My house has been taken over by family at the moment. I have nine cousins, one great aunt, two aunts and two uncles all staying in my home. They are a really tiny portion of my huge extended family. I have fifteen first cousins alone, and I have no idea how many second cousins, but definitely at least the ten who are visiting now.
While most of my family is still in India, I do have a scattering of family members who are part of the Indian diaspora. Or the spread of Indians across the globe into Europe, Australia, Africa and the US. These displaced Indians are called Non-Resident Indians, or NRIs. I have family in England, Canada and France. Throughout my life I have visited them all.
The first time I traveled alone was when I was eight, to visit these cousins in England. It was a pretty scary thing for an eight-year old. I flew by myself and didn't see my parents for a whole summer in another country. It was scary and daunting, but so is all intense travel. Maybe that was how my wanderlust was born, that very summer. That's why I love having my cousins here, because they take me back to what was probably a very crucial time in my life, even though I hardly realized it. So yay for family and the epiphanies that come with them!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
A Lingua Portuguesa
Now that I'm stateside again I constantly overhear Spanglish. I think most foreigners are unaware of how much Spanish and Hispanic culture are kind of omnipresent in the US. I certainly forgot while I was away. It's a little disconcerting to hear suddenly when I had become so accustomed to hearing Portuguese all the time. I kind of miss it.
Spanish is definitely a beautiful language, but I miss the sing-songy cadence of Brazilian Portuguese. By the time I left Rio, my Portuguese had actually become fairly decent. Not good, but decent. I feel like I left to soon, at least in terms of linguistic development. I really want to continue with Portuguese. If you're someone who wants to have an international career, you can't ever really know too few languages.
I'm not always sure if Portuguese is a good call in terms of work prospects though. It might be more "prudent" to learn Spanish. There are 9 countries in the world for whom Portuguese is the official language. There are 24 Spanish speaking countries in the world. However, Portuguese is spoken mostly in Brazil and in Lusaphone Africa, especially Brazil, since 90% of the world's Portuguese population lives there. These are both parts of the world where I would want to live and work. But I might just excuses for the fact that I just LIKE Portuguese more than I like Spanish.
Spanish is definitely a beautiful language, but I miss the sing-songy cadence of Brazilian Portuguese. By the time I left Rio, my Portuguese had actually become fairly decent. Not good, but decent. I feel like I left to soon, at least in terms of linguistic development. I really want to continue with Portuguese. If you're someone who wants to have an international career, you can't ever really know too few languages.
I'm not always sure if Portuguese is a good call in terms of work prospects though. It might be more "prudent" to learn Spanish. There are 9 countries in the world for whom Portuguese is the official language. There are 24 Spanish speaking countries in the world. However, Portuguese is spoken mostly in Brazil and in Lusaphone Africa, especially Brazil, since 90% of the world's Portuguese population lives there. These are both parts of the world where I would want to live and work. But I might just excuses for the fact that I just LIKE Portuguese more than I like Spanish.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Snoop Dogg does Bollywood
So guess what!! Snoop Dogg has a new song out, and it's going to be on a Bollywood soundtrack! The movie is called "Singh is Kinng" and releases in August. The whole thing is a part of Snoop Dogg's attempt to bring rap music to India.
I'm guessing most American people are going to find this really hilarious and laugh condescendingly about it. I think it's genius actually. Rap and hip hop artists have been sampling Bollywood and traditional music for years and a lot of Bollywood music is inspired by rap music too. Also, by tapping into Bollywood music Snoop is making a really lucrative financial decision. Most Americans don't know this, but Bollywood is THE largest film industry in the world, and annually produces twice the number of films that Hollywood does. Bollywood films are also extremely popular in many countries worldwide...except the USA. By tapping into the Bollywood market, he is making his music more popular worldwide.
I know most of you won't believe me on this, but I really do believe that Bollywood is going to break the US film market just like it has on all other continents. Bollywood and Indian actors are already breaking into American films. The beautiful Aishwarya Rai has already acted in numerous American films, including most recently playing Mira the Indian warrior princess in Last Legion. I think Snoop Dogg has realized this potential that lies in Bollywood as a globally expanding market and I definitely predict a reciprocal introduction of Indian film in the US.
I'm guessing most American people are going to find this really hilarious and laugh condescendingly about it. I think it's genius actually. Rap and hip hop artists have been sampling Bollywood and traditional music for years and a lot of Bollywood music is inspired by rap music too. Also, by tapping into Bollywood music Snoop is making a really lucrative financial decision. Most Americans don't know this, but Bollywood is THE largest film industry in the world, and annually produces twice the number of films that Hollywood does. Bollywood films are also extremely popular in many countries worldwide...except the USA. By tapping into the Bollywood market, he is making his music more popular worldwide.
I know most of you won't believe me on this, but I really do believe that Bollywood is going to break the US film market just like it has on all other continents. Bollywood and Indian actors are already breaking into American films. The beautiful Aishwarya Rai has already acted in numerous American films, including most recently playing Mira the Indian warrior princess in Last Legion. I think Snoop Dogg has realized this potential that lies in Bollywood as a globally expanding market and I definitely predict a reciprocal introduction of Indian film in the US.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Culture Shock Part II-Bem vindo aos Estados Unidos
I have officially arrived! I got in to Houston at 5:30 AM central time, and have a 10 hour layover. Good thing wireless is pretty much standard in all US airports nowadays. At least I can entertain myself.
