PART I—The Griping Part in Bits & Pieces
Broken Windows
Dammit! The kitchen window was broken. Sagar & Rockwell had just left after delivering my per diem + the original ‘stove.’ I went back into the kitchen & saw shards of glass on the counter. Stunned, I mean I can’t believe none of us noticed the huge space where glass once resided; I looked up & saw the window was basically demolished. I later found out it happened the day before when they were changing a water tank on the roof. As it was being lowered from the top, it slammed into my window. No one felt that little tidbit was important enough to notify me. Shards of glass hanging by a thread which could’ve fallen to hit me at any point in the numerous exits & entrances I made between the accident & actually finding out, not to mention the caretaker’s own children who played barefoot & dirty just below.
& the thing is, that window never got repaired before I left, matter of fact, they wanted to fix it the DAY I was leaving!!
Electricity
Prior to the window incident, there were very heavy rains on one particular morning & I was happy they were over by the time I left for class. This particular studio is located in the Patel Nagar section of New Delhi. It’s in the basement of what was basically an abandoned building undergoing renovation & as mentioned in an earlier post, the entire front façade was missing. The basement is large enough for 2 mid-sized studios but on this day I had to use the smaller one because there was water EVERYWHERE.
Upon arriving, I was told a girl had been electrocuted when she was using the stereo. As she touched it her hand melded with the unit in an electric grip & she screamed falling to the floor. Oh gees. I never heard anything about her again but I sure hope she is ok.
A Dog
…around a corner, a man with a dog was talking to a few people. I was about to pass 2 men when the dog decided he was going to jump out to bite me. Good thing the owner had good reflexes. Phew! Too many near misses here. But damn am I glad they were misses nonetheless. I have felt like I’ve been under assault in one form or fashion for the entire time I’ve been here. & to drive me even crazier
Movies
The second movie I saw here was The Mummy. Intellectually, I was prepared for another invasive search & I knew you couldn’t take liquids in but I wasn’t quite ready for the pronouncement that my small umbrella wasn’t going to be allowed in. Mind you, it was raining out & since they don’t have a place to check items, I was instructed to go out & walk across the way to the parking lot attendant. He gave me a token & I unhappily parted with my Colombian umbrella.
& once again, there was a friggin’ intermission. In the middle of a 90 minute movie?! I thought they only happened with long flicks but it’s for all of them, AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!! & of course it was raining when we left & to add insult to injury, as I was walking up to the booth, the attendant was wrapping up my umbrella because SOMEBODY HAD JUST USED IT! AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!
PART II—Griping morphing…into…GRATITUDE?!
Yes.
One day I woke up & had this talk with myself: ‘kiddo, for this entire trip you have been nothin’ but cranky, miserable & more cranky & miserable. Not to mention scowling. That’s not who you are. What has changed with this point of view? NOTHING. Not a doggone, daggone thing. This place is exactly the same—the invasive searches occur but you understand why don’t you? They have bombings here. & no, there are no sidewalks & you get stared at & you’re scared out of your wits when you walk the streets with the crazy drivers. Yes, the horn honking is driving you bonkers but you know the Indians don’t even notice it & you can block it out too if you really wanted to. But I guess griping is easier than applying your mind, then making other choices like embracing the experiences & this great opportunity. You are in a part of the world you’ve always wanted to see & you’re seeing it. You’re getting PAID to see it. You have the opportunity & pleasure to teach & share your knowledge with close to 50 of some of the nicest, most avid, eager, willing, disciplined, FUN & hardest working young professionals EVER & they are this way in spite of their very grueling schedules. EVERY single person, no matter what their skill level has improved in the time you’ve been here. Now you know from a teacher’s standpoint, THAT’S AN AMAZING PAYOFF!’ What they have achieved in such a short period of time has your utmost respect & admiration. You know many of these folks have only JUST STARTED DANCING! & at ages considered way too late to make anything of it. These folks are awe-inspiring. & the PASSION & DRIVE! That’s something you cannot teach & are always begging your students to give. In addition, some of them volunteered their precious free time to ‘The Bird Babysitting Club’ & shared a part of their India. & boy did you guys have some laughs! In sharing their time & themselves, your Life Experience is enlarged, the view made even greater...’
