Zero to do. Like can't even do the washing because there is no power to fuel to washing machine.
They're not big on windows here. Therefore, I am sitting in the middle of the house on a plastic chair that is coloured and moulded to resemble marble. Classy. After much observation I have come to the generalisation that Indians place so very much emphasis on what others think. Take a wedding for example, the bride's parents pay. Also known as 'I am going to invite as many people as I can and make everything as gaudy and lavish (two words that NEVER BOND) as possible so everyone can know how rich, or not, we are.
For me, I just really do not care for others approval.
A shower here consists of a bucket and a jug. The water comes from the well that you pumped it from manually. The heat comes from the heating rod you put into the bucket of water for ten minutes, while you are more than careful not to touch. Super safe.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Before the cake was mixed.
Isn't it funny how you can be in the same city and same school and same university as someone for years and years yet never even know them, never care of them. But you travel to the other side of the world for just a few weeks, a fraction of your life, in the most remote village in the middle of Punjab and meet this person. Crazy.
Who ever expected things to be like this. To have no hot water. Sometimes no water at all. Huge power cuts everyday. Internet that cuts out constantly. Having to heat your own water and put it in a bucket and use a small jug to pour it over yourself and this is called your 'shower.' I have already learnt so much. I feel like ok, I can go home now. I have learnt it all.
Who ever expected things to be like this. To have no hot water. Sometimes no water at all. Huge power cuts everyday. Internet that cuts out constantly. Having to heat your own water and put it in a bucket and use a small jug to pour it over yourself and this is called your 'shower.' I have already learnt so much. I feel like ok, I can go home now. I have learnt it all.
Needed; a Boeing 777. NOW.
After a week in the city of Chandigarh and twelve days to count away from home and away from S, I, and my parents I am struggling; immensley. Being in the city I was fine (after the initial shock of madness.) I couldn't understand why I had been told that this would be hard and so very different, I was still waiting on culture shock to rear its ugly head.
Currently I am fucking worried as S has found out some terrible news. He works for an NGO called New Light who provide care and eduction for children whom's parents are sex workers. Last night one of the protitutes tried to kill herself and burnt 95% of her body. She is in hospital, but cannot talk with her lips burnt together and a body that is unrecognizable as a human S said.
As I was texting back when I found out this new my phone died and while you might say well whoop de do massive deal city slicker get over it, I was worried to death about how he was feeling about such a sight, and with power cuts so big there was no telling when the power will come back on to charge the phone. Many people will never experience this in their lifetimes, and while S does not regret it he also does not know what to make of it either. It is not something you can really draw conclusions about but I shall try my best.
In trying to help someone through something like this and after much research (yes I did use google...bff. Jay but sez but jay- it's a pj sorry) loved ones aren't the best in helping others deal with things like this. We expect much from them when really no one is equipped to deal with such a thing, let alone give advice on it. But of course we try. Heartless beast if you didn't! (Sorry, admittedly trying to bring some humour into such a dark entry.)
For S I think the part that is probably the hardest about dealing with this is the fact that no one can really relate to such an event and in India this is a relatively common occurance and therefore makes it easy for many to brush off like they have seen it all before. It saddens me that the human soul can become so nummb to such tradgedy and loss like this. But in saying this is not uncommon in the 'Untouchables' it does not make it any less valued as the probable loss of a life.
Currently I am fucking worried as S has found out some terrible news. He works for an NGO called New Light who provide care and eduction for children whom's parents are sex workers. Last night one of the protitutes tried to kill herself and burnt 95% of her body. She is in hospital, but cannot talk with her lips burnt together and a body that is unrecognizable as a human S said.
As I was texting back when I found out this new my phone died and while you might say well whoop de do massive deal city slicker get over it, I was worried to death about how he was feeling about such a sight, and with power cuts so big there was no telling when the power will come back on to charge the phone. Many people will never experience this in their lifetimes, and while S does not regret it he also does not know what to make of it either. It is not something you can really draw conclusions about but I shall try my best.
In trying to help someone through something like this and after much research (yes I did use google...bff. Jay but sez but jay- it's a pj sorry) loved ones aren't the best in helping others deal with things like this. We expect much from them when really no one is equipped to deal with such a thing, let alone give advice on it. But of course we try. Heartless beast if you didn't! (Sorry, admittedly trying to bring some humour into such a dark entry.)
For S I think the part that is probably the hardest about dealing with this is the fact that no one can really relate to such an event and in India this is a relatively common occurance and therefore makes it easy for many to brush off like they have seen it all before. It saddens me that the human soul can become so nummb to such tradgedy and loss like this. But in saying this is not uncommon in the 'Untouchables' it does not make it any less valued as the probable loss of a life.
The Village.
I hate this. I want an internship in Chandigarh. This place is full of narrow- minded, uncultured Indians. I have nothing to do here, I cannot even move into the intern house for some bullshit reason, as per usual. I cry all the time. Mu and Albi bear are getting soaked. Everything about this place angers me. I often think, yes I can come home now I have learnt my lesson. I have been on the phone to Mama and Dad considering going to Kolkata to work with Sebastian as the solution. I also do not want to feel though as if I have slightly let myself down a little if I do, by running away from something I have not yet started. It would be easy for my to make all the excuses and lies to others about why I moved to a different internship or came home early but it is impossible to convince myself. I will give it two weeks here and reconsider my options. I could never live here. Save me now.
What culture shock?
