Sorry about the lack of photos. Tomorrow will be entirely photos.
Sunday:
Today, Alice and Hannah got up Early (read about half 7) to go to an Anglican church, followed by much meandering around Old Delhi (though largely spending time in Haldiram's drinking lime soda or wanting to be in Haldiram's drinking lime soda, given that the heavens opened and Hannah almost became the subject of the Dr Foster nursery rhyme). We had good, sincere intentions of visiting the Red Fort as a group today, but, in terms of paving, it turns out that the road to the Red Fort is much like the road to Hell. Alice and I ended up going together, while the others saw it later. We think. They might have spent the day at a Spa for all we know. Anyway - emotions towards the Red Fort seemed to be mixed, and much of the time was spent trying to prevent locals from taking pictures of us. The Hiss and Claw seemed to work particularly well. Except when Hannah did it at someone who wasn't actually taking a picture of her. She's so self-absorbed. She's even writing about herself in third person on the blog now.
Monday:
New project began today - and we also met the Rickshaw Sports Project, who are working in Delhi for the next week. They seem lovely. The Cambridge to non-Cambridge ratio of Smyle Inn is getting vaguely ridiculous.
Connaught place (google it) is beginning to feel like a level in Inception. Connaught Place is one of The Worst Places in the World, but Stockholm Syndrome is beginning to sink in. We keep ending up there...
So - our placement, the only thing actually worth talking about. We're working with ABHAS (A Better Health and Society) this week, and have about 70 children between the age of 10 and 18. It's Absolute Chaos, but we're really enjoying it. Particular highlights include Holly doing what has now become the Closing Dance, the kids all wanting to shake our hands at the end of the session (70 of them. Go on. Picture it.) and the boys insisting that Ryan get them girlfriends.
Oh, and then a lads on tour (+ Hannah) pilgrimage to the Temple of the Golden Arches, where all is sacred and deep-fried. Thank you, Ronald. Thank you.
Many of the noises that have come out of our mouths over the last few days have been a variation on 'aaaaarrggghh'. We're coping marvelously.
Dear Rickshaw Drivers of Delhi,
You are not playing Mario Kart. Or Grand Theft Auto-rickshaw. Nor does 'No' mean an invitation to a complex battle of the wills in English. No, I will not get into your rickshaw when I live down the road. No, I do not want to go to the Bazaar owned by your friend before going home. Nor do I believe your meter is broken.
To the Rickshaw Drivers we have met who daily restore our faith in humanity, however, we say thank you. And your mode of transport is still the most entertaining in India.
***
a small haiku cycle
oh rickshaw driver
why must you deplete my funds?
can't we just be friends.
head's wet, pesky bird?
rain, but not the normal kind.
smell like a wet dog.
(Ryan Ammar)
***
Luke's side diary
Tuesday 13th August - before bedtime
Really like this group, going from strength to strength!
Wednesday 14th August - mid-morning
Held up the group this morning. Must have been those green chillies yesterday!
Wednesday 14th August - evening
I'm sure I can hold on...this film can't be that long.
Thursday 15th August - 3am
Well shake it up baby! Twist and Shout!
Thursday 15th August - 4pm
Feeling quite shoddy, but at least I've got Ryan and Josh. Three best friends who can't be separated no matter what happens. We'll be laughing about this in Amritsar tomorrow. Ryan's come down with the lurgy, and so has Josh, but I think he just wants to fit in. We've sung songs about a little boy
Friday 16th August - 3pm
Ryan and Josh are a no go for Amritsar. Could I go on my own? Yeah. Definitely. It'll be fine. I've got locks. This is fine.
Friday 16th August - 8pm
Watching Braveheart. Feeling quite Sikh.
Saturday 17th August - Late afternoon
Ryan and Josh have left. Standing is not the one, has never been the one, could never be the one. Broken the record for most visits to the toilet. Like Connaught Place it's white, covered in stains, and though I have to go there a lot, I never, ever want to go back.
Sunday 18th August - Afternoon
Weakness has set in. Starting to make friends with the shadow of my squeegee and pants hung up to dry.
Monday 19th August
FREEDOM! SWEET FREEDOM!
