Blog #3: Commonalities

It’s day three (technically day four because I procrastinated, but in the States it’s still day three, so that counts… right?) and I already don’t know what to write about. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated at this point!

I’m writing this shortly after getting back from a Salim Sulaiman concert- if you’re not familiar, they’re worth a Google! The concert was loads of fun, filled with dancing, friends, and good food (all of which are thankfully in full supply here in India). One of my favorite parts about being here is finding the commonalities between India and home. They are so different in so many ways, but at the same time, so similar. Sure, the songs at tonight’s concert were in Hindi, and I understood absolutely none of it, but it was still some of the most fun I’ve had here yet. Dancing with friends to good music is universal— it is not confined to a single language or culture. Similarly, enjoying good food is something we do here frequently, even though it could almost not be more different from food back home. More than anything, I have enjoyed connecting with people, and just doing the simple things like laugh, cook, and sing together. The joy of being with others is a universal one, and I think the root of all the other commonalities I have come across. It is the common thread of humanity that unites us and brings us together to enjoy these activities in a variety of different ways. How lucky I am to experience all of it.