Cutting Chai Chronicles

Landed in Delhi, lost my bags and my mind,

Tuk-tuk driver's flying, leaving space-time behind!

Cried “Arre baap re!” when a cow crossed the street,

Now I’m eating butter chicken sitting on a plastic seat.

Got a chai in my hand,

burning up my tongue,

“Ek cutting chai, please!”—now I sound like I belong!

Oh India, you’re chaotic,

loud, and bright,

I lost my favorite sandal in the bazaar market night!

From the Taj Mahal to the backwaters so blue,

I came for a week,

now I’m stuck here with you!

Acha chalte hain, yeah,

I’m never going home,

Just a Western girl lost in the Taj Mahal dome!

Down in Kerala, floating on a houseboat cruise,

Trying yoga pants on,

got nothing to lose.

Asked the guide for the WiFi,

he just shook his head,

“Accha, ji, accha!” is the only thing he said.

Spicy pani puri popped right in my face,

Now my soul is ascending in this technicolor place!

Oh India, you’re chaotic,

loud, and bright,

I lost my favorite sandal in the bazaar market night!

From the Taj Mahal to the backwaters so blue,

I came for a week,

now I’m stuck here with you!

Acha chalte

hain, yeah, I’m never going home,

Just a Western girl lost in the Taj Mahal dome!

Namaste, Mumbai!

Namaste, Goa beach!

My yoga guru says

I’m finally out of reach.

One final selfie...

wait,

where’s my phone?

Ah, whatever... Chalo!

Let’s keep moving on!