My Trip to India

In Katherine Boo’s “Opening Night: The scene from the airport slums,” we see the continual contrast in Mumbai between the extremely poor and the rich. She describes the effects of extreme poverty. The juxtapositions highlight the social disruption, economic disadvantages can cause. We also learn that movie’s depiction of slums is glamorized and unrealistic. Most shocking the author focuses on several characters, mostly young people (like Sunil), and describes the environment they live in. We see the overwhelming effects of extreme poverty in every aspect of their lives and realize they will not be able to escape and rise out of the slums. The lack of education and jobs are preventing these people from progressing. We realize how the rich

Beth was an interesting woman to say the least. She was very talkative and had an eccentric personality. She might have been a smidge under the influence on this very normal afternoon but she was still a nice and fun person to talk to. Ashley and Kevin and I got to know her and all about her family all too well sitting at the bar at TGI Friday’s.

In the months, weeks, and eventually days leading up to my flight to Germany the panic was gnawing away at me. Despite the fact that this wasn’t the first time I was venturing out without my parents or even my first time on a plane, it was my first time for a myriad of other experiences in my life. My first international adventure, my first time living with a family that wasn’t my own, and my first time being surrounded by people speaking a different language; all of which began with a simple decision to cross the threshold between the jet bridge and the plane.

My first trip to Disney World, now that, that was a memorable trip. That trip was one of the most magical and happiest memories of my life. It was back in 2008, I had just turned 6 years old a few months before we left to go there. It was summertime, and the weather was perfect. I remember being so bored on the way there because I am an only child so I didn’t have anyone to entertain me besides myself. My mom’s side of the family went on this trip with us, and at the time I was the only grandkid, and the only kid at all. So once we finally were almost there I remember passing the big ‘Welcome to Disney World” sign and being so excited I peed my pants--my mom was pretty mad, but my dad thought it was kinda funny so I didn’t get in too much trouble.

I remember the first time I flew in an airplane. My eight-year-old self looked out the window of the terminal I was taking off from, astounded by the large size of the vehicle. Worried, I thought to myself how could something that big fly with so many people? Yet, as the plane took off my worries became excitement. Not only was this my first flight, this was the event that marked the start of my new life, my takeoff from Vietnam to America.

Poverty and oppression is a serious condition that is prevalent even in today’s modern society. Women and children are exposed to poverty and subjected to a life of injustice. One of the countries where such problems still occur is in India. Despite the country’s modernization, there lies an undercity where the disparity of wealth is transparent. These social problems are thoroughly described in movies and literature such as Slumdog Millionaire and Behind the Beautiful Forevers. In the book Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Catherine Boo, the author describes slum life for a set of individuals and the hardship that their social conditions confined them to. Another movie that gave insight to slum life in India is Slumdog Millionaire

Imperialism swept across the world following the Industrial Revolution as trade opened up transcontinentally and capitalism became the driving economy of Europe. England expanded its influence to Africa as did Belgium and France. A scramble for Africa occurred, with England fighting for dominance over China as well. As invasions and wars began in Africa, China dealt with the British opium trade and its effect on the Chinese people. Imperialism had varying effects on these different countries and continents. In Egypt and the Indian government, it evoked feelings of nationalism in the people for their native land. Resistance was another reaction from most countries as anger towards the Western powers built in the citizens of the imperialist states. Conversely, some people and governments saw opportunity in a relationship with England and attempted to take advantage of what England could offer their homelands.

It was April 3, 2015. While the wind danced around picking few leaves here and there along with itself, my spirit on the other hand, marked with unease and nervousness stood in stark contrast. It was time to board the airplane for United States of America; it was time to leave India, my birthplace as well as my home for 14 years. With hopes of achieving the American Dream, my family and I would board the airplane, oblivious to the opportunities as well as hardships and sacrifices which would follow. Although the journey might seem as a physical one - of around 15 hours, it was a moral journey of understanding new cultures, new ideas, new struggles.Nevertheless, it was a journey to understand the true beauty of the world.

The airport in Los Angeles was crawling with travelers, dragging their luggage and scurrying across the terminals like ants in a massive nest. Jackson, my nephew, had no idea that he was meeting in Los Angeles; he thought we would be meeting in Seattle, just as we usually did. I wondered if he would notice the palm trees and the stifling heat in the middle of December and know immediately. With these thoughts wandering my head, I sat impatiently by the terminal where his plane was supposed to land.

