Post by Rogue Trader on Aug 31, 2010 14:25:11 GMT -5
Well, India it is then.
First, for those that have been following my journey, I’ll update you on my last/current injury. I have been diagnosed (british medical school registered doctor) with a complaint commonly known (to those in the medical profession) as foot drop. I’m not even going to think about whether it is serious or not, all I know is I can talk the talk, but can’t walk the walk (Google: symptoms, foot drop). Oh well, just get on with it and stop freaking complaining ya wimp!!
Do I tell it as it is? Or do I beat around the bush? (Hands up all those who think I beat around the bush.)
Ok, been here for 24 days now. Wow, what a place. Firstly – the people really are absolute gems. Can’t fault any of them. Extremely helpful, polite, genuinely concerned for my well being, and inquisitive. There is only one fault that I must mention here, and that is (partly, because of) the language barrier. If you (I in this case) ask a question, and they do not understand the question, they always answer ‘Yes’. Needless to say this has caused a few situations, but I always plead ignorance (yes, I know some of you will agree that I’m an ignorant person), and I seem to get away with it.
Here is a Indian family that I spent a few days with
From the left we have Arun, he is like the manager of the restaurant they own/run. Then we have Babu (assistant manager) and Tacku (I'll talk more later about Tacku.) Next in line is Backu, he is a local boy, his family lives about 1km away from the hotel (hotel in India is restaurant not a place for sleeping, if you want a room you must look for lodgings), he is the waiter. He stays/sleeps/works at the hotel 24/7 and goes home twice a week for washing and change of clothes ( although he still washes everyday, and has spare clothes at the hotel.) He gets (well his family) paid 30 rupees a day. then it's me (the fat, white, european/british/english persom). Then mummy, she is the mother of Arun and Babu. Last, but by far means least is 'Chinese Chef'. I never got to learn his real name, but reference to chinese chef means 'no passport, no visa'. Chinese chef is so called because he (allegedly) has no status in India, because he tried to commit suicide. Again allegedly, he lost his wife and baby child in a natural disaster, which caused him to attempt to end his own life.
Taku -
What did I learn about Taku? He is an orphan. He is eight years old, he works (cleaning the floors, washing dishes/pans) upto 18 hours a day. Taku gets paid (into a special account) 20 rupees a day. 20 rupees equals in USD$ 0.40 (yes, forty cents). I took an instant shine to Taku, and he to me. Somuchso, that on the second day he was calling me 'uncle', but I did keep asking them (Arun, Babu and mummy) to let him rest and have a sleep. Ok, so I know I was interferring with their way of life, but at the end of the day I'm still a humanitarian.
The weather is nowhere near as hot as it was in Turkey or Iran, it’s only 32o here, but the humidity makes one hell of a difference. At between 80 – 99% humidity, I can tell you I’m melting. I’ve lost a further 8lbs since being here.
Ok, so lets get on with it then. First the down side – they (the general population) have no concept of cleanliness. Ok, I might be going a bit overboard here, but they keep their own little areas clean, and just dump their rubbish at the nearest convienient place (normally on the roadside, or just into their neighbours land).
Housing is something to look at in awe. Never, have I seen places like this.
But let me tell you, these people are staying a lot drier (it’s monsoon season here) than I am.
Here are a few of the photos (2) that I have taken. Not many of rocks I’m afraid, because I’m not really here for the rocks – and yes, I’m fully aware that this forum is dedicated to rocks.
There are collectable rocks everywhere, and I mean literally everywhere. So much so that now I do not even stop tp look for them nor at them. The strange thing about it all is, the locals do not know what they are looking at or, if you want to look at it from a financial point of view, how much money they are looking at / walking on / just digging up.
Ok, enough carp – now for some proper pictures:
As in the other countries I have visited, some times the transport is still very basic.
Cows - being sacred, are allowed to roam the streets. Cows are classed the mothers of all life, they give birth, they give milk, and therefore give nourishment and life to offspring.
This one is on a sidewalk right outside some shops in the town center.
Water buffalo - though look like, but are not classed as cows, do most of the hard labour
As I said the tempreture is about 32o, but the humidity is so high nearly everything stays at a constant tempreture. Needless to say that having a wash/shower is not a problem.
In the towns/villages, and even in the cities, you will always find the local curbside recycling are (where they dump their rubbish.)
There is always a staue, and the streets always look similar.
Although I may have made the country look drab and dirty, there is also some lovely scenery and colour.
At the moment I'm only in Goa
Only about halfway down the country, so hopefully I'll be able to take some more pictures before it is time for me to leave.
Last but not least - I know I'm handsome, but definately not Indiana Jones
Afternote: Apolgies for the amount of pictures, and to those that have been bored with the whole situation. I'm trying to be as selective, and interesting as possible.
