Two weeks ago, the wheels of a Cathay Pacific jet bounced onto the New Delhi runway and I stepped into the cool evening air. Every morning since, I have woken to India as my new teacher. Sometimes it’s a lesson in stretching the boundaries of my comfort zone, as my Cross-Cultural Solutions placement at Mother Teresa’s continues to teach me. Or, it’s a reminder to C.T.F.O and enjoy the ride while our driver weaves in and out of traffic, like a Tetris player jockeying for the perfect slot to wedge us between open trucks ferrying hollow-cheeked men and rickshaws jammed with 8-10 locals clad in jewel toned saris. And sometimes, it’s as simple as learning to appreciate the beauty of ornate Temples & Tombs set against a backdrop of garbage and grime.

Under a tight canopy of smog, I have seen spindly legged children squat to relieve themselves in the streets while executives in 3-piece suits cruise past in the latest Mercedes or BMW. I have heard a cacophony of horns interspersed with the Muslim morning call to prayer. I have learned about Dharma & Kharma and gained a new appreciation for the Hindu teachings of searching for your Duty and Purpose in Life and using that path to serve others, with no attachment to receiving anything in return. I have smelled the putrid odor of sewage mingled with the fragrant scent of masala and chai and I have strolled through a park and watched the early morning sun illuminate piles of garbage and leaves caked with thick layers of dust.

With a population of 1.3B, India is a thriving kaleidoscope of culture, language, and religion and to say I’ve experienced India would be like saying I have experienced the United States after a tour of one neighbourhood in New York City. It would take much longer 3 weeks to appreciate India in all of her wonder and complexity and one day, I hope I will have an opportunity to do just that.

But for now, as you sip your morning coffee, afternoon chai, or evening glass of wine (depending on your time zone), why don’t you take a ride with me through the streets of New Delhi?