Our flight via Singapore touched down in Mumbai early, before 5 a.m. yesterday. We stepped out of the airport just as the city was waking up to a cacophony of crows and horns. The temperature was already 25 degrees Celsius, and the air thick with humidity, dust, and the distinctive smell of India.
After spending 20 minutes in the line for a pre-paid taxi, we were home before 7 a.m. Breakfast was eaten at Aromas cafe. The grocery shopping was done. Clothes were unpacked. The maid and I had the house cleaned before lunchtime, when the tiffin-wala arrived. After lunch, we sat on our terrace and drank the bottle of champagne that my very thoughtful moustached friend left in the fridge for us, after a short stay at our place while we were away.
It’s all bitter sweet though. Although I can easily slip back into life in Mumbai now, the pain of leaving home and my parents remains as strong as ever. Fun, laughter, togetherness, and childhood memories all mesh together to leave me feeling emotional and unsettled. There are always tears shed in private. I don’t want to be so far away from my parents. But I also recognise that I actually spend more time with them each year now, than what I did when I was living away from home in Melbourne. Months more time. And the quality of time is better.
Although I feel sad, I’ve also returned to Mumbai feeling renewed and inspired to achieve more in India. And I’ve returned with a restored sense of normality. After living for almost six weeks in the absence of attention and curious stares, I’m much less self-conscious about my relationship and myself.
As my husband would say with his favourite new Aussie lingo “no worries”, “it’s alright”.
© 2011, Diary of a White Indian Housewife. All rights reserved. Do not copy and reproduce text or images without permission.
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when I lived in Hawaii we had tons of house lizards. I let 3 chameleons free range. I would get tons of... } – 
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey,
Just stumbled to your blog, and this sounds interesting. Would love to see (and read) about Mumbai and India from your eyes.
Hey Calvin, welcome!
Hope you’ll find it interesting here.
Just a close to perfect Blog which gives multi dimensional view of India and the life of a foreigner in India ….
I m dating a Norwegian girl and I m taking her home this Xmas , while my mom is excited about my interests and courage to step out to break traditions, my dad is still skeptical ….. I m more worried about my girl friend than my parents. India is still not multi cultural , very few foreigners. I m very thankful for all your thoughts and kind words, your valuable experiences shared as a blog . Its motivational and realistic. I hope this would help my girl friend and myself to decide if we wanna live together. I love her so much, however I want her to feel welcome in india.
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If not too personal,I would love to find you in facebook
Welcome back. Never easy leaving family behind. x Marina
Welcome back!
I know how you feel. I spent 6 weeks in the states visiting family and friends. I welcomed coming back here, but still? It’s hard to be so far from those you love.
Glad your home safe and feeling happily settled.
I’m looking forward to reading about your new adventures!
Don’t forget “Bonza!”… maaate!
Is he alreaedy saying ” not bad” when people ask how is he??
Hehe, yes he is!!!
“As my husband would say with his favourite new Aussie lingo “no worries”, “it’s alright”.”
Now, don’t tell me that he is so Australianized that he calls NZ’ers as ‘Sheep Fockers’…bruhahahha
Definitely not yet!
welcome back Sharell…Looks like you returned well before the cyclone as shown in the news here. Its always a messy feeling to stay away from parents although we dont realise this when they are around, pampering us!
Welcome back to your home Sharell,
It seems that you had a wonderful time.
I understand when you say you are spending more time with your parents. When I was living with them, I was mostly out with my friends.
But when I was away for university, I was missing them a lot. It helped me to spend more time with quality.
I hope you’ll get use to your Bombay life as soon as possible.
After my trip it took me 3 weeks!!
Anyway, happy and sunny days.
It is freezing in Turkey!
Regards
senem
Welcome back, Sharell !
For me, it’s alas the opposite : I’m leaving India and returning to Europe tomorrow ! It’s tough as I’ll be away again for many months !
However, I hope to be back very soon … and, who knows, maybe meeting you in Rajasthan next fall !
Love !
