SANTOSH DESAI

Bought this in Bangalore the last day we were in India this time around. Read over half of it on the flight back. This is a wonderful book of short essays on life in India--adapted from a newspaper column. Some absolutely wonderful pieces on traffic, food, Bollywood, fashion, home life, etc. The first paragraph on traffic: "If the Church is serious about reviving interest in religion, it should sponsor more trips by Westerners to India. For nowhere else is God remembered and prayed to so fervently as it is when they encounter Indian traffic. That India is a hotbed of chaos is part of its charm; most outsiders can smile through the assault carried out on their senses by the overwhelming sights, sounds and smell that surround them. They can grit their teeth and tolerate sundry touts, beggars, holy men and curious onlookers who mill around them with a permanent air of neediness. Where many crumble is in taking a ride through Indian roads. For this is a trip that makes everyone spiritual, at least for a while." I found myself laughing out loud, trying to explain to my German seat mate, just back from Nepal, on his way to the Northwest. Not quite finished But I will.… (mehr)