From Brahma to Buddha, Fall 2008

Hi friends and family, it’s currently 12:13 AM India time, which means its 2:43 PM in the US and 6:43 PM in Morocco. India is different in so many ways, whether it be the smells or the anarchy of the road way or simply the 16 different knobs in the bathroom, it is both intimidating and enthralling. I’ll admit some of the first feelings I had after getting off the plane were of home, the familiarity, the comforts, my dog Jessie…at times I found myself questioning my very existence. What was I doing so far from home, why did I ever think I could even make it here for three months, is this actually happening, what the hell was I thinking? Then we got on the “party bus” and were on the way to the hotel with our local contact Ahmit leading the way. The sights of shantytowns next to construction sights, whole families sleeping next to the side of the road, construction everywhere, barbed wire and concrete barricades surround buildings and apartment complexes…to be honest I was waiting for a horde of zombies to come rushing out of the jungle darkness. At least the humidity was familiar. Then we had a sort of informal council, over the course of which my fears and apprehensions melted away as I drank cup after cup of the most delicious chai. But I’m still carrying some emotional baggage; I can’t stop thinking of all the friends I made who are currently in Morocco. It was such a truly Shakespearean twist of fate to create such deep bonds and to be ripped apart just as those bonds were blossoming into beautiful friendships. I’d especially like to thank Tessa for lending me an apple on the train, you have no idea how much better that apple made me feel after that awful bus ride. If only we could’ve stayed together on our trip. I guess that’s it for now.

We’ll meet again, don’t know where don’t know when
-Doug B.