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November 28 Monty Pythons Ministry of Funny Walks - Live from the India/Pakisatan BorderOne of the more bizarre experiences this week, and there have been many (the other main one being meeting a Yogi who had been living as a hermit in the mountains for the last twelve years) was travelling to the border of India and Pakistan, near Amritsar (the Seikh capital of the Punjab and also the beard capital of the world) to witness the posteuring of two of the worlds most cantancourous neighbours ('scuse the spelling)
Twice daily the India and Pakistan border guards parade up and down in front of hundreds of their fellow countrymen, before stomping up to each other as the border gates open. There then follows much glaring and eye balling, and some truly outstanding goose stepping that would put most of the Eastern block forces to shame (and North Korea who also appreciate quality sychcronised goose stepping). The goose steppers actually manage to get their boots up to their chins as they stomp about in their uniforms and elaborate head gear. The on lookers meanwhile chant nationalistic slogans and try to out shout each other. All highly hilarious to the Western observer.
One serious under side to this pantomime is that in most of North India, in particular the Northern states, there are thousands of soldiers, bases and armoured convoys everywhere. They really do hate the Pakisatani's and most of the Indian press reports on latest advancements in Indian firepower. November 25 Birthday greeetingsWell I have now entered my 40th year on the planet having turned 39 this week. Just one year to go before the big one. Had a memorable birthday though missed being at home a little. The volunteers mde me a card, then my students gave me some chocolate and an Indian birthday card. In the evening I had huge Birthday cake, followed by alot of the ever dependable Kingfisher beer. Then watched the night sky and the brilliant star scape you get in the North of Indi away from the pollution. All in all one to remember November 18 I've added some photo's nowcheck the photo section. The little digital Sony camera I've got is OK, but the quality is no where near as good as my film Canon SLR (contrast, sharpness, colour). Still they give you a flavour of what I've been up to and it's great having a digi camera and being able to upload photos so easily. November 17 Teaching in India and Mccloud GanjHave got really into the teaching this week. I have two classes in the morning, all girls aged between 18 and 22. They are all complete novices at computing but they can speak a bit of English which helps, and they are teaching me a little Hindi everyday. I am crap at languages and this coupled with the short term memory of goldfish means that my Hindi progress is v slow. Anyway they are all keen to learn. They all call me Sir which I quite like. so far we have done some Powerpoint and how to use Windows Explorer and upload photographs. they are picking it up very quickly tho' it surprising how the really small things, like double clicking on a mouse button takes them a lot of practice to get right.
I am now in a place called McLoud Ganj, about 20 kms from where we are teaching. We're on a weekend jaunt here. so far I have not met anyone called McCloud or smoked any Ganj but it is only Friday. McClou Ganj is where the Dalai Lama and the exiled Tibetan governent live, so there are lots of friendly monks wondering about the place. Maybe some scope for some good photographs tomorrow. It is a little backpackerish here. I've got used to just being with the Indians for the last week and not seeing any other tourists.
this coming week we've got alot more teaching, but also a day trek up into the hills. We had a little taster the other day when three of us did a three hour jaunt through paddy fields, rice fields and up to some low hills. Just wonderful countryside, it really is like paradise.
Next weekend we're going to Amritsar, the capital of Punjab to see the Golden temple and other delights
Acha Ji
Matt November 14 more news from Indiawell really getting into things now. have been at our camp for a few days now and it has everything you could wish for except a sit down toilet.
My room is sparse but OK. Killer bed though. Luckily I have my own room (they normally sleep two) so I have been able to take the very thin mattress off the second bed and use it on mine. It just about makes sleeping comfortable
Weather wise it is very hot in the sun during the day and there is a lot of sun and no rain so far. As soon as the sun goes down though it is very cold and I don the full thermal vest / jumper / fleece combo to keep things ok temperature wise
Yesterday we visited all of the local schools in the area and we were assigned our various duties. I am going to be teaching computer studies for the next three weeks to two classes of five girls each. they are older I think at around 14+ and speak good English or so I'm told. Have spent today devising what to teach them and how to make it fun and interesting for them. I just went into town to get a card reader for my digi camera, so tomorrow and I am going to get themselves to introduce themseves by doing a ppt slide on their name, age, intersts and themn I'll take a photo of them and show 'em how to add to the ppt slide. I had not bargained that I would be doing blimmin PPT again so soon. Ha. But I am looking forward to it and think it is the area (computer studies) where I can make the most difference. In the afternoon I will teach English at amother call and help out in the classroom.
