Simon signing in:
Well, it is one week down in our new place and we are having a great time. The surroundings proved too good that the past weekend Rein and I left the house only once. Bliss.
When we did manage to drag ourselves out, we ventured to just behind our place where there is a massive open field. Our house mate, Mat (Spanish girl, not a guy, long story) knew of a temple which has always been there, but soon it may not. It is surrounded by peaceful open fields with wildlife but all around they are clearing land and many trees to build even more residential apartments. Disappointing.
The temple was simple yet tranquil. We could see why she liked the place so much. It was lovely, but soon it may not.
This past few days though Rein and I managed to again get out of the city, though where we went is officially still called Bangalore, but this is partly due to the rapid expansion of Bangalore. (They say Bangalore will beat Mumbai as India's most populated city, which in turn makes it one of the world's packed cities!)
But so far, it is massive, but not there just yet.
Our friends at Better Future invited us to a place called Visthar where they were holding a program and display for local entrepreneurs and invited too was the Dutch organisation, G Star Foundation (from denim, G Star Raw). Although we did not get involved with the two days, it was lovely for them to invite us. They had offered for us to join the wife of one of the Better Future guys to go to a local stone quarry to see what is happening there as well meet some people and just see another side of India.
We were warmly welcomed by the brothers of the Sacred Heart based just 5 km from Visthar and they presented us was a lovely garland of welcome.
They showed us around their premises where they offer education to Quarry children as well as others and we got to meet some of the kids and one class sung for us too. They too offered us a lovely lunch and I should mention now, we have loved the food here. Incredible. Cannot get enough of it.
Afterwards we went out to the Quarry and to visit their dispensary. They use the dispensary for the quarry workers when they have accidents as there is nothing else offered to them. The Quarry workers have a story.
In India there is many cases still present where Bonded Labour is present. Bonded labour is caused by people hired from the Quarry go into the country side and tempt villagers to leave their village on the offer a lot of work in the cities. They are often given some money (around 1OOO rupees) though when they arrive into the cities, they are told that they must first work off the debt. They are placed at the quarry and are expected to work 6 days per week for 12 hour days at next to no money. They are repaying their debt (in perspective, it equals to be around €16) They have to build their own slums and what little 'pocket money' they get, this has to go on their food. The children too go to the quarry and as they will not sit still, the parents too put them to work.
So, with this Dispensary, they are also providing Day care for the Quarry children. It is great to see so many kids not in awful conditions during the day, though they do have it tough. It must also be said, that most of the workers were given Monday off for a public holiday so the Quarry was empty.
We then proceeded to the mobile dispensary which moves around the villages and provides everyday care items and check ups. We too met some lovely people who just love to meet foreigners and get in a picture, though most go stiff the minute a camera is flashed at them! :-)
The day was wonderful and we were treated so warmly and welcomed. We will go back to visit the kids and will take along our friend Françoise when she is here as we believe she too will love it.
Incredibly, we came across another woman at Vistra. We were introduced to her late evening and found out she was Belgian! She has been living in India for 37 years! She is a nun, though does not dress like. She spends her time making dolls representing normal life of everyday Indians. She has been doing this for over 50 years! The dolls are renown around the for making these dolls and she has produced a few books. She is flown around the world sometimes to also show them. The dolls really do represent everyday life from the reality of suicide in women (marriage problems, dowry shame), to the person on the street sweeping, cleaning shit, selling something. Indians all see something in them which brings home the reality. She was an inspiring woman.
But for now, I'm back home relaxing and Rein too will be home soon. Tomorrow we go to another side of town to a Women's celebration which we both have been invited. Too, we have a scooter now but I need to run it past the mechanic to get a couple of things sorted. The scooter is hopefully going to help our transport needs. We do use Auto-richshaws but these can get expensive using them twice per day.
And this weekend, we go to Hampi. We take the sleeper bus which leaves at 11.30pm and arrives around 8am. Hampi is apparently wonderful so you will soon see our pics and post of this.
Until then, Ciao.
Simon
Well, it is one week down in our new place and we are having a great time. The surroundings proved too good that the past weekend Rein and I left the house only once. Bliss.
When we did manage to drag ourselves out, we ventured to just behind our place where there is a massive open field. Our house mate, Mat (Spanish girl, not a guy, long story) knew of a temple which has always been there, but soon it may not. It is surrounded by peaceful open fields with wildlife but all around they are clearing land and many trees to build even more residential apartments. Disappointing.
This past few days though Rein and I managed to again get out of the city, though where we went is officially still called Bangalore, but this is partly due to the rapid expansion of Bangalore. (They say Bangalore will beat Mumbai as India's most populated city, which in turn makes it one of the world's packed cities!)
But so far, it is massive, but not there just yet.
Our friends at Better Future invited us to a place called Visthar where they were holding a program and display for local entrepreneurs and invited too was the Dutch organisation, G Star Foundation (from denim, G Star Raw). Although we did not get involved with the two days, it was lovely for them to invite us. They had offered for us to join the wife of one of the Better Future guys to go to a local stone quarry to see what is happening there as well meet some people and just see another side of India.
We were warmly welcomed by the brothers of the Sacred Heart based just 5 km from Visthar and they presented us was a lovely garland of welcome.
Afterwards we went out to the Quarry and to visit their dispensary. They use the dispensary for the quarry workers when they have accidents as there is nothing else offered to them. The Quarry workers have a story.
In India there is many cases still present where Bonded Labour is present. Bonded labour is caused by people hired from the Quarry go into the country side and tempt villagers to leave their village on the offer a lot of work in the cities. They are often given some money (around 1OOO rupees) though when they arrive into the cities, they are told that they must first work off the debt. They are placed at the quarry and are expected to work 6 days per week for 12 hour days at next to no money. They are repaying their debt (in perspective, it equals to be around €16) They have to build their own slums and what little 'pocket money' they get, this has to go on their food. The children too go to the quarry and as they will not sit still, the parents too put them to work.
So, with this Dispensary, they are also providing Day care for the Quarry children. It is great to see so many kids not in awful conditions during the day, though they do have it tough. It must also be said, that most of the workers were given Monday off for a public holiday so the Quarry was empty.
The day was wonderful and we were treated so warmly and welcomed. We will go back to visit the kids and will take along our friend Françoise when she is here as we believe she too will love it.
Incredibly, we came across another woman at Vistra. We were introduced to her late evening and found out she was Belgian! She has been living in India for 37 years! She is a nun, though does not dress like. She spends her time making dolls representing normal life of everyday Indians. She has been doing this for over 50 years! The dolls are renown around the for making these dolls and she has produced a few books. She is flown around the world sometimes to also show them. The dolls really do represent everyday life from the reality of suicide in women (marriage problems, dowry shame), to the person on the street sweeping, cleaning shit, selling something. Indians all see something in them which brings home the reality. She was an inspiring woman.
But for now, I'm back home relaxing and Rein too will be home soon. Tomorrow we go to another side of town to a Women's celebration which we both have been invited. Too, we have a scooter now but I need to run it past the mechanic to get a couple of things sorted. The scooter is hopefully going to help our transport needs. We do use Auto-richshaws but these can get expensive using them twice per day.
And this weekend, we go to Hampi. We take the sleeper bus which leaves at 11.30pm and arrives around 8am. Hampi is apparently wonderful so you will soon see our pics and post of this.
Until then, Ciao.
Simon
Nice pictures of your garden! It's a pity I had no time left to visit your home. But I really enjoyed our trip and our time together in Bangalore.
ReplyDeletewarme regards,
Karin
http://studio-inbalans.blogspot.com/