Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Back to Blighty
Doesn't time fly. Here I am back where I started, sitting in my flat in Croydon at my Mac.
My last 2 weeks in India flew by. From the Vipassina retreat to the streets of Jaipur for a whistle-stop tour of the pink city, then back to Delhi for outreach, Mansha's wedding and home! Unfortunately I came down with a nasty cold and bug during my last week, probably as I was trying to keep up the one meal a day regime inherited from the Vipassina course. My body's not used to not being fed at least once an hour!
It was almost touch and go whether I would be able to attend Mansha's wedding and I considered delaying my flight home when I developed an ear infection. Thankfully I made it to the wedding - what an experience. It all started in the beauty salon where we went to be tarted up Indian style and have our Sari's put on. My Sari was bright pink, and my eye-lids were made to match my outfit. I must say we felt er, slightly overdone....thats a bit of an understatement! I felt like a Bangle's reject from the 80's and I think Vix felt pretty similar!
The wedding itself was amazing. Strangely for the second time since arriving in Delhi, the heavens opened and the rains fell. We were taken to the wedding by bus. The wedding reception was huge, with a capacity for about 1000 people, although unfortunately no ceiling so we got quite wet! Trees were covered in fairy lights, music blared out from the speakers, women dressed in beautiful Sari's and copious amounts of food was served. There was a fruit salad bar, food hawkers offering all things Indian, loads of fried nibbles and all that followed by a full-on sit-down Indian meal - Grrrrrrrrrreat!!
The wedding was very different to what I have been acustamed to. The Groom arrived on a white horse being led in by his family who were dancing wildley in front. Mansha arrived 10 mins later in full regalia and looked like she was straining to walk under the weight of her outfit. Within minutes she greeted her finace on a podeum with both of their families, there were lots of singing and shouting, a firework of coloured paper went off and that was it. The weird thing was that the rest of the wedding guests were more interested in the food than in the wedding. But, it was good food I suppose!!
Saying goodbye to the kids at outreach was sad. At Ashok Nigar some of the children spontaneously broke into song and dance and our very own variety performance unfolded . It was so special and Im glad I had my camera with me.
It was so sad saying goodbye to the Indian Volunteers who have been assisting us with translation at the outreaches, especially Vikram who's a star. Im really going to miss him. He's one of those people who brighten up a room the minute he steps into it. Always a smile on his face and a nack of making you laugh. If I could have put him in my pocket and taken him home I would have.
So, my adventure has come to an end. Im sad but happy to be home to see my partner and friends. It was soooooo nice having a hot shower, a glass of red wine and a goats cheese, sun-dried tom and basil baguette - heaven!
India will always be a part of my life now and I'll never forget the wonderful experience. The mangey dogs in the streets, the Buffalows pulling heavy loads, bumpy rickshaw rides, crazy auto rides on the other side of the motorway, the children at the outreaches, beautiful sari's, vibrant markets, wandering cows, numerous weird and wonderful Gods and temples, wild noisey wedding processions, Superstitions, funny Hinglish saying's and names like 'On Government Duty.... Supersucker cum jetter', being called 'Mam' all the time, cold bucket baths, crazy shopping trips, Bollywood films, and of course Vicki Mam.
One of the hardest things about leaving India was leaving my mate Vicki behind. Having spent 5 months in each other's pockets we've slept together in a range of hotels, mud huts, and rooms, taught together, eaten together, showered together, been sick together and even poo'ed together! When you spend so much time with someone and then suddenly they're not there anymore its like loosing your right arm. It feels really weird without her, but I can't wait to catch up when she gets back to the UK in April. Vicki Mam- come home soon! xx
In the meantime, Vicki is leaving for Rajisthan tomorrow to do some travelling before coming home and Bob has taken over. Another lady called Judy is due to arrive and so the project goes on. Sudanna one of the Chakma Monks has had some great news that his visa application for the UK has been accepted. I look forward to seeing him in Narborough.
I hope you've enjoyed reading my Blog, Ive certainly enjoyed writing it and sharing my wonderful experiences with you. I hope it provides a taste of what its like volunteering in Delhi, but if you would like more info, please contact Sister Modgala at The Buddhist House in Narborough or check out the Amida Trust website - www.amidatrust.com. The Buddhist House, 12 Coventry Rd, Narborough, Leicestershire, LE19 2GR. +44 0116 2867476.
