Thank You India!

Looking at old photos when we lived in India and it made me want to write about it.

In September 2003, we moved to India as expatriate. Prior to moving there, we had 3 weeks of experiencing India. At first everything seems wonderful because we stayed at a 6 star hotel, so they said. Leela Palace looks like a palace alright. If I am not mistaken it supposed to resemble the palace in Mysore.



2 weeks after, we realised something frustrating about India. Communication is just horrible there. I could wait for days waiting for a reply to my question, a simple question. They don't seem to have the attitude of urgency. Pretty laid back and they love to say "Give me 1 minute Madam" but they got back to you 3 days after if I am lucky.


Where we stay was really nice. We stay in a private land with securities. The villas and the landscaping reminded you of US a little. So we were living amongst the rich Indians and fellows expatriates. Its really a different kind of lifestyles. I have to say I feel out of place. Everyone had at least 1 maid and so did I. The reason why I had a maid simply because the house was way too big for me to handle as you can see in the picture. Also I was thinking it would be nice to know a local.


I didn't feel at home in that huge house. Doesn't feel like home. Eventually I got really depressed and miserable. I hated doing any shopping there. I hated the way the rich treated the poor. I hate how some of my neighbours talked and treated their maids. I hated the 'rich' lifestyles. So what did I do? I joined the Overseas Women's Club. Hmmmm didn't make me feel any better. Too many materialistic talk. So as months passed by, I began crying almost every week. It was really hard.

So why the title Thank You India you wonder? Well, because of India, I began to have a close relationship with God. The way I talk and seek Him changed. I began to rely on Him in everything. Living and walking by faith was really really scary but I learned anyway. God became my best friend. A friend that is always there to listen no matter in what state I am. So things were getting slightly better and we moved to a smaller house. I began to feel a little at home and we built a nice private pool up on the roof terrace.




I started to enjoy the countryside in India and realised the less fortunate peoplee are more 'real' and much happier people. I felt good when I am around real people. No talking about which car you have, what furniture you bought, how much money you spent at a particular shop or which land was worth buying etc etc. Being with real people reminded you how beautiful the world is and happiness is when you with people who cares.




Today, I no longer fear problems because of my relationship with Him. There are many many difficult times in my life but because of the relationship I have with God, I managed to still smile through those times. I felt stronger in some way. Its like if God had helped me get through India, why not now? Ya know?

So that is why "Thank You India". Not sure if I will go there again but India had given me many lessons learned and memories to cherish. I am glad I 'get to know' God there and life seems easier to cope knowing He will never fail me or anyone. :)

God Bless!