Going Down Memory Lane- Literally

Walking down the road everyday, the same road I used to walk with my mom at the age of 5 and 6. The very same path from our neighborhood to my grandma's neighborhood. As I was talking to my mom on the phone while walking home today, I was reminded of how as a little kid, I used to easily was 2 km to my grandparents' home. My grandparents are no more, but I revisited their neighbors today. It was nice seeing them all again! The front porch seemed so barren at my grandparents' old house. Someone else lives there, but I wish we had never sold that home. I wish that front porch was still as lively as it was 5 yrs ago when we all used to sit and chat at night while the kids played in the neighborhood, while we peeled vegetables, while I drew scenery, and while I got to know the society. That house holds so many memories, yet now, it belongs to someone else. It is not the same anymore, and I have not even stepped a foot inside it.

Anyway, it is all a matter of perspective. Yesterday, I went to eat pani puri at a lahri, and I did not get sick! I used to eat there all the time when I lived in India. My family and I used to stop by at those lahris all the time when we lived here. I am accustomed to the life here. Walking among the chaotic disorganized traffic, crossing those roads with no cross walks and only screaming honks, and the smells and trash. I just tie a oodhni (veil) around my face as needed. I am used to it though. I love it-it is all the essence of being in India. Catching a chagda with 10-12 people stuffed in it. Today's ride back home was brilliant-the chagda driver was playing old Hindi songs! I love it when the chagda driver plays music-especially Hindi songs-old hindi songs! It was memorable! but then my stop came and I got off!

I am not even that hungry as family friends in the society fed me snacks. Anyway, I don't like eating this late. It is 9pm, but most people here eat this late! Talk about acidity! I like walking-I walk whenever I can. In USA right now, it is probably too cold to walk outside. I can walk here for kilometers at a time and not get tired in the sun. Life is all about adjusting. Make the best of every situation.