Five Things I Will Miss About India

1) The life.
Everyday, I get to read two newspapers, exercise, drink my morning coffee peacefully (and slowly), read a book, take great pictures, play with cute cute cute kids, brag about the school, email my friends, eat amazing food - should I stop? Are you hating your cubicle yet? Not as much I am hating the thought of the law library. I do have to return to my American life, but my life here in India has been incredible. With so much time to do all the things that everyone wishes they could do more of, you can see why I will miss the life here. At least I know where my next vacation should be to - and it's much cheaper than the Caribbean!

2) Rainbows.
And magic unicorns. Just kidding, but seriously...rainbows. Every time it rains here a huge rainbow comes out across the sky. It goes in a full arc, all the way to the ground on either side. I have seen about 10 in three months and they really are beautiful. I may sound a little bit fruity on this one, but I actually will miss the rainbows. *Note: any of you who may be envisioning me dressed as a leprechaun dancing around the rainbow, stop. I know who you are.

3) Walking.
Now I sound like a fruity hippie. Next I'll say my daily yoga sessions. I really do love walking here, especially now that the villagers are used to me and don't screech and jump up and down when I come through. I love the cute pregnant lady who gives me the results of her check ups; the crowd of teenagers who invite me to play cricket (and I do. I'll tell you this much for free: I am a sharp batsman.); the spectacular sunsets I see in the mountains; the goat/cow/donkey/buffalo herders who still look at me in total disbelief but always clear a path through their livestock so I can walk by; the cute kids who wave goodbye until I am out of sight (we wave for about 2 miles, everyday). I will miss running into Tata on the road when he walks home from school: it is so fun to pretend like I know what he is talking about. Walking here is so beautiful, and social, and I love it.

4) Inspiration.
Good lord, I am the fruity hippie at spiritual enlightening camp. And not that I don't find inspiration at home. But for those of you who don't know me well, here's a little secret: I am a terrible writer. I can talk an Arab into buying a bucket of sand, but forever and always, I am not a good writer. That has changed a little bit since I've been here, because now there are things/people/places that I want to write about, in such a way that shows everyone what I'm seeing. Just being in India has been enough of an inspiration, and it has helped to be in the middle of an amazing program full of inspiring teachers, students, experiences and moments. I could write a page a day about my kids, who amaze me so much in how alike they are to every six and seven year old in the world. Same with the teachers, who truly are the most hardworking people in their family, always overtaxed by their own burdens yet so cheerful and good to their students. My inspiration has come from wanting to share their personalities and stories with everyone. I have been so lucky to see this country from a semi-tourist perspective, and I ultimately have been afforded two views; views of poverty, politics, human rights, moral policing, etc., which have also inspired me. A great way to find out I actually can write. But let's not kid ourselves, I will still get a C- on my next Post-WWII Reconstruction Term Paper.

5) The kids.
How much will I miss being called Zebrakka? (I think they might really believe my name has been changed.) How much will I miss being given a small flower brought from home by an even smaller boy? How many mornings will I miss sitting on my front porch drinking coffee with 18 little friends to talk to? Shaking hands with each child before they board the bus? Getting my hair braided during break time? Having the "responsibility talk" with the older kids? More than words can say.

**Sorry if you are a fruity hippie who goes to spiritual enlightening camp. No deliberate offense.