Senya is a Journalist and Teacher. She has been living in Chennai for over two years. Together with Laura and the student's school-teacher Swarna she conducted the "Living between Cultures"-Project with the students of Sacred-Heart-School.
What about your reason to come to India?
Senya:
I always wanted to live in South India. A long time ago, when I first came to India, I landed in Delhi. I liked it very much in the north, but when I came to South India, I said – Wow, this is the place where I want to live. My husband got an offer to work in Chennai and so my dream came true.
What was your first experience when you – years ago - first visited India?
Senya:
When I first came to India I was surprised to see tons of people in the airport and I mistook the situation to be a riot. I was feeling so out of place and then I got to know that they were just there to pick up their friends and relatives from the airport, so I relaxed. I was also horrified when I saw so much of traffic on the roads and I had difficulties in crossing the road. So my husband took my hand and he advised me to close my eyes and go. We crossed the road together. As I reached the other side I felt so happy. Wow, I was still alive!
What do you felt when you came back to India two years ago?
Senya:
The moment I came out of the airport I could literally smell South India. I recognized that very unique smell. It is a dash of Jasmine, spices and trees, the greenery. It is really pleasant and very special.
For Indians food is one of the most important things. How do you find Indian food?
Senya:
It is a bit spicy because the Germans are not used to eating Indian spices, but I love it. My favorites are the South Indian Dosa and Mutton Rogan Josh which happens to be a famous North Indian dish. Only one thing could be done better. Food made with sugar is much too sweet.
What are the challenges you faced in Chennai?
Senya:
I found that the people in Chennai weren’t at all as punctual as the Germans. I had to wait for three days for the AC service to turn up. When I had an appointment at the hospital, I was on time but the doctor was not in the clinic. I had to wait for an hour for him. But when he came he checked only a few patients and left early. I wasn’t one of them. I felt frustrated.
What was your most exciting moment?
Senya:
There are lots of exciting moments for me every day. When I get out of the office, when I finish with my work, the hour between day and night, it becomes darker and darker and then I drive home. On my way home, there are so many things happening – people standing there eating their dinner already, or people talking, or people standing at the bus station. Like a movie. In Germany, there aren’t many people living on the streets. Life happens inside the building and you can’t participate as a stranger.
What do you miss most about Germany?
Senya:
I miss the long walks and the open spaces. The feeling of just getting away from the noise and taking walks for hours in the woods. Just having nature around you is amazing! I miss the feel of the forests and the crackling of the leaves under my feet. I miss autumn time when the leaves change the colour to red and orange.
Thank you for the interview.
What about your reason to come to India?
Senya:
I always wanted to live in South India. A long time ago, when I first came to India, I landed in Delhi. I liked it very much in the north, but when I came to South India, I said – Wow, this is the place where I want to live. My husband got an offer to work in Chennai and so my dream came true.
What was your first experience when you – years ago - first visited India?
Senya:
When I first came to India I was surprised to see tons of people in the airport and I mistook the situation to be a riot. I was feeling so out of place and then I got to know that they were just there to pick up their friends and relatives from the airport, so I relaxed. I was also horrified when I saw so much of traffic on the roads and I had difficulties in crossing the road. So my husband took my hand and he advised me to close my eyes and go. We crossed the road together. As I reached the other side I felt so happy. Wow, I was still alive!
What do you felt when you came back to India two years ago?
Senya:
The moment I came out of the airport I could literally smell South India. I recognized that very unique smell. It is a dash of Jasmine, spices and trees, the greenery. It is really pleasant and very special.
For Indians food is one of the most important things. How do you find Indian food?
Senya:
It is a bit spicy because the Germans are not used to eating Indian spices, but I love it. My favorites are the South Indian Dosa and Mutton Rogan Josh which happens to be a famous North Indian dish. Only one thing could be done better. Food made with sugar is much too sweet.
What are the challenges you faced in Chennai?
Senya:
I found that the people in Chennai weren’t at all as punctual as the Germans. I had to wait for three days for the AC service to turn up. When I had an appointment at the hospital, I was on time but the doctor was not in the clinic. I had to wait for an hour for him. But when he came he checked only a few patients and left early. I wasn’t one of them. I felt frustrated.
What was your most exciting moment?
Senya:
There are lots of exciting moments for me every day. When I get out of the office, when I finish with my work, the hour between day and night, it becomes darker and darker and then I drive home. On my way home, there are so many things happening – people standing there eating their dinner already, or people talking, or people standing at the bus station. Like a movie. In Germany, there aren’t many people living on the streets. Life happens inside the building and you can’t participate as a stranger.
What do you miss most about Germany?
Senya:
I miss the long walks and the open spaces. The feeling of just getting away from the noise and taking walks for hours in the woods. Just having nature around you is amazing! I miss the feel of the forests and the crackling of the leaves under my feet. I miss autumn time when the leaves change the colour to red and orange.
Thank you for the interview.
