Today I did a miraculous thing. I went for a walk around my neighborhood. I have been here for almost five months and it is the first time that I went for an aimless walk. In fact, I had never turned right from my driveway before...only left, toward the main road and bus stop. It's not that I've not had time to do so. I can't give a good explanation as to why I haven't explored like this before. I think it's because most days are exhausting in various ways (confusing, hot/sticky, overwhelming, futile, etc.) so by the time I get home, I just want to be a bit of a shut-in. I'm not proud of that, but I guess it's how I process or maintain some sort of balance. Or something. But I wish I had done this much earlier. I realized that walking through my residential area is an incredible pick-me-up. It was like Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, or some damn thing. Women and children saying hello, smiles around every corner, people working, children playing & inquiring about my name and other curiosities, toothless women asking me questions in a language I don't know, then settling for an exchange of smiles. I feel a bit foolish that this was my debut to the neighborhood, but I'll try not to be too hard on myself. I get it. Sometimes I'm tired and inviting further interaction than necessary can be more tiring.
But let me share with you a really sweet interaction I have experienced numerous times, which occurred yet again today. It goes like this:
A group of 3 or more school girls turns a corner, walking toward me, chatting and laughing cutely, until they spot me. Then, in Malayalam, one informs the others of my presence and all of their spines stiffen and their eyes shift down to the ground, occasionally darting up to meet mine as they attempt to contain tiny smiles until I say hello. Then they bust out into giant grins and respond with gasping hellos as if they had been holding their breath too long. It's so damn adorable.
But let me share with you a really sweet interaction I have experienced numerous times, which occurred yet again today. It goes like this:
A group of 3 or more school girls turns a corner, walking toward me, chatting and laughing cutely, until they spot me. Then, in Malayalam, one informs the others of my presence and all of their spines stiffen and their eyes shift down to the ground, occasionally darting up to meet mine as they attempt to contain tiny smiles until I say hello. Then they bust out into giant grins and respond with gasping hellos as if they had been holding their breath too long. It's so damn adorable.
