FULL CIRCLE
- Hannah McDonald
- Feb 16, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 10, 2022
Our first day in Bangalore, we were at Girijamba Temple, which is found just below Nandi Hill. Today, we concluded our time in Bangalore by actually going to the top of Nandi Hill, making a full circle of our time in Bangalore.
Part One: Nandi Hill
Part Two: Communication
Part Three: Thank You
Part One
For the last adventure of the trip, the four of us and Rakesh and Seema headed out of the city and into the greenery. It was about a two hour drive, during which the six of us were packed in with all of the luggage. As the city faded, green open space began to flash by. The drive up Nandi Hill is relatively windy, but the hillside is covered in beautiful Eucalyptus trees. At the top, we jumped out and joined the monkeys. There were some paths but mainly off-roading. We climbed through the forest, walked across vast rock surfaces, explored what looks like a large play set but really is nothing of the sort, and took in the gorgeous view. You could hardly see the city way out there, as it was hidden in smog. Walking along, I had my water bottle dangling, and soon enough a monkey started stalking me. I was almost convinced that he was going to jump up on me. It was a standoff until I realized what he was after. I did not want to be the man from Elephanta island. Another monkey had found a pack of cookies, popped them open, and was breaking pieces off to eat. Monkeys seem to be quite smart and are very fun to watch.
Part Two
“Would you like some more salad?” “I’m good, thank you.” In the United States this is a common phrase and a common way to respond “no, thank you.” However, it came into light today that this common, American phrase has caused a lot of confusion this past week. The four of us would commonly respond “I’m good” or “I’m okay” when Prerna’s family asked if we wanted more food, but then we would end up getting more food spooned onto our plates. As we discovered today, whenever we said “I’m good,” it was interpreted as “it is good, more please.” The Indian culture does not just want you to be good but, rather, excellent. Therefore, when you say “I’m good,” Indians work to make you very good, and then very very good. To do this, they dish you more food. Due to this miscommunication, the four of us ended up eating quite a lot this trip. But, after Prerna enlightened her parents on the American terminology, it was brought up today, and the six of us just started cracking up about it. If you think about it, it makes sense: “I’m good” is a response to “How are you?” not “Do you want more?” Now with the root of the miscommunication discovered, nobody knew what to say or what anything meant because we were all so confused. At lunch, Rakesh kindly ordered us fruit for dessert. After we finished the plates, he asked if I wanted more. Having to pause and think about what to say in order to prevent miscommunication, we ended up with more. It all has been turned into the joke of the trip and a story that explains many encounters. This goes to show cultural language differences and the random phrases we put meaning to within our own cultures. What a great way to end our eye opening, perspective changing, and cultural understanding trip.
Part Three
Thank you to all of you for joining us on our trip! I love sharing our adventures and reading your comments. I also want to give a huge thank you to Prerna and her family. Thanks to their remarkable insight and help, we have had an unforgettable trip.
**We are all home safe, and Millie could not be happier.**
Comments