We had lost our sense of generosity and we were filled with bitterness and anger. But there was still a job that needed to be done so we couldn’t let our emotions get the best of us. Our next and final home was on Holton Street. As the minutes passed on our way to the next home I hoped that this experience would be different. As we neared our destinations the quality of the homes was deteriorating. Shoes hanging on power lines (usually a sign pf gang presence or drug trading), trash all over the sidewalks, and sadly seeing a family of 3 in nothing but T-Shirt and shorts sitting outside on a bench in below freezing temperature. Seeing all these I had a feeling that the area we were entering wasn’t only poor, but unsafe. We arrived to the home and knocked on the door. A boy no older than 14 answered the door and an enormous grin appeared on his face. Boom. This is exactly the type of reaction we loved. This home was in abysmal condition. There were holes in the wall. floorboards were creaking at every step, and there were cobwebs seemingly in every corner of the kitchen. As we placed the food on the counter we noticed that the mother was watching us from the living room. She came out to meet us and to our shock, she was in a wheelchair. “My God mam, are you okay? How did this happen?” said amo. In a very heavy English accent she replied, “Car accident.” In the corner of my eye I also spotted two toddlers sitting in a crib. How is this woman

The trend of immigration brings out the issue of cultural identity. The controversy concerning tradition and cultural expectation is becoming increasingly fierce. Is it necessary to change one’s own cultural identity in order to fit the working environment and blend into the new society? How do people’s intrinsic cultural identities affect their new lives? Should the way of preserving cultural tradition be altered? How individuals’ cultural expectation influence their attitudes of redefining traditions? Will redefining tradition result in the loss of the value of the original culture? Andrew Marantz in his article, “My Summer at an Indian Call Center,” recounts his experience taking culture training that he was required to attend in order to work at one of the many call centers in India, discussing the reasons and the consequences of altering one’s own cultural identity. Meanwhile, Julia Alvarez uses the example of Quinceanera, a female coming-of-age tradition known among Hispanic communities, talks about the issue of redefining original tradition and cultural identity. In her article, “Selections from Once Upon a Quinceanera”, she touches on various aspects of Quinceanera, pointing out its pros and cons, extending the meaning of preserving cultures and redefining traditions. Changing cultural habits for certain purposes and redefining cultural traditions bring about the dilemma of cultural identifying. Although cultural assimilation is emerging in the trend of immigrants,

Once a week the children watched as the health clinic gives out condoms and clean needles in the neighborhood park that was once pretty and dedicated to the children. The local stench that lingered throughout the air came from the waste incinerator which burned amputated body parts. Children and parents are drying from AIDS and cant even go to the local hospital because they're over crowded, unclean and short of help. A mother told of story of how rats bit her baby at night. These people that surround the streets are living each day as if it were their last, making death an option. The people here are treated different, unequal and nasty compared to the wealthy white race only miles away.

The day had started out perfectly: all the preparations were finally finished! Yet, my focus was not directed towards my fumbling relatives--all I had wanted to do was play. I wanted to have some good memories to keep me company during the twenty hour flight that would follow the night’s festivities. I was leaving for the U.S., and even though that was something to be excited about, there was a part of me that didn’t want to leave. I loved everything about India.

Nervousness and uncertainty entered my mind while sitting in Newark Airport, I reflected on how this experience would impact my life, as I entered the aircraft I felt tenser and very excited at the same time. It was time for takeoff, I read a book for 1 hour, wrote down things I wanted to see, and then feel asleep until we landed. When I came through Customs in Arlanda Airport I was greeted by my mom’s uncle Robel and two of my cousins, I was surprised how fluent they all were in English.

An intense portrayal of life at the extremes, Born into Brothels is a movie that challenges our perception of human resilience. The documentary takes place in Calcutta, India, home to one of the oldest populations and religious doctrines in the world. India is a country with an extraordinary history, yet suffers from massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extreme poverty, and religious strife. (https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html) Calcutta is the second largest city in India and one of the largest in the world, the square mileage of its metropolitan area measured at 228.5 sq mi. Within this unforgiving landscape is the red light district, a city within a city, known to openly display many of society's