm and learning the new norm is a daily process. I forgot the smells of the polluted air, the oil, the smog, the mildew, the garbage, and the incense burning to the idols.   I forgot the way the smell gets so permanently ingrained in the towels and sheets of the guest homes. I forgot the sights of Hindu temples, colors galore, signs and saris flashing as your drive by the streets. I forgot the men standing on the side of the street urinating, I forgot the...