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Published: January 29th 2007
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Clubbing at Athena
Ruban, Alex and Arianne Namaste! Yes it is true I am trying to learn Hindi, I even bought a book, I am juggling this with learning sign language also. Friday was Independence Day so we had a long weekend off which was lovely. My Dutch friend Alex had a friend over from Chennai so we basically partied at 5* hotels all weekend, I’ve only been here two weeks and already associating with the cool kids of Bangalore. Ruban, Alex’s friend from Chennai, belongs to some foreign student/workers union that places people overseas, which is great as have met lots of international people this weekend, from Kenya to Italy, Australia, France, Finland, Ivory Coast, anyway you get the point, I even met my first native speaking friends, from Croydon and the USA. I think it was nice for all of us, everyone else’s English is improving here but ours is deteriorating, I have begun to speak in broken English, and sometimes I think with an Indian accent, its not good, so was pleased to meet them. Also I must tell you I got to drive a rikshaw home the other night, it made my week.
Things otherwise are fine, work is going well, house is bearable, although I was woken again by Susan’s brother playing some weird instrument and belting out some spiritual songs, which is fine at 2 in the afternoon not 7am. I think I need to explain that Hinduism is their religion, sleep is mine, and we should respect each other’s different beliefs. Despite the sleep issue I am embracing Indian culture and nuances very well. I had a big Indian breakfast yesterday, Dosa which is a pancake filled with potatoes, and Chipatti with some sauces to dip, the breads here are lovely, although tearing them with only your right hand is quite a challenge. I am enjoying rikshaws greatly, you only need to walk 20 seconds and there’s one waiting to take you wherever you want, its not quite the same as British taxi drivers where they know every street, you have to explain where you are going, and I never really know, so sometimes it’s a bit of an adventure. Also they sometimes like to take you miles away from where you are heading, on a big round trip, you know they are doing it but you cant argue when you have no idea where you are going, something you just have to get used to until you get to know the roads.
Went shopping on Saturday to Commercial Street, bought some nice ethnic earrings, a pashmina, a bag, some candles in case our power cuts continue like last week, and some books. Some things here are so cheap, my bag cost about 80p, a meal in a really posh restaurant cost about 3 pounds, yet a bottle of Indian wine costs about 11 pounds, my rent is about 30 pounds a month, yet two drinks cost me 8 pounds, so you never know what to expect. I think that goes for most things in India really. Some things here are wonderful, last night there was Hindu celebrations outside our apartment, with dancing and fireworks which was amazing, they enjoy life and celebrate it. People are also very helpful if you ask, and families seem very close. Even the people living in the slum area’s are beautifully dressed, and apparently very clean they seem to be quite proud, however you walk down the normal residential streets and people just dump rubbish. One guy spat out of a rikshaw on Saturday and it hit my foot when I was in another rikshaw.
I think it will take sometime to truly understand how things work here, I don’t think India is somewhere you particularly love and agree with, neither is it somewhere you hate or disagree with, it is just completely intriguing but would take years to understand. I have begun to realise through talking with locals that everything is run by money and who you know, nowhere seems well policed, and if you commit a crime, pretty much any crime you can bribe your way out of it, there are rules and regulations but nothing is controlled or implemented and the legal system seems riddled with corruption. Its hard to grasp how there are huge multinational companies located here, with an obvious emerging middle class, girls go out and earn money, socialise in clubs and bars, yet arranged marriages are apparently still common and the dowry system is still prominent, things just don’t seem to match. Anyway I’m sure my perception of India will change more and more, and my understanding will get better, especially the more I travel.
Not sure what my plans are with regards to living, if I stay where I am it means I can buy lots of lovely Indian things and travel to nice places, if I move I will get my own space and sleep and eat when I want yet I will have less money, so still making up my mind. Anyway have to go as lots of work to do. Again I shall add some pictures at a later date.
Keep up the messages!
Lots of Love
Kate
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Nvl
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Hi Katy...read on
Hi..I really liked ur blogs here ... I just relocated to bangalore and would appritiat if I can meet you... I'm also very much into travelling.. Post me if ya want.. nvlsharma@gmail.com Keep Rocking. :-)