I deeply apologize for what I’m about to write and I also apologize to all the people I might offend by this post. Don’t take it personally, it’s just a grumpy old Finn expressing her deepest frustrations. :)
One of my friends asked me when I returned from a trip “how was you trip, and don’t say it was fantastic, cause everything in India can’t be wonderful”. So here we go, here is my top 10 of things that makes me shiver with frustration. Enjoy!
10. Time.
The countdown starts with time. As some of you dear readers might be aware of, I’m usually late. In India, however, I’m never late! :) Nonetheless, some things just take sooo much time here. You get a form to fill out the first day, only to find out the next day you have another form to fill out. Seriously, couldn’t you just give me all the 4 forms at once? Finnish crave for efficiency, take a step back, you are not needed here! Oh, one more thing; please, just once. Just one lecture. Once. On time. Is that really too much to ask?
9. Wi-Fi.
Moving on to number nine, and I know I probably sound like a bit of a nerd right now, but I like my connections quick. Now trust me, I would be heart broken if I had no Wi-Fi at all at school, so really I shouldn’t be complaining, but as this is a post of all the things that bother me, I’ll let this one slide.
8. Being sick.
I know I can’t really blame India, because let's face it, it’s not really India’s fault that my delicate European stomach can’t take, well, whatever it is that it can’t take. So I’m sorry India for blaming you, but yet again, I’ll let this one slide.
7. Trash.
Now we’re getting more serious, number seven on my list is dedicated to trash. I keep walking with trash in my hand or in my bag because I don’t want to through it on the side of the road like most of the population does. The worst is when you see trash were it really doesn’t belong, like in the garden of a palace or in a national park. It really hurts my eyes when I see people throwing rubbish everywhere, and I’m not even all that environmentally conscious!
6. Traffic.
I know I’ve told you a lot about the traffic, but as much as it’s an aspect I love about India, it can also make my teeth grind. Especially the honking… Please, just stop. The car in front of you can’t move because there is a bus sideways on the street. You can see the bus, I can see the bus, we can all see the bus. So why do you honk? Do you think the bus will magically disappear? Mostly it’s entertaining to see how crazy things can get, but when you’re stuck in traffic, tired and in a hurry, you just wish it could be a little smoother and that everybody would leave the goddamn horn alone.
5. Scheduling.
Or the lack of it. Classes change time, date and place pretty much every day. It’s impossible to plan anything long-term, as you never know what will happen the next week or even the next day. To be frank, you can't be sure what will happen the same day or even the next hour. Back home I would have two months of classes planned out a month in advance and if one or two classes would shift, I’d feel like it’s impossible to plan when things keep changing all the time. Imagine how I feel here. :) On the other hand, I’m not trying to fit in three jobs in between classes, so the damage done is limited. But still, I’m almost surprised when I walk in to a class and I’m actually in the right place at the right time. Usually I’m just utterly lost.
4. Cheating.
And no, I’m not talking about cheating on your better half, but cheating in school. Naturally, everyone doesn’t do it and really, why should it even bother me? I guess it’s the Finnish moral in me that’s acting out and it actually bothers me a lot. I might also just be a bit strange…
Well strange or not, moving on to the top three!
3. Stares.
Imagine you’re a bunny. You know, one of those furry cute white ones. Then imagine you’re put in a cage with tigers. You’ll feel that you’re the odd one out, like everyone is looking at you. Most probably it will make you feel somewhat uncomfortable. Well, that’s how I feel every time I step outside the door. It’s not like I feel like the people on the streets of Delhi are gonna eat me for supper, but I feel I’m the odd one out. When you walk past a crowd and all of a sudden the whole crowd goes quite you kind of sense why and feel the stares burning. Very uncomfortable. Or when people ask if they can have their picture taken with me. Can you guess what it makes me feel? Yes, 10 points for you, dear reader, you are the lucky winner today. Uncomfortable is the correct answer! It also makes me wonder why the world anyone would want to have a picture of me…
2. Standing in line.
This is a close call, but yes, standing in line only makes number two today. I believe Indians must be the worst in the world at queuing. Or then Finns are just the best. There isn’t really even a line. Anywhere you’d expect one, there is none. Just people randomly pushing their way to the counter or wherever you’re trying to get. It totally goes against all that my mother has taught me but, yes, I have learned to randomly push my way through. I’m not very god at it though. Yet. Give me one more month and I’ll be a pro!
But now, can I have your undivided attention. We have reached the lucky number one…
1. Pollution.
Yes, the simplest of things. Clean, breathable pine smelling air. Ok, that pine smelling is a bit over the top, but you get the point. Two days in Delhi and I promise you’ll feel like someone put bag of dust in your chest. This is the only thing on this list that can’t make me smile even once. It is simply just annoying. So congratulations Pollution, you are the all time champion!
And that's it. 10 things. So thank you for tuning in with me today and have a great day, as I'm sure you will. After all, this is the day we have all been waiting for; I'm finally going to Mumbai! :)
