What a gorgeous, haunting, and evocative window you've opened up in sharing this experience Grace. I'm deeply moved by your descriptions. Your writing is somehow incredibly rich while at the same time perfectly lean and stark as the environment you describe. I made a trip to India years ago that mirrored some of the poverty you describe, but not the danger. I was similarly struck but the radiance of the human spirit that shined forth out of the squalor, and especially the reverse culture shock. I remember at the time hoping I'd never get over that culture shock, wanting to hang on to that connection to what felt in some ways like real life, real humanity in contrast to the endless storefront of western culture. Reading your article was the first time in many years I felt reconnected to that quality of real life. Honestly it's a re-visit that I really needed in this moment. It puts my modern-day concerns in proper perspective. So glad you shared this.
Grace, this is so beautiful. It has to be your best piece so far (among all the excellent ones I had the privilege of reading). “In that moment, she spoke quickly, animatedly, the vowels and consonants rolling off her tongue as she told me something important despite the fact we could not understand one another. The only thing I could do was hold her eye contact, let her know that I was there in that moment with her. I’ll never forget her eyes. They were bottomless pools, dark as olive pits.” -- this made me feel right there, observing the scene and touching it. I’m no religious person but I’m highly respectful of who is, and this piece brings out your beliefs with all the strength that they have yet in a discrete fashion (sottovoce, we say in Italian). Superb. Thank you for sharing this meaningful experience.
Such an immersive ride. The details were so vivid. I couldn't stop reading and hope you'll reprise these personal etudes again.
This is beautiful
Beautiful. Your words are a gift, Grace.
I especially felt this: "swimming through that stage of life where a girl is doing her best to become a woman."
What a gorgeous, haunting, and evocative window you've opened up in sharing this experience Grace. I'm deeply moved by your descriptions. Your writing is somehow incredibly rich while at the same time perfectly lean and stark as the environment you describe. I made a trip to India years ago that mirrored some of the poverty you describe, but not the danger. I was similarly struck but the radiance of the human spirit that shined forth out of the squalor, and especially the reverse culture shock. I remember at the time hoping I'd never get over that culture shock, wanting to hang on to that connection to what felt in some ways like real life, real humanity in contrast to the endless storefront of western culture. Reading your article was the first time in many years I felt reconnected to that quality of real life. Honestly it's a re-visit that I really needed in this moment. It puts my modern-day concerns in proper perspective. So glad you shared this.
Grace, this is so beautiful. It has to be your best piece so far (among all the excellent ones I had the privilege of reading). “In that moment, she spoke quickly, animatedly, the vowels and consonants rolling off her tongue as she told me something important despite the fact we could not understand one another. The only thing I could do was hold her eye contact, let her know that I was there in that moment with her. I’ll never forget her eyes. They were bottomless pools, dark as olive pits.” -- this made me feel right there, observing the scene and touching it. I’m no religious person but I’m highly respectful of who is, and this piece brings out your beliefs with all the strength that they have yet in a discrete fashion (sottovoce, we say in Italian). Superb. Thank you for sharing this meaningful experience.