Today at taekwondo I was chatting/exchanging notes with this ultra conservative Jewish mom with 4 adorable boys when her dad (who is visiting from NY) walked over and asked me if I was Indian. I replied "Yes".
He then greeted me with a "Namaste" and proceeded to speak to me in Hindi. I listened to him in amazement.. Still trying to process the fact that he had spoken to me in my language. I was completely blown away!!!
He said he had interacted with Indians in the Caribbean, when he was in the jewelry business and had even visited Mumbai. He spoke very fondly of his time spent there - in Nariman Point, Juhu, Bandra, Marine Drive, Marriott near Bandra and his interaction with the locals.
He was in Mumbai in 2008 attending a wedding, when terror struck. He was heartbroken. He spoke very passionately about the Indian culture, the food, the people, in particular the hospitality of the country, the honesty of the people, the tight knit families; how it felt to him like a home away from home.
He continued "It is such a pity many people still think of India as a country of illiterates, snakes, pollution and poverty. I wish more people can visit that country so they can learn tolerance, how to live life, how to love, and how to respect your elders. I love your country".
He ended by saying "Shukriya. Aasha hai aapki raat achchi ho (Thank You! I hope you have a nice evening/night)"
Listening to him I realized how little my kids knew about India or Indian culture..... and here was this older Jewish man who had taken pride in visiting India and learnt the language and appreciated the culture.
I must admit listening to him, I did feel very very homesick and he did move me to tears
Kabir just sat there listening to him, with his jaw open, amazed!