staring contests

I think one of hardest adjustments I’ve had to make so far has been dealing with the incessant staring and gawking where ever I go and whatever I do. I know I mentioned this before, but it’s worth dedicating an entire entry to. Before I came here I knew this would be the case and this is not a complete surprise to me. I wasn’t expecting to blend when I walked down the street, especially since the rural area Im in isn’t quite the tourist hub of India. But Im still struggling with how I should react. When someone stops in his or her tracks just to watch you walk by, it’s a little hard to know what to do. My American-conditioned social behavior is sent into a tail spin, what does this situation call for? Sometimes I keep looking straight ahead and pretend they’re not there, or sometimes I decide to challenge them to a stare-off and give it right back to them, maybe ending the eye contact with a polite half smile. Sometimes, when im feeling salty, I will squint my eyes a little, as to say “what are you looking at chump”. Of course I get no reaction and Im always the first to back down, but at least I try.

I’ve been living here for 2.5 weeks, and this still happens every time I walk around the foundation I live on. I mean, im sure its not everyday people see a blonde haired girl power walking in sporty sandals with water bottle in hand, but you would think it would get old b/c it has happened everyday since I’ve been here. But just this morning I was talking to a veterinarian that lives on the campus and I asked him which housing colony he lives in (there are three on campus). He replied by saying it was the one on the hill. The one I had walked past twice last night, going in the same direction. Great, it’s good to know someone (or everyone) is keeping track of my exercise routine.