60. Report - Old men & China

 

It's always nice to pass a tea stand in a village or in front of a temple and see men sitting there.

At first, many look indifferent. But someone turns his wrist and signals that he wants to be enlightened because a stranger in Indian clothes is walking through their village.

Most are satisfied when they know where I come from and that I am on my way to Rajasthan as a pilgrim. But my questions about family in Marathi are starting to work.

Many of the elders send out a warm welcome after this exchange. No matter what else is said or understood, there is a heartfelt, beautiful friendliness to be felt.

That's the nice part. But there is also a strange-funny one:

Already in the southern states I was surprised about a very common misunderstanding. When asked about my origins, young and old understand frequently CHINA but not GERMANY.

How is that phonetically possible: there's actually only one sound that sounds the same in the two country names (in English: "Chi..." & "Ger...). Hmm. But even more curious: Once in a village, I was first discovered by a child who quickly ran into the house with a frightened expression and announced the news. The father of the house then explained that the child in the house had shouted loudly that a Chinese had come.

 

When the monsoon is over (probably mid to late September), I would like to have one of the old people tie me a proper turban to protect me from the sun.