Lily

One of the things that has been a great struggle for me here in India is that I constantly feel like a spectacle. Since the moment I arrived, random people have been walking up to me to ask my name, where I'm from, what I'm doing here, and on and on and on. Often, I've thought, "Why can't they just leave me alone?"

But recently my attitude has changed a bit. It's important to view the curiosity of others not as something that is intruding on my personal space, but as something that is welcoming me into their personal space. It's a way to make friends.

This morning I met Lily. She was walking to the hospital (very near the college) where she works. I was walking to Achen's and so had to cross the street. As I dodged the buses, cars, and rickshaws, I noticed that she was waiting for me. I smiled and wished her a good morning, and then the relay of questions started. What is my name? Where am I from? What am I doing? I answered the way I always do, but the feeling was different. Here was a woman, not invading my privacy, but simply trying to get to know me - to be my friend.

When we got to the hospital, I told her how glad I was to meet her. She touched my shoulder lightly and told me she hoped we would meet again. I hope so too.