I reached into my backpack the other day and found money from six countries. Man, I’ve been everywhere! In coins and bills I had Argentine pesos, Brazilian reais, more pesos from Colombia, Malaysian ringit, Indian rupees and American dollars. (Somehow the shekels, naira and yuan I’ve collected didn’t make the voyage)By far the most significant experience has been my time in India, while each trip, on each continent, has impact in myriad ways. Nearly seven months have zipped past since I arrived in Bangalore and today they draw to a close; I’m leaving India and returning home to the U.S.
What awaits me at home is far from certain, but I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge.
Right now I’m talking through exciting opportunities on both coasts, and I’m going to take some time to think it all through. That said, I’m very much in motion and eager for a new project.
There’s a lot I wish I could have seen and done while I was here–India is a wondrously diverse and, at times, enchanted land, but I’m not sad to go. One cannot explore what the world has to offer and remain stationary at the same time. While it’s going to take months and distance to sift through all the details of my life here. This experience has changed me and I won’t know the full extent of until I am gone.
In one hour, I will board a British Airways flight #118 for Seattle, I will be heading back to the U.S. more Indian than most friends who claim ancestry. Ask anyone with whom I’ve shared this experience and they will echo my sentiments. Perhaps a part of me lived in India in another life and surely parts of me will stay.
I’ve done lots of reflection and I will share some of those thoughts soon, but right now I have to make a last sweep of my room and get ready for my taxi.
I’m looking forward to my first bites of teriyaki, salmon and Mexican food, something Seattle does very well. There will also be lots of time watching Sopranos reruns with the family and the crisp, clean, delicious air of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle has its magic too!
A rolling stone gathers no moss, now it’s time for liftoff!