Mysore and Mr. Medhi

Medhi was from Jordan doing his PHD and living in Mysore for 7.5 years. He was this big bulky Arnold Schwarzenegger looking guy with a pure heart and good intentions. They say the big muscle guys who you think would be the most tough are actually the most sensitive-that was definitely true in this case.

He picked me up by motorcycle from the bus station and I think the memory of that pick up will be forever ingrained in my mind. Let's just say he looks really good on a bike like movie star good and obviously he stands out amongst all the Indians.

He texted me and said, "Hey I'm across the street, don't you see me." I was on the wrong side of the street, but when I crossed over to that area I looked up and there he was dressed in a tight fitting black t-shirt, Levi's jeans, and big black combat boots.

Again, friendship vibes people! But he looked really good on that bike and I think he got plenty of attention from women whether foreigners or Indians-any woman with a beating pulse. We went back to his house, which was an apartment where he greeted his neighbors and introduced me. He said that he knew everyone in that area and I definitely believed him.

We then went out to meet his Iranian friend for tea…

Her name was Olivia and she was sweet girl-a yoga guru who also teaches English and is working on her Masters degree. Both her and Mediah attend the same school and it seemed they had a great bond with one another especially with them both being from the same country.

At first she seemed a bit skeptical with me and I could tell I was being labeled as the "American clueless tourist." As time went by, we really hit it off talking about teaching English, Netflix, and the various languages we find interesting. She was very socially aware, emotionally intelligent, and an empowered woman. She did not need a man to make her happy and neither did I-we were doing just fine in that department.

Medhi was smoking one cigarette after the next and that was annoying me as I cannot stand being around chain smokers. It is very distracting for me because I just want to get up and walk away, but I have to sit and act like I am not severely annoyed with the smoke that is going into my Tumeric tea and I am breathing in second hand.

There was an electricity outage in the restaurant and actually on the whole block so that was our green light to head out. We parted ways and I wished her well...I was happy Meddi invited me to meet her.

After this it was time for us to eat and I was starving and in need of some protein or a big Indian thali meal-something that was going to fill my stomach. Medhi and I went for some “Traditional Cashmiri Chicken” which translated to tandoori chicken soaked in oil, spices, and peppers with homemade roti…which would be nice if it was in a restaurant and not on the street side and I did not have the heart to tell him that we were not eating authentic Indian food-it was like very Arab influenced.

I just figured this was one of his favorite spots to eat for some craving or maybe after a long day or night out…The locals at this place knew him so well and treated him with such kindness because he ate there everyday…literally everyday! 

The price was extremely cheap like 100 rupees $1.25 for a plate of chicken and roti… I had to just be nice and sit there and smile as I was praying I would not get sick…I barely ate meat in India and when I did eat meat it was usually in the home or an upscale restaurant. Having a stomach issue then eating oil based chicken off the street-smart Priscilla....smart.

The locals at this place knew him so well and treated him with such kindness because he ate there everyday…literally everyday! 

He ate there everyday because he was totally broke being in school fulltime and not making any real income except some movie acting extra work. He had a diet consisting of: Tandoori chicken, fruits, crackers, and protein drinks.

 

We went for a small ride and he showed me the houses in Mysore talking about how much money they cost and how lucky people were to live like that…I could sense the desperation in his voice to get out of debt and live a luxurious life. He missed his hometown so much and he wanted to just be done with school and go home.

We sat in the park together after our ride and met with his friend for a bit. He was talking about how hard life has been in India, how people talk about him being promiscuous but its not true, people think he is rich because he is a foreigner(obviously that is not the case). His mother died of Covid a year back and he never got to say good bye to her and that broke his heart. He said he cried all the time just missing home and getting tired of being judged by Indians(not the first time I have heard this). It was just such a sad story coming from the Terminator...  

Our conversation continued for hours and as I listened to him talk I felt like he was just echoing my feelings…where is this world going? What has happened to respect, honesty, values ethics morals!!! He had his word and he stuck with it rather than people being self absorbed, materialistic, dishonest, and opportunists(what is in it for me?)

This whole world of yoga people in Mysore where 90 percent have no idea what they are doing and maybe 10 percent actually found their path to a career or finding their true purpose. He lived there for seven years and he pointed out the fact that people come on this spiritual journey to "find themselves," but they are searching for a feeling that they can not find. They are trying so hard to be important or special being a "yogi," but usually they are just escaping from a person, a place, an experience not knowing what they really want in life.

Also his main point was that people are not "practicing what they preach" or "say one thing and do another." He was still rusty on some of his English so I was proud to teach him the word hypocrite lol....The discussion of the importance of moderation and not just living life to societal pressures made me feel connected to him. He just seemed like he was really sad and even his friend said he looked healthier and in better shape. He lost a lot of weight the past few months because he was very depressed and just recently he started going to the gym and eating more…

His spirit was introduced to mine for a reason and I felt like I tried my best to coach, motivate, and empower him to keep going despite the challenging circumstances, the judgement, being misunderstood, and missing his home and family.

It was familiar to me being lonely and needing some support and not wanting to feel judged. Giving your heart to others in forms of kindness and being rejected(that was my language for the past 3 years). It was lovely that we had this exchange because it was two human beings connecting in such a beautiful way.....friendship....platonic...and nothing more for either of us. Two attractive people CAN be just friends even though people want to make their judgements-let them because at the end of the day Medhi and I know exactly who we are, our core identity, and our mission/purpose for ourselves. Amen!

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