Hangover
For Indians in the US (NRI has irrationally acquired an negative connotation in my mind, hence the aversion to its use), occasional India trips issue notice to their overseas existence. Yes, I often generalize for the sake of impact. Contrary to the rule of age-based memory decay, every subsequent stay in your Indian house threatens to erase the time spent overseas, as if that existence was simply an irrelevant dream. However, whether this is an affinity to one’s country and people or arises as a result of home-prepared food is still unclear.
Associated with this, on immediate return to the states, is the glorification of everything Indian and a general state of apathy towards anything American. Even the Indians here seem to be leading a lie of a life, with the ‘unnatural’ accents of the children here driving home the point. Streets and walls seem to worsen the situation, where is the dirt and spit to bring them to life? etc. etc.
This splinter carried over the seas acts as a good excuse for slacking off at work too. After all, what task is more important than the call of the motherland.
Then of course, the boss reminds of deadlines, and India remains on the backfoot till the next trip comes around.
