Deep and Meaningful Stuff

When we arrived in India and spent a hectic week in Kolkata, I thought that this month long trip would take forever. Now that we are spending less time in the cities and more time on the road, the days are flying by. It is hard to believe that it is Christmas in just 4 days. Which means Mumbai in 4 days. And Goa shortly after- the place that symbolizes for us the end of our journey.

I feel like I haven't had any massive shift of my outlook on life, or any great change of focus on what I want to achieve. I have always wanted to pursue a career that gives to others more than myself; a 'helping' profession as my dad calls it. Being in India hasn't changed that, but what it has done is confirm that there are people and causes 'out there' in the rest of the world, and to a lesser extent in New Zealand, that I almost have a duty to do something about. Whether my contribution will be in India, in NZ or any other country, my fundamental goal in life has not changed in the last two weeks.

In some ways I am slightly jealous, or maybe frustrated, that some of the other tour members have had huge culture shocks that have had a big impact on their world, and I have not. Then again, by taking in the experiences so far and further questioning myself, my ideals and most significantly my faith, I do feel that I have grown as a person. At the very least, I have reaffirmed and cemented that which I already believed in, but had not challenged or put to the test. Sunrise over the Ganges was a hugely special moment for me, despite it being the centre of a religion that until this trip was very alien to me (Hinduism). All this coincides with the book I am currently reading, The Life of Pi. Apart from being a fascinating story and a very good read, it sheds much insight on the three main religions in India and the comparisons and contrasts that can be observed between them. It has been very thought provoking, particularly whilst reading it in India. I strongly recommend it to everyone.

All in all, India has been a paradoxical experience for me. I have loved the journey thus far, but have hated many of the sights I have seen. I have sought answers, and found only questions. I am only two weeks into the trip, yet feel like I have been here forever. But I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Amongst the chaos, I have found peace. And it is such a good feeling.

Christopher