John in India

Finally! John is here. I realized during Phil and Danielle's visits the impact of having outsiders take a brief look into my life here in India. Sometimes I cringe at their reactions and sometimes rejoice that good, it's not just me, this is a transformative, chaotic, vivid and wonderful place to live.

I was nervous about John's impending visit for a number of reasons, but realized that my number one concern was: What if John doesn't like India? What if he doesn't get why I chose to come here? I felt like there would then be this huge gap in understanding of the past year (almost) of my life.

But after jumping into our taxi from the international airport back to my quaint little flat in Arjun Nagar, I realized I had nothing to worry about. John has handled touts in Agra, precarious cycle rickshaw rides through the alleys near Jama Masjid, corrupt police hassling market vendors in Sarojini Nagar, and has successfully ventured out on his own to Connaught Place to the Cisco office. Amazingly enough, he has also survived this horrid Delhi heat, windstorms, and we even hand-washed our laundry together this morning. squish.

Those of you who know John probably had no doubt his adjustment would be fast. But it was confirmed when he sent me an email this morning, with no body, just the subject line: "can we get me a tiffen set?"

Welcome to India darlin.