This memoir is so touching, so incredibly well-written and observed that my eyes are still veiled with tears. I applaud Christa's writing. This is a most human story and deserves to be read by many. I have been to India but was oblivious as so many other tourists are, of the underside of this mysterious land. I am ashamed that I did not try to see beyond the beauty of the multicolored saris, even when dirty and torn and worn by ill-fed women. I saw them as graceful and likened them to exotic, if wilting flowers. Christa looked beyond the veil of what most tourists expect to find. She came with a purpose and achieved opening our eyes to what most of us choose not to ignore. We can, in our own cities, try to make eye contact with the destitute and homeless and slip them some food or a few dollars to buy it with, rather than ignore them.
Beautifully written! I've been in the slums of Delhi, seen the horrors, felt the helplessness, and marveled at the resilience of the people. Christa Hillstrom captured all the truth and honesty.
Charlene Pratt replied on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 12:08pm
I just reread this story and was about to leave a comment when I saw my comment from 2 1/2 years ago. I come back to this story often. Having traveled extensively in many "developing" (a better word would be "underdeveloped") countries, and being somewhat idealistic, I've felt exactly this way many times. The author's narrative captures beautifully a certain feeling/experience so many people find who go abroad seeking one thing and finding another. It's a story, but it's also a snapshot into an emotional state that is painful, real, and beautiful because of what it teaches.
This memoir is so touching, so incredibly well-written and observed that my eyes are still veiled with tears. I applaud Christa's writing. This is a most human story and deserves to be read by many. I have been to India but was oblivious as so many other tourists are, of the underside of this mysterious land. I am ashamed that I did not try to see beyond the beauty of the multicolored saris, even when dirty and torn and worn by ill-fed women. I saw them as graceful and likened them to exotic, if wilting flowers. Christa looked beyond the veil of what most tourists expect to find. She came with a purpose and achieved opening our eyes to what most of us choose not to ignore. We can, in our own cities, try to make eye contact with the destitute and homeless and slip them some food or a few dollars to buy it with, rather than ignore them.
This was fantastic! It moved me on so many levels and reminded me of how many different ways there are to see.
Beautifully written! I've been in the slums of Delhi, seen the horrors, felt the helplessness, and marveled at the resilience of the people. Christa Hillstrom captured all the truth and honesty.
A transcendental experience, related beautifully.
Keep on writing--never stop. You were born to do it. This piece did more than move me; it made me look at my own city's poor with deeper clarity.
Heart-breakingly beautiful and wise--just shared it on Facebook.
I've come back again and again to this story for four years; this is one of the most moving, beautifully-written accounts of India I've ever read.
I just reread this story and was about to leave a comment when I saw my comment from 2 1/2 years ago. I come back to this story often. Having traveled extensively in many "developing" (a better word would be "underdeveloped") countries, and being somewhat idealistic, I've felt exactly this way many times. The author's narrative captures beautifully a certain feeling/experience so many people find who go abroad seeking one thing and finding another. It's a story, but it's also a snapshot into an emotional state that is painful, real, and beautiful because of what it teaches.