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Published: August 1st 2006
Delhi did not show me the pollution, poverty or numerous cows I was expecting. Although prevalent, not to the extent I had prepared my self for. Arriving early Monday morning, to join the Volunteer programme, we had to do Delhi in a day. I think we did this rather successfully via AC Taxi. The highlight of the day was driving the back streets of Old Delhi to the Jana Masjid Mosque (biggest Mosque in India) and sitting on the steps watching the sun set over the Red Fort. We watched the many people climb the steps after the call to prayer, and group of young men gathered behind us to watch us. Pan was on the menu that afternoon, this is various local spreads, nuts, seeds, and mint wrapped in a leaf. An old guy on the side of the road, with maybe the dirtiest hands I have ever seen made this tasty little wrap for me… I have no idea why I didn’t get sick from this??
The journey to Jaipur was via ‘luxury’ coach - at least it had AC. As we reached the outskirts of Delhi, towering glass offices rose up at from the slums below, the contrast was a little distributing between the haves and the have nots. The iDEX (Indian Network of Development Exchange) offices, were pretty grim, looked like some kind of govt room from the 70’s with microphones and all. We got hosted that evening and the following 2 nights with a local family, there were 2 of us with our family who were fantastic… and western toilet (jackpot!). It was a nuclear family, only one son. They often had students through so Heilda (from Belgium) and I felt very comfortable, we were welcomed warmly. We had a very frank and honest discussion with the 25 year old son about culture, religion, family, alcohol and smoking; intriguing to say the least and I think we shocked the socks off him. Our host mum took us to Central Park each morning at 6am for a 30min walk, it was great to see the ladies in their trainers - saris flowing behind - as they marched around the park. I think she had always wanted girls, so she really enjoyed taking us shopping for traditional Indian clothes, which we have to wear at the work sites. It was great she took us shopping as iDEX dropped us in the middle of Jaipur to shop for 1 hour and we all made disastrous purchases. That aside, now I have 2 embroidered shirts and 3 suits; light army green, eclectic blue and apricot … also trousers with sequences on the bottom. Yip I look smashing, will post photos at some point. The only site seeing we did was the Amber Fort and optional elephant ride, I decided against the ride as the poor elephants looked like they wanted to commit suicide. The group also attended a fab Bolloywood movie called Fanaa; it was an epic tale with twists and turns, over dramatic stares, no kissing, lots of sexual tension, posing and brilliant hip shaking and wobbly dancing. I think I am going to have to get it on DVD for sure.
Of course the main purpose for the 3 days in Jaipur was to be inducted to the voluntary programme we were about to embark on. To be honest, it was completely disorgansed, we were getting conflicting information and the time keeping was terrible, i.e. making us very later returning to the host families, which in my book is very rude. Their powerpoint presentations could also do with some work. I don’t think I learnt anything that wasn’t in the pre-departure information…. Welcome to India! There was some improvement on the last day when we learnt about Hindi and the cast system. I think this part of the programme could be condensed allowing us to get up to the Camp site quicker. Obviously the feedback form got a good working out with some constructive suggestions. Over all I was a little disappoint with this aspect of the programme thus far, however we had confidence once we reached the Camp all would be well
The group is the largest they have ever had, 45 in total. There are many 'young guns' here, either just finished school or Uni. The group is from a wide range of countries, but mainly Germany and the UK. There is some happy divisions in the group by country and age. On the whole it is a great set of people. Rather amusing as some of the younger ones seem more interested in when the Camp ‘party’ will be and workshops, rather than the work we are all here to do. I have made close friends with a good set of people so I am happy with that aspect.
Friday afternoon we set out on 21hrs worth of travel; from Jaipur to the Camp at Palampur. The train was delayed by 1 hr 30mins, so we melted in 95%!h(MISSING)umidy and fly’s sat on us after munching on the human ‘poo on the track’. By the time we scrambled on to the train, I think we could say ‘poo in the track’ in 3 different languages. After 2 hours of the name game, yes 2 hours… we had to move carriages. Disaster trying to move all the luggage in the dark between carriages, but one poor group had to move again in the middle of the night. It was all a bit chaotic, half iDEX’s fault and the train conducts who were on a power trip. On a happy note we only spotted 2 mice and I was on the top bunk, excellent decision on my part. We arrived a 3 hour bus ride away from Palampur in the middle of a monsoon down pour. The group made a break for the bus, there were a few ‘turtles’; slipping over backwards in the mud with packs on, flalling arms and legs, pretty funny, not so good for the people on their backs. After helping one girl up I boarded the bus soaking wet and tired. Once arriving in Palampur all the horror of sleeping with mice and the turtles was forgotten. The hill station is nestled in the foot hills of the Himalayas, absolutely stunning scenery!
The first port of call was more information we had received in Jaipur and meeting the Camp staff. After that we went to visit the different accommodation options. There were 3 locations; Nicheel, Shurinda and I quickly secured the 3 person room in the first guest house, we are lucky enough to have our own bathroom, woohoo. Western toilet, shower and hot water, however it is VERY basic. And our other friends are next door, so it has worked out perfectly, having many a laugh dealing with the basic conditions here. Our room is SO damp the bed is wet, no idea how to combat that situation given the time of year. Our place has a large balcony were I can do my yoga looking over the Himalayas… I can’t asked for more than that!
Sunday was a free day, so we braved the public buses and left for Dharamsala. The buses were an experience in themselves, good lord! People hanging off the side, on the roof, driving at a crazy pace around corners and squished like sardines… another ‘welcome to India’, moment. We arrived in at 11am and trekked up to Mcleod Ganj; the residence of the 14th Dalai Lama and Tibetan govt in excile. Some of the girls struggled with this 1hr walk, god knows how they will cope when we do the Himalayan trek in a few weeks time. Mcleod Ganj was a fab little town, lots of hippies and Tibetan goods for sale. We had lunch over looking the main part of town, watched the clouds roll in, then visited the Tsuglagkhang Complex. The high points were watching the monks chant and the museum; it was very moving and pulled a few heart strings. What the Chinese have done to Tibet and its people is atrocious. The bus ride back to Camp was even more of an adventure, lucky we had two folk with us who could speak Hindi and Punjarb or we would still be somewhere out there. 2 buses, many photos by the locals, and a cab ride later we arrived back at Camp, all a little tried. Being dropped on the side of the road, in the dark to wait for a bus and then not knowing the address on the Camp was not overly clever. All in all, a grand day out!
Today we got into what we are really here for, we visited most of the work sites and decided what we wanted to do. There was a complete lack of process for deciding who does what… ahhhhh!!!! 45 people all yelling and carrying on. Some of us oldies took control and sorted it all out with the iDEX rep, very stressful situation and unduly difficult. In the mornings I am teaching teenage girls and women basic computer skills and in the afternoon I am teaching conversation English to girls and women, I am happy with these activities and should be able to help most effectively at these work sites. The morning activities start tomorrow and the afternoon next week, for the rest of this week we are learning some Hindi, something I wish I had learnt before I got here to be honest. So it all kicks off tomorrow, ekkk. I am a little nervous but looking forward to it, lets hope I can help some of these girls and women even if just a little.
Photos
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Mum & Dad
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NZ Calling
Great to hear from you. What a time you are having in that wonderful country. Thanks for the great travel news. Hope your first day went to plan. We are so proud of you taking on this exciting adventure. Hear soon Mum & Dad Keep well. Love you heaps. XXXXXX