First, for those that have been following my journey, I’ll update you on my last/current injury. I have been diagnosed (british medical school registered doctor) with a complaint commonly known (to those in the medical profession) as foot drop. I’m not even going to think about whether it is serious or not, all I know is I can talk the talk, but can’t walk the walk (Google: symptoms, foot drop). Oh well, just get on with it and stop freaking complaining ya wimp!!
Do I tell it as it is? Or do I beat around the bush? (Hands up all those who think I beat around the bush.)
Ok, been here for 24 days now. Wow, what a place. Firstly – the people really are absolute gems. Can’t fault any of them. Extremely helpful, polite, genuinely concerned for my well being, and inquisitive. There is only one fault that I must mention here, and that is (partly, because of) the language barrier. If you (I in this case) ask a question, and they do not understand the question, they always answer ‘Yes’. Needless to say this has caused a few situations, but I always plead ignorance (yes, I know some of you will agree that I’m an ignorant person), and I seem to get away with it.
Here is a Indian family that I spent a few days with
From the left we have Arun, he is like the manager of the restaurant they own/run. Then we have Babu (assistant manager) and Tacku (I'll talk more later about Tacku.) Next in line is Backu, he is a local boy, his family lives about 1km away from the hotel (hotel in India is restaurant not a place for sleeping, if you want a room you must look for lodgings), he is the waiter. He stays/sleeps/works at the hotel 24/7 and goes home twice a week for washing and change of clothes ( although he still washes everyday, and has spare clothes at the hotel.) He gets (well his family) paid 30 rupees a day. then it's me (the fat, white, european/british/english persom). Then mummy, she is the mother of Arun and Babu. Last, but by far means least is 'Chinese Chef'. I never got to learn his real name, but reference to chinese chef means 'no passport, no visa'. Chinese chef is so called because he (allegedly) has no status in India, because he tried to commit suicide. Again allegedly, he lost his wife and baby child in a natural disaster, which caused him to attempt to end his own life.
Taku -
What did I learn about Taku? He is an orphan. He is eight years old, he works (cleaning the floors, washing dishes/pans) upto 18 hours a day. Taku gets paid (into a special account) 20 rupees a day. 20 rupees equals in USD$ 0.40 (yes, forty cents). I took an instant shine to Taku, and he to me. Somuchso, that on the second day he was calling me 'uncle', but I did keep asking them (Arun, Babu and mummy) to let him rest and have a sleep. Ok, so I know I was interferring with their way of life, but at the end of the day I'm still a humanitarian.
The weather is nowhere near as hot as it was in Turkey or Iran, it’s only 32o here, but the humidity makes one hell of a difference. At between 80 – 99% humidity, I can tell you I’m melting. I’ve lost a further 8lbs since being here.
Ok, so lets get on with it then. First the down side – they (the general population) have no concept of cleanliness. Ok, I might be going a bit overboard here, but they keep their own little areas clean, and just dump their rubbish at the nearest convienient place (normally on the roadside, or just into their neighbours land).
Housing is something to look at in awe. Never, have I seen places like this.
But let me tell you, these people are staying a lot drier (it’s monsoon season here) than I am.
Here are a few of the photos (2) that I have taken. Not many of rocks I’m afraid, because I’m not really here for the rocks – and yes, I’m fully aware that this forum is dedicated to rocks.
There are collectable rocks everywhere, and I mean literally everywhere. So much so that now I do not even stop tp look for them nor at them. The strange thing about it all is, the locals do not know what they are looking at or, if you want to look at it from a financial point of view, how much money they are looking at / walking on / just digging up.
Ok, enough carp – now for some proper pictures:
As in the other countries I have visited, some times the transport is still very basic.
Cows - being sacred, are allowed to roam the streets. Cows are classed the mothers of all life, they give birth, they give milk, and therefore give nourishment and life to offspring.
This one is on a sidewalk right outside some shops in the town center.
Water buffalo - though look like, but are not classed as cows, do most of the hard labour
As I said the tempreture is about 32o, but the humidity is so high nearly everything stays at a constant tempreture. Needless to say that having a wash/shower is not a problem.
In the towns/villages, and even in the cities, you will always find the local curbside recycling are (where they dump their rubbish.)
There is always a staue, and the streets always look similar.
Although I may have made the country look drab and dirty, there is also some lovely scenery and colour.
At the moment I'm only in Goa
Only about halfway down the country, so hopefully I'll be able to take some more pictures before it is time for me to leave.
Last but not least - I know I'm handsome, but definately not Indiana Jones
Afternote: Apolgies for the amount of pictures, and to those that have been bored with the whole situation. I'm trying to be as selective, and interesting as possible.