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Wednesday
Jan272010
Rae's Writing Vacation: Yesterday's Post
January 27, 2010 
I am in the backpacker’s India of my late teens and early twenties, in a little guest house with plywood walls that are cracked and sagging. I am showering in cold water, standing over the squatty toilet, toweling off carefully.
When I got up this morning I hurried to the shower, hoping to be the first there. I didn’t need to worry. Apparently my fellow backpackers aren’t up at 7:00 for the shower, not having jumped out of bed as soon as they opened their eyes and it was light. I can’t help it! I need to see the world, the sun is up and I am exploring.
I love this. I paid 50 rps extra to have two windows in my room. One is a little one about 18 x 24”, with a view of the roof of the building next door. I’m glad I paid the extra. The air was unbelievably fresh this morning. It is January, and the coolness off the river is delightful.
I had Indian breakfast at a little restaurant around the corner; bhaji parantha. Fried flat bread and a potato curry. Mosquitoes were biting my ankles and so I brought my legs up and crossed them on the seat (this is, after all, India) and later the owner of the establishment came by and rebuked me. “Put your legs down,” he said. “Sit properly.” I was quickly aware that I am no longer the venerated mother of four, queen of my chaotic household, drinking my espresso and cream amid fluttering limbs of people under eight. I am just your ordinary backpacker, a budget traveler, with unkempt hair (dreadlocks) and Nescafe in my cup. I have traded respect for a bit of peace and quiet for a few days. I notice how differently I am treated when I am alone. I don’t have the weight of my family in a country where family is everything.
Reader Comments (17)
Sounds like a nice change for a while. But, sit properly!
What a beautiful post this morning! Something about its simplicity, your description of the respect family brings, and the smell of morning - it woke me well this day! Thank you Rae.
.-= Matthew´s last blog ..http://kneltdown.wordpress.com/2009/12/31/what-can-a-man-give/" rel="nofollow">What Can a Man Give? =-.
Wow. I say that a lot when I am moved by the feeling your post brings to my heart.
Thanks for sharing your adventure.....hope you get lots of writing done! I was amazed that someone would rebuke you because of the way you were sitting...too funny. Was wondering if you'd set out on your journey and was thinking of texting you. So glad to hear that you have and that you're enjoying yourself.
One of my favorite posts. Rae, I'm so glad and grateful that you share your life with us strangers, in addition to your family and friends.
.-= Maya´s last blog ..http://willaworld.blogspot.com/2007/12/december-10-delhi-india.html" rel="nofollow">December 10 - Delhi, India =-.
I hope it's wonderful. I can't wait to read your book!!!
Sounds like a lovely break. :)
.-= carrien (she laughs at the days)´s last blog ..http://shelaughsatthedays.blogspot.com/2010/01/hooray.html" rel="nofollow">Hooray! =-.
Party on dear Rae!
P.S. I saw the "Hair" revival on Broadway last week and thought of you. Dreadlocks used to look "unkempt" to me until I met you.
.-= Eleanor´s last blog ..http://eleanorfromthecommentbox.blogspot.com/2010/01/brighton-beach-babushkas-and-hundred.html" rel="nofollow">Brighton Beach babushkas and a hundred happy hippies =-.
I absolutely love this post. <3
.-= Shannon´s last blog ..http://ebilest.blogspot.com/2010/01/im-currently-on-phone-with-guy-who.html" rel="nofollow"> =-.
So happy for you. I can feel the spaciousness of your time alone. I am having a vicarious solo retreat through you and this blog.
.-= MoroccoMama´s last blog ..http://moroccomama.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/keep-moving/" rel="nofollow">Keep moving =-.
Hi, im Ailin and i really love the way that you and your family live, its very inspiring and i think beautiful.
I found your blog a week ago and i love reading about your life, so thanks for sharing.
yum to Indian food!
I hope that the weight of being alone is more like a yoke shared and less like cement blocks. I've experienced both away from our little ones and in how others respond to me in return. Either way, may your time to breathe, reflect, write continue to be such a boon.
so beautiful. I stayed in that very room last year with renee by the way, and yes, it is certainly wonderful. I hope your week is so great and peaceful and restful and adventurous!
Mm, a writing vacation sounds like such a nice getaway, even without the respect due to busy and talented mamas. The anonymity has to be a *little* fun, though, right? Happy, speedy writing wishes!
.-= Bethany´s last blog ..http://www.coffeestainedclarity.com/2010/01/fireworks/" rel="nofollow">Fireworks =-.
Three cheers for writing vacations, fresh air, peace and quiet.
Enjoy!!
Interesting observation! I notice it here too--even in cosmopolitan Rabat, I am treated differently if I am with my family.
Enjoy your writing vacation! I hope it's restful and productive.
.-= edj´s last blog ..http://planetnomad.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/hammam-days/" rel="nofollow">Hammam Days =-.
you are inspiring