12/4 The First Weekend in Quick Review
Bhagsu Waterfall
Saturday was simply wonderful. A late morning hike up to the waterfall was a peaceful start and helped me to feel like myself again after Delhi the sickness knocked me out. We had more people asking for pictures, and Kyle and I obliged one group. We then proceeded to pick up the pace walking. The shops on the edge of town are much calmer; not one is constantly saying, “Hello friend!”(I will talk about that later). From the waterfall we came back and relaxed, napped, I went to see Jhon, went scarf shopping, and walked the Kora. My dinner was Korean food, not what I was expecting to find in India, but still good. I got another round of sickness later that night, so I didn’t sleep well. This morning was Tangka painting and it was incredible! I took some notes and will write more when I am not so tired. I got a strong wave of sickness and started Cipro today (heavy hitting antibiotics), and as I lay now in bed I have my first feelings of nostalgia. Not because I really miss home, I do, but I miss how good I always feel at home in both the physical state and in the company.
To finish the idea of “Hello friend” I am still very sheltered when it comes to other cultures, but one thing I always think about is the difference between friend and amigo. In the Spanish speaking world, as my understanding goes, to call someone an amigo/amiga is an incredible compliment. There is reverence in the name, and it means they are someone you consider truly close. In America, we seem to throw the word friend around to nearly anyone we know beyond their name. I have been trying for the past few years to make a distinction in myself and only use friend when I mean it. Obviously it is socially expected to say friend more commonly so it’s a pattern I have, but I always stop and think whenever I say it and will usually correct myself to say close friend or true friend when I really mean it. With this in mind, I hear the phrase “Hello friend” and I am hurt a bit to hear that title of friend thrown around to anyone that walks by because that person selling has no interest in the person behind the wallet.
Another India Shot
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