Exit 131 off the Garden State Parkway leads to a whole other world. There’s a Burger King on the main drag, but most of the restaurants, stores and venues cater to the booming population of Indian expats.
Since moving to New Jersey three decades ago, my in-laws have gone to Edison for all the items—mainly clothing and groceries—that remind them of India, and they insisted on taking me there not long after I met my husband, Nishi. Nishi emigrated from northern India with his parents when he was two years old. He doesn’t remember much from his early years in India, but he respects his roots and observes certain major holidays and traditions that are important to his family.
The purpose for my first trip to Edison was to find something for me to wear to a cultural party my in-laws had invited my husband and me to. I was excited to go on the shopping trip, since I had always admired the clothing Indian women wore. That day, we had a huge, delicious lunch—lassis, pakoras, samosas, etc.—at a little fast food place, but it all went bad from there.
As we walked around to the various shops, I began to notice people staring at us. I was starting to feel like an intruder, and my fears were confirmed when a salesgirl at a clothing store told my mother-in-law in a language I didn’t understand that “they” just don’t make lenghas in my size. I was nowhere near overweight and certainly not too large to be clothed. Many times, Indian clothes are made to order anyway. What the salesgirl really meant was “get out.” Without breaking eye contact with the girl, my mother-in-law dropped the dress she had been holding on the floor, and we did.
Thankfully, that experience was not at all representative of what was to come when I officially joined my husband’s family and his parents’ community. They—and their culture—have taught me more about friendship, loyalty and love than I ever thought possible. And that’s why when my mother-in-law recently suggested I give Edison another try—this time for an outfit for an upcoming wedding—I, albeit reluctantly, agreed.
I guess a lot has changed in the past five years because I had a completely different experience. There were other mixed couples walking around, and no one seemed to care that we were there. I found a beautiful white and peach churidar kameez (basically a dress with leggings) that I will be proud to wear, although I am even prouder to uphold my Indian family’s New Jerseyan tradition.
Edison, I will be back.