Unplugging

As I walked for the first time in the crashing waves against the shore of the Arabian Sea, I noticed the stringent difference between life in India and life back in the states. The energy pulsates to a different vibration, slower, more relaxed and free. There is no overload of texting and blackberries, laptops and ipods. Cellphones are not glued to ears or interrupting conversations because of their pestering ringtones. No one is in a great rush to do anything. No long to-do lists keeping minds occupied. Indian people really live each moment. They talk to each other. They take naps. They stroll in parks with children, laughing while sharing a cup of vanilla ice cream eaten with wooden spoons. Almost daily, a crowd gathers at the coast to witness the amazing sunset on the rippling waters. There are boisterous and friendly gatherings of people mashing and mixing varieties of foods, thoroughly enjoying the eating experience. They don’t dine in front of any type of screen, except for that of another person. I have not seen one single McDonalds or Starbucks, no Gap or Wal-mart. Everything is authentic and simple. We, as a country may be more technologically advanced, more modern, and organized but somewhere along the way, we lost the essence of what it really means to be human beings, to really live, enjoying and appreciating life. Most of the natives live in a small box of space, no bigger than my Manhattan miniature bathroom, but they carry and inhibit such an incredible sense of contentment, of being resourceful and thankful for what they have. Indian culture does not revolve around consuming the best clothes, the fanciest cars or the newest designer bag. They have a much deeper appreciation for the smaller things, the things that we as America overlook, are too busy for, and take for granted. We are too wrapped up in doing that we forget about being. Our lives have no time for slowing down, shutting down, powering down.


It has been amazing to have no cell phone while traveling. Not able to be reached. Completely unplugged. I am left with a lot of time to myself without the distractions I have become desensitized to. Upon returning, I hope the essence of India remains, reminding me to relish in each day I am alive. To slow down and give thanks for all that beauty that exists in the world.