Hi Annie, hopefully our paths will cross next time you’re here. It sounds like you’ve had another amazing few months in Rajasthan. You must be very sad to leave. I’ve been enjoying your emails, even though I haven’t had the time to always reply. Save travels back. x
Welcome back, I bet disorganization much more evident for first few days, look fwd to ur new posts
Oh yes. Went to the post office to send some registered mail. Got there just after 2.30 pm (service usually ends at 3pm) only to be told they’ve decided to stop sending registered mail at 2.30pm now, because they haven’t been getting enough time to have their lunch!!
the good part about coming to india is that we’ll get more posts on this site now. can’t think of anything else other than that
Welcome home Sharell! I can totally relate to leaving your parents! I once lived in California and my family lived in New England (about 3 thousand miles)….it seemed like another country!!!! It must be even harder on them to see their precious daughter depart with her husband! I also understand the feeling of being inspired when you return!!!! Any chance of a visit to the US in your plans??? You’re welcome here! CHEERS! Michele xo
Hi Michele, maybe I’ll come to the US to publicise my book when it’s released there. Gotta think big!
I’d like to visit the US again, and my brother in law and sister in law are living there now so another reason go.
Hi Sharell,
Just so you don’t feel to bad, the humidity in the outer-eastern suburbs of Melbourne where I am is currently 97% according to the weather bureau!
Grammar note: “…spend more time with them each year now, than what I did when I was living away…”. The “what” in this sentence is redundant, should be “…than I did when I was living away…”
Kind regards,
Kate
Thanks Kate!
Gosh, it’s sounds like I’m much better off in the Mumbai winter and got out just in time! What is going on with the extreme weather in Australia? Not good!
Welcome back to the chaos and charm of Mumbai…
My Yatra Diary…
What do Indians say in lieu of “its alright”?
Chaltha Hey!
Thik hai? (Is fine). They say that a lot…
No worries hey!
You have such strength, I admire it so much.
I hope I can reach that emotional strength that you have. It really does take a strong minded and big hearted person to achieve what you have.
Happy you enjoyed the bubbles :{D
“Our flight via Singapore touched down in Mumbai early, before 5 a.m. yesterday. We stepped out of the airport just as the city was waking up to a cacophony of crows and horns. The temperature was already 25 degrees Celsius, and the air thick with humidity, dust, and the distinctive smell of India”
God I miss it. It Hurts.
And a touch of insanity perhaps!
I want more bubbles!!!!
I like this entry very much. Acknowledging the past, dealing with the present moment AND full of hope and good intention for the future. Great start to a year that looks to hold a lot of promise – all the best to you both.
Thanks so much!
This year is shaping up to be a life changing one!
In a few hrs I am flying from Dallas to Chennai via Heathrow. I’ll be traveling to Hyderabad and Bangalore during my 6 weeks stay. But Mumbai is not in my itinerary!
Well that’s just ….. wrong.
How remiss of you!! 
I am here in India, totally Jet lagged and groggy.
Yeah..I wish I could make a trip to Mumbai to give y’all grief in Person! Comments on blogs just don’t cut it.
Yeah!.. Actual time on my watch and the time stamp on my post actually matches! Cool!
Welcome to the desh! I wonder if you’re actually as formidable in real life?
Oh, I do hope you get to come to the U.S. on your book tour — I’d love to meet you in person. Your blog has really inspired me to reconnect with my Indian roots (from being born there and spending my first four years in Tamil Nadu), and I do appreciate that. And it sounds like your husband and Australian family now get along famously, which is wonderful for everybody. I gather that even your father recognizes how happy his daughter is, which is always a difficult thing for fathers, I think!
Hi,
Love your site. It provides many insights into things I should know!
I currently live in Sydney with my Indian Boyfriend who has resided in Sydney for the last 6 years. (I am a kiwi) In April we are going back to India to meet his parents….all very exciting!
Hi Hetty, welcome! I really hope the meeting goes well for you. Keep in touch.
Oh, the India smell, I gues it is the best part. I miss it soooooo much. The masala smell seems to be everywhere. I totaly love it. So please, enjoy it for me!
I will. I love it too. It’s ancient and exotic. 8)
@Daniela
If masala stuff gets you high, buy some ‘Masala Incense Sticks’!
If they don’t exist, just get some barbecue or any other sticks, dip ‘em in some curry, light ‘em and sniff away! 