The smaller kids we met yesterday are in the main vert polite, lively and intelligent. A few sadder cases among them but generally the childeren seem well cared for.
So my routine for the next few weeks will look something like this
7AM - Yoga
Get up and do group Yoga and meditation for an hour. Much chanting and stretching while the morning sun comes up and the birds start singing. During the mediation bit we are supposed to be thinking about who we are. I generally think about what is for breakfast
8AM - Breakfast
Usually some white toast, some kind of Indian specialty which changes dailey, and either Chai or the ubiquitous Nescafe
9AM - Wash
There are only two taps with hot water so each person has there own bucket which you will, and then wash with a smaller jug. It is not too bad.
10AM - School and teaching
Teach for two hours. tomorrow is my first day so will let you kow more about how it goes then
12 noon Break and prepare for next day
1pm - LUNCH
usually something delcious, curried and vegetarian. Our chef is excellent and has already come up with many choice meals and curries
2PM - workshops
Not started these yet but the will be in Hindi. Indian cooking and other stuff
3PM - Teach
Bit more volunteering in the afternoon. for me this will be English or more computing
4PM - Free time - Cricket
At this time the local lads come up to where we are staying and we get out the cricket stuff and have a knock around. Most of the kids are bloody good at it and the boys are all cricket mad. I got bowled out by one lad who is about 9 on the fist bleedin' ball. Much lauighing from the locals at my obvious deficiency in the noble game and general un-Flintoff abilties. It is all good fun
6PM - Massage
there is an Indian lady who gives not bad IHM
7PM Dinner
More indian delcious-ness washed down with Kingfisher beer. Yesterday I walked a couple of miles and stocked up on this very gluggable Indian beer
8PM Free time
Read, chat, watch TV, etc
10PM Bed
...head under the blankets to keep warm, ear plugs in to keep the noise of all the barking dogs at bay.
November 12 Anaste everyone from Indiahi folks, finally managed to get some time to get on-line at a cyber cafe with a connection faster than a one legged tortoise. note to Philippa - it is quite tricky getting into your space on IE 5. you can take the man out of Microsoft etc etc
Anyway I am here wrting this in a little town the name of which I forget in the Indian Himalaya's. I have not seen the famous mountain range yet due to haze but I am assued that they are there.
So far we';ve knocked off a bit of Delhi, and just about remained sane, marvelled at the truly special Taj Mahal, which manages to transcend being over run with tourists by it's sheer beauty and the scale of it's creators vision and testament to a love lost. And we have also been to Jaipur to see various forts and buy some Indian garb for our volunteering
Everyone anyone ever tells you about India is true. It is mad, crazy, dirty, smelly, by one turn moving and spiritual and the next exasperating. It is amazing and every minute there is something new to gasp at. We have already learnt many things about the culture, the plight of women, the Hindu religion and even a bit of Hindi. I just spent three days staying with a wonderful Indian family in Jaipur and we enjoyed the evenngs comparing our notes from Blighty and one of her once shining jewels of the Empire.
doing OK with the curry. Health wise I have been laid low with a really aggravating cold over the last three days but have begun to shake it off now. I have managed to pass it on to someone else in our group which is good as I have someone to comiserate with. Otherwise enjoying the food, though spicey food for breakfast is hard to take, especially if your normal early morning fare is a nice cup of illy cappucio and Museli. As I write I think I can detect some gurglings in my tummy which may well be advance waring of the onslaught of the dreaded Delhi belly. All part of the experience I fear.
We commence our voluntary work this week. The camp and the nine volunteers I am with are all great. they are a diverse bunch, a little older than I anticipated but quite nice to hang with a different generation.
anyway more soon
Mr Matt November 03 packing - make it stopI have been packing up the flat for most of this week. totally bored with it, especially as I have nto disconnected my hi fi. No telly now either, so using the web to watch TV. Quite good - the BBC2 site is exchellent - caught up on all of the Jack Dee series and the other new one with Catherine Tate.
Been existing on a diet of Special K cereal and store cupboard scaps as it is not worth buying any more food
chucked out 20 bin bags full of crap. and i never want to see bubble wrap ever again. one more day of hell then it is done. |
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