Many people come to India to do work on their egos. Usually, that means trying to reduce that nagging, struggling voice that is the cause of so much suffering in the world.
One of the (many) unpredictable side effects of traveling to India for me, however, is the development of a bigger ego.
My rock star ego.
In America, I am a pretty average Boulderite. I like to think of myself as intelligent and not unattractive. In India, though, I am magically transformed into a near movie star, or at the very least a B-list celebrity from a prominent car commercial. Perhaps it is my dreadlocked hair, my height (several inches higher than even the tallest Indians!), my passing resemblance to Jesus and Krishna or just my white skin, but these guys go crazy for me- at least occasionally.
It is not uncommon for me to be stopped a dozen times in a good day by Indians asking me to pose with their wives, parents, children or friends for a photo. Mind you, I have never met or interacted with any of these people before in my life, but it feels like they all know me, recognize me.
I have to say, it’s pretty creepy.
And I am starting to feel what celebrities are talking about when they speak of the isolation and loneliness of fame. ‘Does this person really want to know me? Can they really know me, or do they just want a piece of my brand to rub off on them?’ That kind of idea doesn’t seem at all paranoid to me now.
I realize I am not really at risk of becoming a star at this point in my life, but just in case I had any Hollywood ambitions, this has certainly put them in check.
I will leave the hard work up to Brad Pitt.
1 comment:
I think what becomes clear when you leave Boulder is that the average "Boulderite" is not average. Boulder has highly intelligent and talented people by the thousands. I think intelligent and talented people are drawn to Boulder because it feels comfortable to be surrounded by people with similar interests. Everyone huddles together and talks about saving the world while comfortably sipping Boulder Chi. Are these people really changing anything, or are they just being fashionable? I wonder if it isn't the responsibility of the gifted (intelligence is a gift) to abandon comfort, and share those talents with those who are in need of it?
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