The Indian in America...

This posted is dedicated to those readers, who have tried their best in encouraging me to start writing all over again. This absence from blogging is both inexplicable and inexcusable.

The author, as in the Indian in America, turned five, a few days ago. Five years back, living on American soil, for such an extended period of time, definitely seemed impossible, if not insane. Ten years back, US was all about the rich, the developed nation, and the megalomaniacs. Fifteen years back, US was all about the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Alaska, Denali, Rocky mountains, Yellowstone, Pueblo Indian civilization, New York, San Francisco, Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate, Chicago, Wodehousian characters in America, etc.

Anyway, over these five years, one thing is utmost certain. Never ever rely on the judgment of your unjustified assumptions, ideas and opinions. Lack of culture, heritage, spiritualism, family values, "neighbourliness", etc. are some of the oft mentioned critiques at the US. US is definitely the land of the immigrants, and, is conspicuously lacking in any of those ancient monuments. History in the US is a mere 300 years old. But then, the presence of the national parks, and the care/maintenance towards them, with the sincere wish, of making them a legacy for the future generations to come, is worth, appreciation.

The culture in the US mostly revolves around the natural topography of the land, the musical history over this century, sport, cinema, entertainment, etc. Los Angeles, the Hollywood capital, has a distinct culture of its own. Likewise, the small and beautiful beach towns of the Orange County. Austin, the blue dot in the red lone star state, has a fairly off-beat culture in terms of music, cuisine, arts, etc., with Lance Armstrong, being a happening phenomenon. New Orleans is all about jazz, and Miami is all about reggae, dancing, and the likes. Broadway in New York is about theater and musicals, and Minneapolis is all for the lakes and related activities. Nothing really wrong.

My experiences with Team in Training, for almost a year, in Orange County, CA, was so different. That to me is what US is, and what Americans are and can be. Not necessarily rich, they are normal people, for whom family means a lot. Surprisingly, quite different from those notions we have about the lack of family values in the West. (Of course, the divorce rates can get high; and the probability of a man or a woman, under 18, being a virgin, be almost zero.) Setting aside the side note, weekends are meant for family. Vacations to national parks revolve around camping, hiking, biking, fishing, etc. with family.

Further, this lack of "neighbourliness", stems from the fact, that people keep to themselves. If you need help, and you ask for it, you normally get it. It is not that people are unfriendly, (of course, there are the rednecks!). People are very respectful of you, and respect that space around you. Also, a perfect stranger, asks you, as to how your day is going, and further, wishes that you a great day! Often, it is a mere greeting scenario. Then, there is this extreme case of thanking people, to the point that, it seems like a mere formality. All in all, surprising behaviors.

The true purpose of this post is to not justify the American way of life. It is more so, to amaze myself and see, as to how unjustified, assumptions/notions can become. Further, no matter where we live, it is always good to take the positives, and try incorporating it into our way of life. The negatives are always there, everywhere. After all, isn't life all about opposites?