Sunday:
Today, Alice and Hannah got up Early (read about half 7) to go to an Anglican church, followed by much meandering around Old Delhi (though largely spending time in Haldiram's drinking lime soda or wanting to be in Haldiram's drinking lime soda, given that the heavens opened and Hannah almost became the subject of the Dr Foster nursery rhyme). We had good, sincere intentions of visiting the Red Fort as a group today, but, in terms of paving, it turns out that the road to the Red Fort is much like the road to Hell. Alice and I ended up going together, while the others saw it later. We think. They might have spent the day at a Spa for all we know. Anyway - emotions towards the Red Fort seemed to be mixed, and much of the time was spent trying to prevent locals from taking pictures of us. The Hiss and Claw seemed to work particularly well. Except when Hannah did it at someone who wasn't actually taking a picture of her. She's so self-absorbed. She's even writing about herself in third person on the blog now.
Monday:
New project began today - and we also met the Rickshaw Sports Project, who are working in Delhi for the next week. They seem lovely. The Cambridge to non-Cambridge ratio of Smyle Inn is getting vaguely ridiculous.
Connaught place (google it) is beginning to feel like a level in Inception. Connaught Place is one of The Worst Places in the World, but Stockholm Syndrome is beginning to sink in. We keep ending up there...
So - our placement, the only thing actually worth talking about. We're working with ABHAS (A Better Health and Society) this week, and have about 70 children between the age of 10 and 18. It's Absolute Chaos, but we're really enjoying it. Particular highlights include Holly doing what has now become the Closing Dance, the kids all wanting to shake our hands at the end of the session (70 of them. Go on. Picture it.) and the boys insisting that Ryan get them girlfriends.
Oh, and then a lads on tour (+ Hannah) pilgrimage to the Temple of the Golden Arches, where all is sacred and deep-fried. Thank you, Ronald. Thank you.
Many of the noises that have come out of our mouths over the last few days have been a variation on 'aaaaarrggghh'. We're coping marvelously.
Dear Rickshaw Drivers of Delhi,
You are not playing Mario Kart. Or Grand Theft Auto-rickshaw. Nor does 'No' mean an invitation to a complex battle of the wills in English. No, I will not get into your rickshaw when I live down the road. No, I do not want to go to the Bazaar owned by your friend before going home. Nor do I believe your meter is broken.
To the Rickshaw Drivers we have met who daily restore our faith in humanity, however, we say thank you. And your mode of transport is still the most entertaining in India.
***
a small haiku cycle
oh rickshaw driver
why must you deplete my funds?
can't we just be friends.
head's wet, pesky bird?
rain, but not the normal kind.
smell like a wet dog.
(Ryan Ammar)
***
Luke's side diary
Tuesday 13th August - before bedtime
Really like this group, going from strength to strength!
Wednesday 14th August - mid-morning
Held up the group this morning. Must have been those green chillies yesterday!
Wednesday 14th August - evening
I'm sure I can hold on...this film can't be that long.
Thursday 15th August - 3am
Well shake it up baby! Twist and Shout!
Thursday 15th August - 4pm
Feeling quite shoddy, but at least I've got Ryan and Josh. Three best friends who can't be separated no matter what happens. We'll be laughing about this in Amritsar tomorrow. Ryan's come down with the lurgy, and so has Josh, but I think he just wants to fit in. We've sung songs about a little boy
Friday 16th August - 3pm
Ryan and Josh are a no go for Amritsar. Could I go on my own? Yeah. Definitely. It'll be fine. I've got locks. This is fine.
Friday 16th August - 8pm
Watching Braveheart. Feeling quite Sikh.
Saturday 17th August - Late afternoon
Ryan and Josh have left. Standing is not the one, has never been the one, could never be the one. Broken the record for most visits to the toilet. Like Connaught Place it's white, covered in stains, and though I have to go there a lot, I never, ever want to go back.
Sunday 18th August - Afternoon
Weakness has set in. Starting to make friends with the shadow of my squeegee and pants hung up to dry.
Monday 19th August
FREEDOM! SWEET FREEDOM!
Glad you are having fun, blog is becoming a little deranged sounding, is hannah ok?
ReplyDeleteWeakness has set in. Starting to make friends with the shadow of my squeegee and pants hung up to dry.
ReplyDelete