Namo Amida Bu xx
My last 2 weeks in India flew by. From the Vipassina retreat to the streets of Jaipur for a whistle-stop tour of the pink city, then back to Delhi for outreach, Mansha's wedding and home! Unfortunately I came down with a nasty cold and bug during my last week, probably as I was trying to keep up the one meal a day regime inherited from the Vipassina course. My body's not used to not being fed at least once an hour!
It was almost touch and go whether I would be able to attend Mansha's wedding and I considered delaying my flight home when I developed an ear infection. Thankfully I made it to the wedding - what an experience. It all started in the beauty salon where we went to be tarted up Indian style and have our Sari's put on. My Sari was bright pink, and my eye-lids were made to match my outfit. I must say we felt er, slightly overdone....thats a bit of an understatement! I felt like a Bangle's reject from the 80's and I think Vix felt pretty similar!
The wedding itself was amazing. Strangely for the second time since arriving in Delhi, the heavens opened and the rains fell. We were taken to the wedding by bus. The wedding reception was huge, with a capacity for about 1000 people, although unfortunately no ceiling so we got quite wet! Trees were covered in fairy lights, music blared out from the speakers, women dressed in beautiful Sari's and copious amounts of food was served. There was a fruit salad bar, food hawkers offering all things Indian, loads of fried nibbles and all that followed by a full-on sit-down Indian meal - Grrrrrrrrrreat!!
The wedding was very different to what I have been acustamed to. The Groom arrived on a white horse being led in by his family who were dancing wildley in front. Mansha arrived 10 mins later in full regalia and looked like she was straining to walk under the weight of her outfit. Within minutes she greeted her finace on a podeum with both of their families, there were lots of singing and shouting, a firework of coloured paper went off and that was it. The weird thing was that the rest of the wedding guests were more interested in the food than in the wedding. But, it was good food I suppose!!
Saying goodbye to the kids at outreach was sad. At Ashok Nigar some of the children spontaneously broke into song and dance and our very own variety performance unfolded . It was so special and Im glad I had my camera with me.
It was so sad saying goodbye to the Indian Volunteers who have been assisting us with translation at the outreaches, especially Vikram who's a star. Im really going to miss him. He's one of those people who brighten up a room the minute he steps into it. Always a smile on his face and a nack of making you laugh. If I could have put him in my pocket and taken him home I would have.
So, my adventure has come to an end. Im sad but happy to be home to see my partner and friends. It was soooooo nice having a hot shower, a glass of red wine and a goats cheese, sun-dried tom and basil baguette - heaven!
India will always be a part of my life now and I'll never forget the wonderful experience. The mangey dogs in the streets, the Buffalows pulling heavy loads, bumpy rickshaw rides, crazy auto rides on the other side of the motorway, the children at the outreaches, beautiful sari's, vibrant markets, wandering cows, numerous weird and wonderful Gods and temples, wild noisey wedding processions, Superstitions, funny Hinglish saying's and names like 'On Government Duty.... Supersucker cum jetter', being called 'Mam' all the time, cold bucket baths, crazy shopping trips, Bollywood films, and of course Vicki Mam.
One of the hardest things about leaving India was leaving my mate Vicki behind. Having spent 5 months in each other's pockets we've slept together in a range of hotels, mud huts, and rooms, taught together, eaten together, showered together, been sick together and even poo'ed together! When you spend so much time with someone and then suddenly they're not there anymore its like loosing your right arm. It feels really weird without her, but I can't wait to catch up when she gets back to the UK in April. Vicki Mam- come home soon! xx
In the meantime, Vicki is leaving for Rajisthan tomorrow to do some travelling before coming home and Bob has taken over. Another lady called Judy is due to arrive and so the project goes on. Sudanna one of the Chakma Monks has had some great news that his visa application for the UK has been accepted. I look forward to seeing him in Narborough.
I hope you've enjoyed reading my Blog, Ive certainly enjoyed writing it and sharing my wonderful experiences with you. I hope it provides a taste of what its like volunteering in Delhi, but if you would like more info, please contact Sister Modgala at The Buddhist House in Narborough or check out the Amida Trust website - www.amidatrust.com. The Buddhist House, 12 Coventry Rd, Narborough, Leicestershire, LE19 2GR. +44 0116 2867476.
Namo Amida Bu xx
# posted by charliefarley @ 8:07 AM 
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