I've only just arrived and the culture shock has already begun. As I walked from the plane to US Immigration, airport staff kept saying in happy Texan accents "Welcome to George Bush International Airport!" which served as a reminder: "Welcome to the United States: GUESS WHO'S STILL YOUR PRESIDENT!!!!" Whatever, only four more months right?
In line at customs there were multiple TV screens playing a welcoming video of diverse American men, women and families greeting the new arrivals. Seriously. Welcome to the States, where we hit you over the head with how diverse we are. Also weirding me out was seeing and hearing Spanish everywhere. After months of Portuguese the Spanish seems extremely foreign. I had forgotten how much the Spanish language and Latino culture is part of life in the US., especially in places like Texas, California and New York. It's weird to be back. Good weird, but still weird.
I've only just arrived and the culture shock has already begun. As I walked from the plane to US Immigration, airport staff kept saying in happy Texan accents "Welcome to George Bush International Airport!" which served as a reminder: "Welcome to the United States: GUESS WHO'S STILL YOUR PRESIDENT!!!!" Whatever, only four more months right?
In line at customs there were multiple TV screens playing a welcoming video of diverse American men, women and families greeting the new arrivals. Seriously. Welcome to the States, where we hit you over the head with how diverse we are. Also weirding me out was seeing and hearing Spanish everywhere. After months of Portuguese the Spanish seems extremely foreign. I had forgotten how much the Spanish language and Latino culture is part of life in the US., especially in places like Texas, California and New York. It's weird to be back. Good weird, but still weird.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Last day, last words
I'm at the airport taking advantage of the free Wi-Fi. My flight is at 9 PM. I was afraid to leave, but I've had a change of heart. I'm sure I'll be menaced by culture shock upon my return, but I think it really is time. Brasil was a great chapter in my life, but like all chapters it's ending.
It's funny how a place can begin to mean so much to you, in almost a symbolic way. Brasil will symbolize sort of a turning point in my youth. I feel this sense of invincibility, like I can do anything, because I conquered the many hurdles I faced in this country. I think the possibility of losing that confidence was what frightened me, but no longer.
I think that so much of how you feel about a place is strongly tied to the people you meet there. I was very fortunate to meet some great people. My friends Hanna and Melanie especially were two of my closest friends here, and we supported each other every step of the way in Brasil. My parents too, they were always only a phone call away.
A lot of my expat friends have said they want to move back to Brasil and start a new life in Sao Paulo. I'm not sure If I want to do the same thing. I think a lot of the happiness you feel in a place is because of the friendships you have and memories you make, not persay because of the place itself. I loved Brasil and Sao Paulo, but there's no guarantee that it would be the same when I returned. For my friends, I hope they do come back, and I hope for their sakes it will be just as great as they remember. I'll be there in spirit. I definitely think I'll come back to Brasil, but in a totally different capacity, as a tourist.
As far as my writing, I plan on keeping the blog going for a little while after I come back. Probably until I go to Yale. I can give you all my input on the experiences of a gringa (foreigner visitor in Latin America) back in the homeland.
It's funny how a place can begin to mean so much to you, in almost a symbolic way. Brasil will symbolize sort of a turning point in my youth. I feel this sense of invincibility, like I can do anything, because I conquered the many hurdles I faced in this country. I think the possibility of losing that confidence was what frightened me, but no longer.
I think that so much of how you feel about a place is strongly tied to the people you meet there. I was very fortunate to meet some great people. My friends Hanna and Melanie especially were two of my closest friends here, and we supported each other every step of the way in Brasil. My parents too, they were always only a phone call away.
A lot of my expat friends have said they want to move back to Brasil and start a new life in Sao Paulo. I'm not sure If I want to do the same thing. I think a lot of the happiness you feel in a place is because of the friendships you have and memories you make, not persay because of the place itself. I loved Brasil and Sao Paulo, but there's no guarantee that it would be the same when I returned. For my friends, I hope they do come back, and I hope for their sakes it will be just as great as they remember. I'll be there in spirit. I definitely think I'll come back to Brasil, but in a totally different capacity, as a tourist.
As far as my writing, I plan on keeping the blog going for a little while after I come back. Probably until I go to Yale. I can give you all my input on the experiences of a gringa (foreigner visitor in Latin America) back in the homeland.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
LOL
Sad, but true. Case in point, a Norwegian guy here told me, "It's a dream of mine to go to India, I really want to see the Taj Mahal...You probably don't know what that is..." Yeah, thanks for enlightening me buddy.
*Disclaimer: I don't per say like Stuff White People Like Blog. In fact it kind of weirds me out. It describes all my friends from college. The white ones :)
*Disclaimer: I don't per say like Stuff White People Like Blog. In fact it kind of weirds me out. It describes all my friends from college. The white ones :)
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