Surrendering to the colors of India

If you ask me to describe what is more impacting in India, I would say the colors and the food. As you all know by now I am not a huge fan of spices, so what really leaves a mark on me from this experience are the colors. Back home in Brazil we have amazing colors in Northeast area, mainly in Bahia because of the influence of Africa and I could feel the same here in India, but it is not in a single region, it is everywhere and it might be related to the diversity of culture, religion, languages and tribes.

The colors are everywhere, from the kurtas and sarees that women where, to the colors of the food, of the fruits and some of the colors represent specific things. In our western culture our brides usually where white, here in India they where amazing red and golden sarees in one of the most important dates of their lives. Red, for example, is dynamic and constantly breathing fire in the eyes of the beholder. Red also stands for purity and is the preferred color for a bride’s garment. It symbolizes fertility and prosperity.

I could experience and "surrender" to the colors of India since the very first weekend here by celebrating Holi, the celebrations of colors! Yesterday, part of our team went to Dilli Haat, one of the most amazing markets I have ever seen. Colors from the scarfs, Kurtas, Sarees and shoes! It had thousands of stores and many sellers opened to negotiate prices to satisfy their customers. I have to say most of the gifts I am bringing home are from there and I am also considering to come back for sure.

When I applied for IBM CSC, I could never imagine I would have the opportunity to come back to India, and now that I am here, I feel so glad for having this opportunity. Even with my stomachache, even missing my family and friends and home, I could not be happier than I am with this experience. Colors here in India does not only have a meaning each, but it also ties the entire nation together even having so many cultural, economical, social and political differences across the states. And this is one of the lessons I learned this week: union.

Namaste!