Everyone talked about having to get used to this culture shock in the frist week. [Jesus, I am almost going to have to pause 'Stop This Train'- John Mayer, I cannot concentrate and consequently keep going to write down what I am singing.]
I feel fne with everything here, I could/ already have gotten rather used to this city. Perhaps also natural to feel slightly guilty about spending copious amonuts on Tommy Hilfiger and FCUK already. Yes, that is what I came to India for. NOT (Borat voice.)
Now I really am split in two about whether I still want to go to the village or not. I need to start work though, Dr. Destructive rears his ugly head when I have too much time on my hands.
I feel fne with everything here, I could/ already have gotten rather used to this city. Perhaps also natural to feel slightly guilty about spending copious amonuts on Tommy Hilfiger and FCUK already. Yes, that is what I came to India for. NOT (Borat voice.)
Now I really am split in two about whether I still want to go to the village or not. I need to start work though, Dr. Destructive rears his ugly head when I have too much time on my hands.
It's weird because someone is in MY ensuite.
Only in India. It is weird. I am pretending to be asleep. Awkward? Apparently not. He takes the newspaper and his phone in everyday.
Althought this city is grubby, (what fucking part of India isn't?) The people are pretty laid back, although the driving here is batty. I hate the constant use of horns. It really pisses me off to be brutaly honest.
Althought this city is grubby, (what fucking part of India isn't?) The people are pretty laid back, although the driving here is batty. I hate the constant use of horns. It really pisses me off to be brutaly honest.
What is S indulging in?
Well, today has been non- eventful so far. Me wonders what S is up to right about. Now. I am very much looking foward to getting to the village. Being stared at everywhere isn't ideal. I was close to saying it wears off after some time, but it never really wore on.. So to speak.
India. Also known as Dr. Unconventional.
It is completely normal here to argue outright in front of guests. In a car. Where you cannot escape. Everything about India is SO UNCONVENTIONAL. Noise. Heat.
As I wrote this in my journal I changed my font as I said 'I am sick of writing like this, I shall write like this now.' Righto.
As I wrote this in my journal I changed my font as I said 'I am sick of writing like this, I shall write like this now.' Righto.
T3.
There is too much airconditioning here. T3 is much cooler than T2. 24 hours apart is already too long. What to expect from India: sickness? Apparently Chris Martin cheated on Gwyneth Paltrow with Kate Bosworth. What an idiot. I adore S. 13 more hours of flights till my (un)preferred destination. Floor= bed.
S, you are the butter to my bread, the breath to my life.
S, you are the butter to my bread, the breath to my life.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Monogamy
Monogamy- is it the answer? I used to think yes in the old days where the Notebook rang true in my ears and thought that was how love went. I would like to believe it is out there and that is what I end up with. At this point and time I doubt that. It isn’t that I don’t want to end up with this, I do (but not more than anything.) I would be truly happy with my life if I managed to be an Olympian. I know this without doubt. Tis a tricky subject to reckon with when I have little knowledge...maybe I will stop here.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Old Women
Sitting in B4 lounge at Changi Airport waiting to get on my plane home, listening to two old ladies and thinking I hope I have something far more intruiging than this to talk about when I’m ancient. I think growing up and living in a small country is hard. It makes you think naïve and seem insignificant to an extent. I am happy to have travelled- 8I have seen what I am missing out on; or not so much.
Back to geriatrics; Ines and I shall grow old and talk about just the same things we do today. Love life or lack there of, drinking (a little too hard) and how the fuck we are going to make a difference on this world before we depart. Excuse the pun- in terms of the circumstances, ha! Little do we realize that we aren’t so insignificant and small in the big scheme of it all. We will start some kind of frightfully intelligent and resourceful business and be the next big name. Watch this space. Now and always.
Back to geriatrics; Ines and I shall grow old and talk about just the same things we do today. Love life or lack there of, drinking (a little too hard) and how the fuck we are going to make a difference on this world before we depart. Excuse the pun- in terms of the circumstances, ha! Little do we realize that we aren’t so insignificant and small in the big scheme of it all. We will start some kind of frightfully intelligent and resourceful business and be the next big name. Watch this space. Now and always.
Thrilling
Exciting day. Isn’t it funny what excites us? I think so. Seeing Sebastian and Valerie whilst talking on the phone and walking down Riccarton road was exciting, waiting 51 minutes to eat my sushi was not but now I’m just hangin’ out for it; here goes. Mmmm so good because for once it isn’t that mashed chicken cat food SHIT. I am getting my hair done copper tomoz excitement centraaaaaaal. I am waiting for Jacq to come into the library as well as put snaps up from Saturday night. I am missing hanging out with Scut and I was going to email this to him but then I saw him and after raping his phone with a million texts I thought I ought not to, will tell him instead. The ladies in Mr Snips in UCSA never get any customers and they are all fat, probably because they just sit there because….they have NO CUSTOMERS. The chicken in this sushi is quite sweet. Interesting. Not really, humble apologies. The shoot for Synergy sounds effing cool, they have a choice tangerine dress for me, it is my colour boo yah! And the bikini shoots will be like, sex on legs HELLO. I am excited even about going to training and dryland today, what the hell is wrong with me. I am not excited about going to work tomorrow night nor training tomorrow morning. I HAVE never appreciated getting up at 5.30am YUCK. But that’s tomorrow and this is today so peace!
p.s purple Powerade is overrated! But purple isn't.
p.s purple Powerade is overrated! But purple isn't.
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