If I could sum up the driving in Delhi in three words they would be- close to death. There are actually rules apparently, but no signs of rules anywhere. You don't give way to anyone, you honk your horn and plough right out of junctions into the stream of traffic, there are no lanes, you make your own. You don't slow down for anyone. I think the general rule is that as long as you honk your horn you can do anything. Its quite funny when a bus changes lane because the rickshaws kind of all get funneled between it and the pavement. Thats the other thing- there are no good cars. They are all dodgy. We had a bus break down next to the YMCA today and behind it the whole axle was just lying on the street. How does that happen?
A rather responsible rickshaw driver today actually stopped to answer his mobile phone, except he crossed over two lanes of oncoming traffic to do it.
We had two rickshaws full of volunteers, several times they almost became one rickshaw full of volunteers, but we passed each other so close we could give each other high fives, almost hold a conversation.
As soon as I get the chance I'll try and upload the video.
Saturday 30 August 2008
Friday 29 August 2008
It has begun
Right. Well, I'm here, is the main thing about today. A lot of sinking in happened on the plane- going to India, leaving home etc etc, but really in the grand scheme of things all that matters about today is that things have gotten underway and are no longer a fantasy.
Delhi is every bit as mad as people say it is. Most of the bazaars are underground. They're a bit like bomb shelters- really not the best design for a shopping mall. Anyway, you can't so much as look at something without the shop owners harrassing you, so you can't buy anything, all you can do is take in how odd a place it is.
Also twice now I have been led to a "government emporium" by a man who charms me into thinking he is showing me some sights, while "practising his English" It was funny both times though. They're really good at luring you there:
Man: Hello , where you from? I no try to sell you things, I practise my English.
Tom:Wer're from Britain.
Man: Ah, Britain. where going today?
Tom: anywhere, just see some sights
Man: i will show you. how about the sikh temple... the sikh temple's good
Tom: ok
Man: I take it you have a head scarf to cover your head
Tom: No
Man: oh never mind theres a "government emporium" we can go to on the way. Follow me...
then he takes us to this little shop which sells indian stuff...but not the sikh temple.
Its all really good fun though, we've had to retreat back to our hostel at intervals to have a rest from the heat and the intensity of the place.
every now and then you see completely disturbing poverty
everyone stares at you as well. a man even took me for his husband.
all the other guys are really nice and were having great fun. I really can't wait to get up there and start doing my "job"
Its a really huge place, India. It feels like theres far too little time to fit everything in.
Delhi is every bit as mad as people say it is. Most of the bazaars are underground. They're a bit like bomb shelters- really not the best design for a shopping mall. Anyway, you can't so much as look at something without the shop owners harrassing you, so you can't buy anything, all you can do is take in how odd a place it is.
Also twice now I have been led to a "government emporium" by a man who charms me into thinking he is showing me some sights, while "practising his English" It was funny both times though. They're really good at luring you there:
Man: Hello , where you from? I no try to sell you things, I practise my English.
Tom:Wer're from Britain.
Man: Ah, Britain. where going today?
Tom: anywhere, just see some sights
Man: i will show you. how about the sikh temple... the sikh temple's good
Tom: ok
Man: I take it you have a head scarf to cover your head
Tom: No
Man: oh never mind theres a "government emporium" we can go to on the way. Follow me...
then he takes us to this little shop which sells indian stuff...but not the sikh temple.
Its all really good fun though, we've had to retreat back to our hostel at intervals to have a rest from the heat and the intensity of the place.
every now and then you see completely disturbing poverty
everyone stares at you as well. a man even took me for his husband.
all the other guys are really nice and were having great fun. I really can't wait to get up there and start doing my "job"
Its a really huge place, India. It feels like theres far too little time to fit everything in.
Friday 1 August 2008
Hey
Hey, thanks for visiting the blog.
I won't be around next year, I'll be in India teaching English so I've set this up incase anyone's interested in how I'm getting on.
I'm leaving on the 28th August- first to a monastery, then to a school. Both places have good internet access so I should be updating this quite a lot. I've been told Bhuddists are fun loving guys, so maybe I'll have some humerous stories that come out of my time.
Tom x
I won't be around next year, I'll be in India teaching English so I've set this up incase anyone's interested in how I'm getting on.
I'm leaving on the 28th August- first to a monastery, then to a school. Both places have good internet access so I should be updating this quite a lot. I've been told Bhuddists are fun loving guys, so maybe I'll have some humerous stories that come out of my time.
Tom x
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