Over the last few years of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a lot of talk of coming to terms with a “new normal”. Life changed as we knew it and we had to adapt to big changes very quickly.
It has now been a few weeks since we got back from India and I have found myself thinking, again, about what constitutes “normal.” It is very easy to assume that the way that you usually live day to day is normal but being in a country so different was a strong reminder that normal is subjective and it can change overnight or with one plane flight.
When we entered India, we adapted to a new way of life. There were aspects that I struggled to adapt to, like the climate, language barriers and having a packed routine everyday. But I developed a deep appreciation for so many aspects of this new normal. I loved that there was always something happening; there were so many festivals and events and, in general, the streets were always busy. I loved seeing rangoli on the ground in the mornings, I loved having chai everywhere we went and I loved the hospitality of the Indian people. Within each city, we met so many different people living such different lives.
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We were told coming back to New Zealand that there would be a “reverse culture shock” or “re-adjustment period”. I definitely felt disorientated coming back and I immediately noticed how quiet it was. I missed the people I had met on the trip and the incredible places we visited. But I also found myself coming back to New Zealand with a new appreciation for things I took for granted – being able to drink tap water, the rolling hills and my friends and family.
In summary, one of the most important things I gained from this trip was perspective – the reminder that normal life is different for everyone and that my lifestyle is just one of many ways of doing life. I came back from India a lot more open-minded but also self-aware and grateful for what I have.
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