Expatriates in Town

THERE are some people who can make you feel at ease instantly. Danielle Barkhouse is one of them. Five minutes into the conversation and we had already discussed her cultural blues, the IPL matches and her maiden book “The Expat Arc”. Her husband, John Barkhouse, joins us just as Danielle brings in her delicious cookies. Having had a taste of Canada, we are eager to know how familiar they are with the Indian Cuisine. “We love Indian food!” declares John. “But it doesn’t seem to like us! I nearly passed out after having a chettinadu chicken,” laughs Danielle. She then gives us an insight into the Canadian kitchen culture. “Back in Canada, the kitchen is the centre of the home and we actually entertain people in the kitchen! Whereas in India, we have kitchens at the back of the house, almost hidden away in a corner. It’s very lonely for me to cook here and the lovely restaurants around give us the perfect excuse to eat out.”

It is been over a year now since John joined in as a managing director of a multi national company. Ever since, they have had those very “Indian” moments that brings a smile to their faces. John brightens up as he reminisces about the special Pongal they celebrated last year. “We had pongal cooked in a traditional earthen pot out in the open air! We even had pretty kolams adorning our verandah. In fact, we actually Amercanised the festival,” he gives us a mischievous grin and continues, “We did our marshmallows in a camp fire (of sorts) and distributed it to our staff with S’mores (an American snack) and they loved it!” It is in such seemingly small moments that boundaries are redefined.

And invariably, differences are redefined too. Not ones that divide but ones that bring in a greater learning experience, the experience of accepting the other without losing the self. “The weather, the traffic, the very challenge of living in India opened our eyes to the world. We had learned to change the things we can and more importantly to accept the things which we cannot. The experience has definitely made us much better people,” says John.

But the one thing they miss the most from back home? “It’s Ice Hockey!” they declare unanimously. “Ice Hockey is to Canadians, what cricket is to Indians,” explains John. Though perhaps, the fanaticism is on a completely different level in India, as Danielle’s experience elucidates. “I was visiting a big electronics showroom in Chennai, when I found a huge crowd at the entrance. I stood behind them, assuming it to be some sort of a queue. Then, there was a gentleman who asked me to get inside the showroom. I moved through the crowd, looking a little dazed. It was only when I asked the manager, did I understand the reason behind the crowd. There was a cricket match being telecast on TV!”