Leaving India soon (Cor)

After four years in India we are getting ready to go "home" (although the concept of home is now a little confused for me). We have enjoyed it a lot here. The children have enjoyed it even more. I hope they have learned about India while being here. And I also hope they have not picked up any long term ill effects (given the possibility of eating contaminated food, etc).

We'll be very sad to leave behind our tennis; we all play very often now, Rohan 5 times per week from 8am till 4pm (since it is summer vacation), Swagata plays 4-5 X week, so does Simone. I play a little less now, while my knee is rehabilitating. Playing so often in the US wont be possible; first it seems there is less time in the US and second it will be way too expensive.

We'll be sad leaving behind the many friends we have made here. People are very warm and friendly and uncomplicated. Of course we get along with fellow Indian expats (shared experiences), but also with many locals. Swagata has found some women who share her views, the kids have too many friends to count, and I will have to leave behind the "kids" at work (most are under 30), the tennis guys and our friends in the neighborhood.

We'll be sad to leave behind the luxurious life style - relatively speaking. Converting dollars to rupees gives you a great advantage; it makes most things very cheap. And yes, who does not like not having to worry about money. We've been able to travel freely in the country, having many vacations and trips. Don't think it will be possible to do this in the US.

And, confessing to a weakness, being a white person in this country often gives you an advantage. You are treated with more respect, you have access to areas where Indians would be challenged first, in meetings people will listen to you, in stores and banks, you get quicker service than most. Of course I realize this is somewhat of a "colonial" attitude, but it is nice none the less. Back in the US, I will be just another guy.

Life is slower here, there is time to do things, it is not as competitive, not as harsh and cold as it sometimes is in the US. With our means, we can live very nicely here, not bothered by the many uncertainties of life in the west.

Of course there are negatives as well, but this post is not about that.

We will be sad to leave, we do wonder how we will adjust to life back in the US, how the kids will do. I think we'll come back some time - after the kids are out of the house, or earlier ???