Like Like Dope

I'm sitting in a dank cyber cafe, pondering my departure tomorrow on my own. In the corner a trashy hindi game show is playing, and a few men are smoking rank cigarettes and laughing. And this is normal now. It makes me wonder what else I take for granted, things I see every day that were shocking on the first. So what shocked me today? As I was in a rickshaw being driven across town, we passed a large hindu temple where a bunch of elephants were gathered outside. Every couple days the elephants are there, and its my favorite part of the ride; im always tempted to flag down the driver and have him drop me off so I can pet and play with the gentle giants. Anyway, today I saw an elephant with tusks, and I completely forgot that they grew on elephants. They are so valuable that it is rare to find them.

What else. I bought a watch in the market today, realizing I had not really kept track of time for the last month, except going along with others that were doing so. Anyways, I felt like I got ripped off on an imitation sony watch, which I payed about a dollar for. I know the American economy is plunging, and standards of living are dropping as gas, milk, and heat all become a larger expense. Still, I wonder where our priorities are. I know I will go home in a month and walk in my suburban neighborhood. Everything will be spotlessly clean, including the sidewalk and road itself. There will be no garbage to be found, and everyone's grass will be freshly cut and green. I am not saying that our economy isn't struggling, but I think maybe we should prioritize to focus less on appearances.

I have found that when I walk on the street, if a person is not poor, then they may be better dressed than I am. In India, appearances are important because it shows you can afford to pay for a shiny belt buckle or button down shirt. If you can afford hair gel and a comb, you spend (too much) time in front of the mirror. And I simply wander around in a cheap t shirt and sandals (and pants). But people seem to spend their money on what is important, despite current fashions (which I think are kind of worthless, but never going to disappear). How do we stop consumer culture when its all we know? We should be spending money on food, clothing, and cigarettes, like indians do. I guess being abroad has just changed my concept of necessity.
Still, we have everything that is important in America: food, shelter, and family. Why do we need expensive furniture which we have only for the couple days a week we have guests? It just seems like we have nothing real to complain about, so we find something mundane.

And i also think about how everyone at wes and in fashion is skinny. like emaciated skinny. And these are the more wealthy people in our society, who can afford to eat food without any calories in them. Well guess what, here, fat is in. Cause it means you can afford to eat. Being called a skinny boy is an insult. Sure, people are getting fatter as the mcdonalds and subways roll in, but that is expensive food here, not cheap like it is in the states.

So what am I saying? The rest of the world thinks we are doing ok. I really don't mind being cheated out of a handful of rupees on every interaction, because I wear clean, unripped clothing, and know when my next meal is coming. So, I'm thankful. Why is the US less devout than some other countries? because we have things to turn to other than religion. Many here are extremely religious, and I understand completely; justice and equality are not so much to ask for, and one must beleive in redemption if they are to continue struggling. Religion takes inward reflection, which means self-evaluation. And its easier to look at others than oneself.
Am I promoting religion, no. But I do beleive in faith.