Context

We pride ourselves as knowing – whether that’s a theoretical knowledge, or a practical knowledge, we know stuff.  Or we think we do.  

How much of what we know is context? How much do we actually know – when taken out of context?  Landing in a new city has given me a unique type of knowing, or for that matter – not knowing. Realizing that my knowledge is very much depended on a familiar context.  In India, where I cannot pronounce half the words I read, where cabdrivers ignore me half the time and with more culture/ traditions that I ever realized – my context is non-existing.

My familiarity with what I, supposedly, know went right out the window.  The process might be the same, and the outcome something similar to what I know but for this foreigner, knowledge-wise I'm starting from square one.  

I have to take a map and point to where I want to go.  I (tried) to adapt a slightly more Indian accent and I eat local food.  At least a start: I’ve learned my way around the metro, can say thank you in Hindi (Dhanyavaad – and spell it correctly!) and know the surrounding areas to the office.  And for the rest of it, hand signs do work! 

I won’t classify myself as a super knowledgeable person – but I do read a lot: anything I can lay my hands on: newspapers, blogs and books.  I like to know and understand the real world, and I hate ignorant people.  But then again, I read about things that interest me: politics, people, good food, art, history, architecture and of course the films.  Who doesn’t like the movies?!

A couple of laughs later, a couple of swearing very loudly (in my head) and a lot of deep breaths – knowing that I don’t know, that’s fine.  For now.  I will learn, understand, enquire and spend my spare time learning about this fascinating place that I call home for now. 

And in the meantime, Im not ashamed to ask for directions…

What they don’t tell you

They say don’t judge a book by its cover.  That’s what they say, but that’s not what we do. 
We need something, anything to make us understand.  We judge, estimate, assume and place into boxes because it organizes the world around us. 
But if we dig a little deeper, a little beyond the surface you’ll find what they don’t tell you.  You’ll find instances in the beautiful, thick long hair of Indian women.  You’ll find the beauty in street kids playing next to the road and you’ll find the passion of the team that welcomes you.
As I set my foot into India my first welcome came from a sms that read ‘Welcome to India, this is where your mad journey begins’. I had a bit of a laugh, yes – indeed, it will probably be a mad journey. 
As I ask for the bigger picture to get a sense of the world I’m letting myself into, I’m met with a surprising response.
A burst of passion.
 I expect television people to be passionate.  The working hours, the circumstances, the deadlines all drain the rest out of us.  Tiring, but it’s the passion that keeps us going. 
For the team at here it’s not only about the business, but about the opportunity they give to young members of the team to explore, whether it’s a new skill or just an existing one wanting to be made better.  It’s about getting to know the road less traveled by.  Not the Taj Mahal, the tigers or Holi, but the rest of this big, rich and beautiful country.
Perhaps it’s what they don’t tell us that make the difference.  That brings the spark and that creates the experience.