Cara Lampton
I recently traveled to India on a study tour with a handful of students from my graduate department. We spent two weeks in several cities learning about sustainable development issues, meeting with NGOs and student organizations. Posted here are my musings from the trip...Cara Mia
Travel Blog Posts
January 25th 2008
After an early morning departure from Mumbai (which enabled me to see the city and much of its beauty- isn't everything beautiful in the pink first light of day?) we hopped on a plane and headed for Delhi. Our plans having totally fallen apart and reconstituted in the last day or two, were now to get to Delhi, meet a driver and head out to Agra. We were met by not one but two "drivers". Didn't mind the actual driver but our "guide" was a very strange looking and acting fellow, I am sure totally harmless, but still gave off that creepy vibe. Maybe it was just the dyed red hair and the beetle nut stained teeth. No wait maybe it was his rap song ringtone at age 40 and his choice in songs "I wanna ... read more
January 23rd 2008
We left Pune in the early morning and were driven to Mumbai, a few hours drive northwest. Leaving Pune as well as entering Mumbai we noticed the immense amount of development on the outskirts of the cities. Giant new buildings were being constructed all over and by the looks of many billboards, more are to come. It was interesting to have a strong visual of all this 9% economic growth we are always hearing about. The highway was three lanes, in very good shape and without traffic!!! Outside of Mumbai there was a very striking scene of a wetland with a beautiful, (presumably) traditional style small home made of thatched leaves and wood. A small wooden boat was tied up out front on a thin winding river. Behind this lovely scene, looming in the distance were ... read more
January 20th 2008
We took about a 3 hour drive outside of the city (yes 3 hours of tumultuous driving each way) to visit the Appropriate Rural Technologies Institute (near Phaltan), where we learned about some of the technologies they were developing to improve sustainability and livelihood issues in the rural context. Some of the products we learned about included: (nearly) smoke-free wood burning stoves, biodigesters and gas stove, and improved nursery techniques for next crop seedlings. Saw a lot of sugar cane fields- the main crop in the region- and visited a small home in the countryside to see the technologies in use. Our hostess was very proud of her successful crops, her kids, her home and especially her 3 stoves (two gas one smokeless wood burning). We also met with a co-op (all women again) who made ... read more
January 20th 2008
So I always thought the pollution in Los Angeles was bad. And it is! But I discovered the truly amazing sight the effects of pollution when we climbed by car and then by foot to an amazing fort (Sinhagad Fort) overlooking both the city of Pune and the surrounding mountains and river valley. Even at the top of the steepest mountain in the area it was apparent that we were still within the thick band of brown gray smog that rose up as the result of all those millions of vehicles honking and swerving down below in the distance. It certainly made for a beautiful sunset!!... read more
January 19th 2008
After a long drive back to Chennai Airport we caught a flight to Pune. Airport security is very haphazard- I brought on all the liquids I wanted and a security guard tried to ink stamp Anne's leather purse! We arrived in an even smoggier city, Pune. Very dry and hot- it kind of reminded me of Berkeley with the weather, large student population and lots of veg restaurants. :) We met with some of the NGO Prayas-ReLi staff later that evening and heard a very extensive and interesting history of the emergence of environmental movement in India and learned about some of the pressing issues being addressed at the organization. Their goal is to promote transparency,accountablilty and participation. The next day we visited with a ragpickers association, which is basically a co-op formed to support the ... read more
January 17th 2008
We left Chennai for Pondicherry, for our visit to Auroville, an experimental sustainable living community. Before we left we spent the morning with an consumer action group called ToxicsLink. Incredibly bright and empassoned staff, learned a great deal about "how it works" in the Indian energy system and government action (or inaction). On our drive to Pondicherry we briefly stopped at Dakshina Chitra for a little cultural activity, but the hot and smoggy drive was calling our names so we got back in the van (a monstrous thing with a 10ft high ceiling but a very nice and brave driver) and continued on our treacherous journey of unmarked roadblocks, darting cars, motorcycles, bicycles, handcarts, people and, of course, the slow moving and holy, cow. There were definitely a few miraculous 'close ones'. And then it grew ... read more
January 13th 2008
I awoke to (amorous? fighting?) pigeons fluttering and cooing outside my window. Later I discovered they like to build nests in the fan vent in the bathroom. Speaking of bathrooms, a new arrangement for me with the plastic bucket and drain in the corner instead of a shower stall! Spent the first day being groggy but still managing a very interesting discussion on religion with some of the group. Later we enjoyed tea at an old renovated mansion and tried in vain to keep the mosquitoes from devouring us. Failed miserably at socializing/networking with some Indian colleagues. Chinese/Indian buffet at fancy hotel left me in an unbearable food coma! The next day was full of lectures at the University of Madras . Lovely campus that seemed miles away from any city- a park like feel with ... read more
January 11th 2008
Our departure date finally arrived! We embarked on our long journey to India from Newark, NJ airport, with a view from our gate that glimpsed the Manhattan skyline. The first of many "hurry up and wait" situations, having arrived at the airport a solid 4 hours early. Liking everyone already. After a madrugada (wee morning hours) layover in London Heathrow we were flying in British Airways economy style to our first destination, Chennai, India!!! A warm and breezy 2am arrival. Was flooded with smell memory and brimming with excitement despite my blurry, tired eyes. I finally figured out the smell memory...distant ocean breeze! Haha unfortunately it did not last while passing over the raw sewage filled river. Nonetheless, still inspired and excited!... read more
Tot: 0.083s; Tpl: 0.002s; cc: 14; qc: 76; dbt: 0.0563s; 1; s:notus w:www (50.28.60.10); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.7mb
