So then........India.

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Asia » India » Andhra Pradesh » Visakhapatnam
February 28th 2014

Saved: January 16th 2024

Ello you lovely people, happy Friday! Time for another update on my adventures. This post is simply going to be a brain dump, on previous posts, such as the one about Iran I spent many hours writing and rewriting, but this one is just going to come as it comes out of my mind. So. Indian Cities. I never thought in a million years I would find myself enjoying any big Indian city, but to my absolu... Read Full Entry

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Truth is Indian cities come alive at night.

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Indian bars are pretty dingy male dominated places. Especially in Muslim areas like Hyderabad. But they are the only places you can get a drink. A friendly approach combined with my long experience with dealing with drunk men ensures trouble free evenings.They are in good humor until you try to leave.....

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India is one of those places where single Cigarettes are sold because many people cant afford the luxury of a whole packet. Buying a whole packet automatically makes you stand out.

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I always say that you should never get on an Indian train with a full stomach because it wont be long before someone feeds you. Indians are lovely.

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This is Vulkia, son of Katthik and Subhadra, the couple who invited me to the wedding. He was a very happy little chap.

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Ok, so the Hindu Wedding ceremony begins with the couple (and family) slowly making gestures to make the next step forward. Almost like an argument. A negotiation.

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The woman sits in the a basket and makes prayers and offering to various gods.

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And after a few hours she is lifted by the Maternal Uncles to be seated by the groom.

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The woman stays hidden from the man. The couple only meet about three weeks before the big day. And even then they are chaperoned by both sets of parents. Might seem crazy to us but at least it does away with Internet dating.

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So the girl and the chap have to stay separated by a big flag thing.

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The curtain is lifted. And now I pronounce you Man and Wife! Well sort of, the ceremony continues for several more hours.

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Throwing rice seems to be universal. Didn't we used to throw rice at newly Weds? Until it contravened the Health and Safety at Food Act 2009. Then we reverted to confetti. Which contravened the Waste Disposal Act 2012. God I wish we were free in the UK.

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Hindu Weddings, especially for the wealthy Brahmam caste are lavish affairs.

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This is the only picture I took of my hosts, because I am rubbish. But thanks to Katthick, his wife Subhadra and his wee son Vulkia.

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This is an advert to come to the UK. Specifically a happy Indian family prancing away from Cardiff Castle. The whole tourist industry survives off selling dreams (including Lonely Planet). Not knocking Cardiff Castle, but would you fly from India to see Cardiff Castle?

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In the big cities, while traveling on a Tuk Tuk this is your main view. These things run on LPG, a very clean fuel, so this smoke is pure oil smoke. This is killing India cities.

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My driver was stopped and fined for driving wrong way up a road. See, organized chaos. And the Police here take a decent cut of the fines home with them. Corruption is big here,

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Big up Bristol. All crew surrounding. It is amazing how many Indians have heard of Bristol. I am struggling to find one that hasn't. We punch above well above our weight.

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Beauty in the chaos.

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All Muslims have to visit Mecca at least once in their life. You might remember during my long stop over in Addis Ababa airport on my last trip I met a load of Ethiopians heading to Jeddah to say hello to Allah.

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Sending Indian labour to the Gulf Countries is big business. I worked out that the salary for the pool cleaner would equate to around 270 pounds a month. But they do get to go home to visit their families every two years.....

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So then........India.

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