Personal Odyssey

Personal Odyssey

My Bitter-Sweet Reunion With India

The stars. The first things that I noticed were missing were the stars. Thousands of ornate, glittering gems cast into obscurity by the gigantic mass of dust that hung like a dead animal over the night sky. My watering eyes could just make out the faint outline of a neon sign atop a building jutting out behind the highways. Upon those roads, congested piles of cars and trucks fought for dominance over lanes as the arising sound of argument consumed the air. People gleaming in sweat cast dirty looks around them while lugging around bulging suitcases. Those fortunate enough to have punctual rides hurried to momentarily escape the madness that grew around them, and the unlucky ones wearily wiped their brows in anticipation. I took reluctant steps forward, leaving faint traces in the thin layer of dust that seemed to cover every inch of my surroundings. A few feet away my parents waited for a taxi and engaged in light conversation, which was occasionally punctuated by violent bouts of coughing due to the polluted atmosphere. My brother sat on our luggage, still not having comprehended where we were. I took a deep breath and felt my lungs turn to dust as they struggled for the pure air they were so accustomed to. I sneezed. My father looked up, smiled, and walked over to put his hand on my shoulder. “Welcome to India, bud,” he said with a smile that revealed what sort of a welcome it was. “Thanks,” I whispered quietly as our taxi rolled up in fits of honks and clouds of smoke.