A Five-Star Rejuvenation of the Spirit

Summary: A weekend at the Taj Hotel, courtesy of Anna and Elizabeth’s friend, was critical in rejuvenating my spirit, which had been suffering greatly as of late.

Elizabeth and Anna have been plagued with illness lately, and have tried to identify the source of their ailment through a series of tests and examinations, culminating with a particularly harrowing experience with the “woman doctor.” A good friend of theirs, an ex-DSH employee who has been to Lucknow, naturally understood their plight and arranged for them a mini-vacation at the Taj, the neighborhood 5-star hotel. (And when I say neighborhood, I mean it in a literal sense. The Taj is about half a mile from their house.) Lucky me, I get to tag along for the ride.

Unlike the girls, I haven’t been physically sick (unless you count the unnatural hair loss currently occurring), but I have been emotionally on edge and perpetually irritated by everything associated with a foreigner’s experience in Lucknow. It took all of my self-restraint to not explode at every man who stared at me, every autorickshaw wallah who tried to overcharge me, every person who tried to tell me what to do, etc.

Of course, this frustration had nothing to do with India being different, and everything to do with me reacting differently. One could say that this was the inevitable eruption of a volcano has been bubbling with stress and emotional suppression over the past 4+ months.

The weekend at the Taj rejuvenated my spirit in ways I didn’t even know were possible. I was unaware of how grumpy I had become until I felt the frustration wash away with every dip in the clear pool (which was, by the way, noticeably devoid of people). Now, I’m not normally a poolside lounger; I’d much rather prefer to do something or go somewhere. But that was also before I experienced the healing properties of Vitamin D, cool pool water, clean sheets, a good shower, and central AC. Freedom from stares and touts probably didn’t hurt either, as we stayed within the confines of the hotel throughout the weekend.

After a brief period of withdrawal from the serenity of the weekend, I have rediscovered the joy, appreciation, and humor of my former self. And, after some reflection, I’ve come to realize that our (Anna’s, Elizabeth’s, and my) frequent mocking of the absurdity that is India had a negative undertone that began to permeate my entire being.

Perhaps truly accepting another culture and your life in it isn’t something you “accomplish,” but rather something you continually do. Every situation provides the opportunity to either accept or rebel against said culture. However, too many rebellions, both internal and external, subtle and extreme, result in emotional turmoil and a self-reinforcing downward spiral toward the abyss of frustration and negativity. (Of course, rebellion in and of itself is not a bad thing, for it can result in growth for all parties involved.)

It was in this whirlpool of antagonism I was unknowingly caught when the Taj tossed me a lifesaver. And, sometimes, when someone gives you help (even if you don’t ask for it), you should take it. Because only through the process of healing did I start understanding the source of the pain.