We are delighted to be returning to Auroville for the month of August. This will give us an opportunity to again experience India and the magnificent community within Auroville. I will again be posting on this blog upon arrival.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Some Photos
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| Even the cows wander down the street in search of cover |
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| Two cultures collide - the boy hawking candy floss and the dressed up tourist girl |
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| April |
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| This monkey visited for a few days. He drove the dogs nuts as they tried to figure ways to get at him. Instead, he sat on high throwing the odd thing at the dogs - truly taunting them |
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| A lady coming down the street in Pnodicherry |
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| Butterflies were everywhere |
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| A boy and his sister |
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| A natural photo subject |
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| she was a little reluctant although her dad wanted me to take her picture |
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| Refuge from the heat comes in many places |
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| Surya and her husband invited us to breakfast on our last day. She is involved with child protection - she is a strong, valuable force who has such gentle ways with the children |
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| The umbrella helps the driver - I am sure that must be true |
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Monsoon
The heat builds and seems to sustain itself. Someone here described that the wind comes from inland bringing with it the intense heat I have spoken about in prior posts. It seems like the heat is more intense as the monsoon is waited upon. Books have been written about waiting for the monsoon, chasing it and relishing within it. It is the stuff of legend here.
Indeed, locals celebrate the monsoon as bringing relief from the heat that has been here since at least mid April.With the monsoon, the heat is broken. There is the bang of thunder and the flash of lightening and the burst of rain. Then the rain - oh - and then the rain.
As the rain arrives, you need to adapt. The dirt roads turn into rivers of mud. Its thickness can be like wet cement and you can slide on a moped quite easily. Trucks going past have little regard for the puddles or where their splash may end up - wait a minute - that's true everywhere in the world I think!
Rain predominates the conversation. After all, it is life giving. Crops will grow, ravines will swell, the ground bursts to life.
The monsoon also seems to be a boon for the mosquitoes who are attacking in bomber like formations. You type a few words and then swat a few of them. If you are slow, and they have their bite into you, then when you kills them your hand is covered in blood - at least it is your own.
Leaving for the airport in the Monsoon was a treat like I cannot describe adequately. Picture, it is midnight and there are no street lights. It is raining so hard that it is like a big hose aimed straight at the windshield; the wipers cannot get the water away; the road has waves on it coming towards you; there is unmarked construction. Thoughts of death arose!
Indeed, locals celebrate the monsoon as bringing relief from the heat that has been here since at least mid April.With the monsoon, the heat is broken. There is the bang of thunder and the flash of lightening and the burst of rain. Then the rain - oh - and then the rain.
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| Adapting to the rain |
As the rain arrives, you need to adapt. The dirt roads turn into rivers of mud. Its thickness can be like wet cement and you can slide on a moped quite easily. Trucks going past have little regard for the puddles or where their splash may end up - wait a minute - that's true everywhere in the world I think!
Rain predominates the conversation. After all, it is life giving. Crops will grow, ravines will swell, the ground bursts to life.
 |
| A street scene with rain, cows, umbrellas and life carrying on |
Leaving for the airport in the Monsoon was a treat like I cannot describe adequately. Picture, it is midnight and there are no street lights. It is raining so hard that it is like a big hose aimed straight at the windshield; the wipers cannot get the water away; the road has waves on it coming towards you; there is unmarked construction. Thoughts of death arose!
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| Hiding from the rain is a challenge |
Friday, August 20, 2010
Contradictions
As a westerner, I am privileged here in more ways than I can contemplate. Many of these, cause me discomfort. A very simple example is going out to dinner. Tonight we will hire a taxi to go to Pondicherry and have dinner. We will spend 5-600R (around $14) and will eat at a level that so many Indians would not even imagine. In addition, we will have hired a taxi who will sit outside waiting for us while we eat. On the other hand, we are helping him earn a living.
Yet, I am struck by this as a result of seeing some drawings and statements written by 10 year olds who were asked what child protection means. One talked about not having enough food which made her sad; another being afraid of parents; another who drew a picture of not feeling safe.
I am safe in my life. I do not worry about being able to put food on the table. I do not worry about a parent abusing me. But I also realize that these same challenges exist in Calgary. They are just so evident here.
Yet, I am struck by this as a result of seeing some drawings and statements written by 10 year olds who were asked what child protection means. One talked about not having enough food which made her sad; another being afraid of parents; another who drew a picture of not feeling safe.
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| These children just came up to me as I was riding through a village and asked me to take their picture. Their mother sat on the sidelines amused by the whole thing |
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Heat
The sun bakes on days like this. You begin to realize that the wind blowing does nothing to cool. It scrapes along the skin wiping whatever moisture there is away leaving what feels like a sandy landscape. As you move about, your eyeballs dry out as the hot wind reaches in to suck up that liquid as well. This is the scenario of a hot day in south India. It is 37 degrees with about 80% humidity. In this heat you would expect the clothes to dry - they don't. It's a bit too humid.
By night, as the sun drops down and the humidity stays, you skin develops a coating of stickiness. A cold shower becomes delicious.
For most of the day, the power has been off so things like the internet have been elusive. But it is the fan that is lost - the chance for the movement of air from the ceiling.
Yet, it is also wonderful. In the later afternoon we hopped on our mopeds and wandered between villages. We were delighted to see Rajakumari in one village. She is an ama in our guest house - part of an incredibly hardworking cadre of women who essentially make the places work. They are jewels. Here in our guest house I have come to really enjoy them despite the fact that we each have about 8 words in the other person's language.
Our trip is nearing its conclusion - there is one more massage, three more dinners. We have been honoured by an invitation for breakfast at an Indian home on Sunday. This will be a highlight.
I have met some powerful and brave people here who believe in the rights of children. Some of what we take for granted around child protection is still only a conversation in its infancy here. But there are women and men willing to keep it going knowing that it may be generations before vast change occurs. But change is happening and these amazing people are making it happen. I have been blessed to meet them.
By night, as the sun drops down and the humidity stays, you skin develops a coating of stickiness. A cold shower becomes delicious.
For most of the day, the power has been off so things like the internet have been elusive. But it is the fan that is lost - the chance for the movement of air from the ceiling.
Yet, it is also wonderful. In the later afternoon we hopped on our mopeds and wandered between villages. We were delighted to see Rajakumari in one village. She is an ama in our guest house - part of an incredibly hardworking cadre of women who essentially make the places work. They are jewels. Here in our guest house I have come to really enjoy them despite the fact that we each have about 8 words in the other person's language.
Our trip is nearing its conclusion - there is one more massage, three more dinners. We have been honoured by an invitation for breakfast at an Indian home on Sunday. This will be a highlight.
I have met some powerful and brave people here who believe in the rights of children. Some of what we take for granted around child protection is still only a conversation in its infancy here. But there are women and men willing to keep it going knowing that it may be generations before vast change occurs. But change is happening and these amazing people are making it happen. I have been blessed to meet them.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Some random photos
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| The family vehicle |
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| A recent visitor |
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| Our brilliant cook - Sandorea |
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| Two cultures meet |
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| April in front of our room |
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| Matrimandir at dawn |
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| At the Matrimandir |
Monday, August 16, 2010
Memorable moments
One of the things in life that creates memorable moments are the small, unexpected encounters with people which remind you how wonderful people really can be. This happened today. While driving on the main road, I was about to turn right so I didn't bother passing the pick up truck in front of me. In the back were men and women on their way home from work. So I smiled, took off my cap and bowed - creating all kinds of laughter and waving back. A brief but joyful moment in time.
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