India and Romania

What these two countries might have in common?
Nothing much at first glance...

Thats only until the courtain is lifted and there, on the scene you see 2 actors: him and her.
She is Romanian, He is Indian.
Their story started in Paris, France few years back.
At that time they never thought cultural differences might have Yell! Give Birth to Questions, Doubts, Re-shaped Identities...

For me, India is a Fascinating place...
Starting with my first hindi movies when i was a little kid,
with my first tears after seeing "My friends, The Elephants", sarees, bangles, shy modest girls, continuing with dreams about Maitreyi, Romanian Mircea Eliade's Love Story during his stay in India, during Highschool, history lessons about the caste system, and later on,
as young adult...
with pictures of poor people in India, female infanticide in India and other arabian countries, honour crimes, male dominated society, housewives, arranged marriages...untouchables... 60% Poor Rural Population, 200Millions middle class, Mumbai slums, Mumbai Financial Hub, Young Bright Engineers, BPO/Call Centers, Corrupted Politicians and Businessmen... Burning of Bodies in front of entire family instead of Burials...
till my first visit to the Indian Embassy,
my first interaction with real indians...
their social status driven mindset...First Question: "what do you do"
their shyness and loyalty...After tying the Knot the two partners are together for the next 7 lives.. No Divorce allowed...
their open heart...
their "obsession" for parents, family and obeying to social norms

......
These things came into my mind gradually and modified my perceptions, my ideas, my power of understanding...my in/tollerance....

.....
All my intercultural studies in college still dont give me enough power when it comes to really, plainly challenging my own beliefs... my sense of normality... my most basic values...

:)

So, often I struggle, I play fights within my mind...I ask people...I want reasons...I need to understand...so I could escape the pain...this harsh process of NOT understading why....

Eventually, after the dilemma gets consumed I find my peace... but something in me changed... I became less Romanian and More Indian... I interiorized something from "that normality"...

Now... everytime my ears reach sounds like: India, Indians, Hindi, my heart starts beating Faster, I feel adrenaline being released into my blood... Strange Happiness and Peace comes into my Mind... a strange feeling like being at Home...

Yes I pay my respects to this Fantastic and Magical Land...to its Incredible People and Ravishing Diversity...

These thoughts are written at a time when I havent reached India yet...