I step off the plane onto a foreign land,

Thousands of miles away from home.

I see India, the land of my ancestors.

I see the history of a civilization

Over three millenniums old.

I observe the traditions.

I see people taking their shoes off

As they enter their homes.

I see women wearing colorful saris.

I see the youths touching the feet of elders

Out of respect.

I see the importance

That family is given.

I see partying in the streets

For no apparent reason other than, “Why not?”

I see a society

That is happy without an obsession for materialism.

I see the difference between the West, a consumer society built around advertising

And the East, focused on living with decorum and trying to enjoy the simple things in life.

I see a society focused on living for each other, not only for themselves.

I see a society that inspires me to appreciate life’s minute details

On the other side of the world.