9th april 2005
"We were up very early in order to catch our Bangalore-Delhi flight, and we were so used to nipping to Goa that this flight seemed really long, although it was actually only 3 hours. On arrival in Delhi, we noticed immediately, how un-polluted the air was in comparison to Bangalore. Sean discovered that this was down to all the buses and rickshaws running on gas rather than petrol. The difference was obvious and very unexpected, Delhi being a more populated city than Bangalore.
We were to see many strangely Indian sights on our weekend break, the first being a completely naked man walking towards oncoming traffic in the middle of a dual carriageway.Thankfully, i didn't see him from the front, and Sean couldn't get to his camera quick enough, otherwise I'm sure we would have photographic evidence of such."
10th april 2005
Our drive from Delhi to Agra was thoroughly entertaining, and the 4 hours passed relatively quickly with all the sights. Many of the roadside shops, even buildings had trees growing through the middle of them or protruding through the tiles on the roof. Some even looked as if they had been built around the trees, as if cutting them down was too much work. In Bangalorian villages it is quite normal to see little roadside shacks, where men have shaves, but on our journey they didn't even have shacks. Men were set up with a stool, a razor and a bowl of foamy water, right there at the side of the main road. Many men with foamy faces perched under trees lined our road to Agra.
We noticed that unlike Bangalore where all the rickshaws are autos, many original rickshaws (ie bikes) were still in operation in Delhi. Its normal for vehicles to be carrying many more people than you'd expect but as we got further and further out of the city, the numbers just grew and grew, and we were shocked to see some, that were designed for a driver and 3 or 4 passengers, carrying what must have been 15 or 16 people???!!! We drove passed one jeep that was so crammed full of people, that they were hanging out of the back door trying to hold it shut - at 100km an hour!!
At one very populated road junction, where all the articulated lorries seemed to be resting, many young boys scurried through the traffic. We soon realised they were trying to sell water to drink, but not in the usual bottles, this was in fact in plastic bags, about the size of a bag of crisps. Not quite sure how easy it would be to drink, and needless to say we didn't purchase one to find out, in fear of certain death.
We stopped about halfway through the journey at a little tourist restaurant, and got some drinks and a packet of sweets. Two young girls were chatting happily on their hands and knees in the corner whilst scrubbing the marble floor. A completely thankless and tedious task, but they seemed happy enough, which made me warm to them. I gave them my unfinished sweet packet to share, which thrilled them, and they sat close by sucking and chewing whole heartedly. I wondered when might have been the last time they had enjoyed a childhood treat??"
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Friday, 29 July 2011
When Mummy & Daddy lived in India (extract from journal)
21st March 2005
“Today i was on MG Rd collecting one of Sean’s birthday presents, when i was approached by a little beggar boy, waving a piece of paper in my face. Now this could have been a very elaborate begging technique, or a very sad truth. Either way it worked and i handed over Rs100.
The paper, he was so enthusiastically waving in my face, was allegedly from a school. It was headed paper with stamp and signature, so looked authentic enough. It read in bold type and proper English, that the boy was deaf and dumb, and very poor, but that he was trying to raise the below funds, in order to attend the school. It requested that you donate money, and give your signature. The school fees were Rs 5000 per year (£60).
As i said, a very elaborate con if not the truth. I hope he raises the funds.”
“Today i was on MG Rd collecting one of Sean’s birthday presents, when i was approached by a little beggar boy, waving a piece of paper in my face. Now this could have been a very elaborate begging technique, or a very sad truth. Either way it worked and i handed over Rs100.
The paper, he was so enthusiastically waving in my face, was allegedly from a school. It was headed paper with stamp and signature, so looked authentic enough. It read in bold type and proper English, that the boy was deaf and dumb, and very poor, but that he was trying to raise the below funds, in order to attend the school. It requested that you donate money, and give your signature. The school fees were Rs 5000 per year (£60).
As i said, a very elaborate con if not the truth. I hope he raises the funds.”
When Mummy & Daddy lived in India (extract from journal)
25th March 2005
“We caught the Air Deccan flight to Goa, which was of course late, and when we finally got on board we swore we would never fly with them again - just as we had done last time.
We were staying in backpackers paradise, the Bridge and Tunnel, Palolem, and on arrival were told we had been put in THE best hut. It was right at the top of the rocks, overlooking the beach and sea. The view from our 3 tiny windows was vast and like nothing i’d seen before.
When we stepped out our door there is a 2 ft wide pathway that goes down the rockface. The huts are incredibly basic, but ours is considered plush as we have an attached toilet and shower. A lone double bed stands in the corner with a mosquito net hung over it - we brought our own sheets.
Unfortunately, after staggering back down the beach after dinner, having had a few drinks we discovered that there was no mini bar, and therefore we had no water, and worse than that we were meant to have brought our own toilet roll!!!!”
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Let me tell you about your Grandma
Your grandma is the most amazing, elegant lady you could ever have the priveledge to meet, and I use the word lady, in the original sense of the word. Completely selfless, when it comes to those that she loves, she would happily give loved ones anything that she has, and expect no thanks and nothing in return. She’s compassionate and empathetic to everyones needs, and always puts others before herself. When I was growing up, obviously completely unbeknown to me, she often went without to provide the best for me (a red duffal coat that she fell in love with for example) She wished for me to experience all the things that she had not, so my childhood years were filled to the brim with exciting activities and hobbies - piano lessons, violin, swimming, ballet, horseriding, drama and countless fun days out. I really did have a wonderful, carefree childhood. Your grandma is young at heart and loves travel and experiencing new cultures. In fact, it was her love of travel that made me fall in love with the world. Your grandma is incredibly intelligent, yet never pushes her opinions upon anyone, and only gives advice once asked, and even then, it’s delivered respectfully and gentley.
She’s the strongest person I know, so when daddy and I were getting married, your grandma took her “mother of the bride” speech very seriously, and despite her nerves and usually shy demeanour, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house, and a perfect, emotional speech was delivered. Although, her humble nature wouldn’t allow her to acknowledge it, she’s beautiful, glamorous and elegant, and has a personality to match. I only hope that I can be half as good a mummy to you, as she has been to me, and that one day you will feel just as incredibly proud to be my daughter, as I do hers.
She’s the strongest person I know, so when daddy and I were getting married, your grandma took her “mother of the bride” speech very seriously, and despite her nerves and usually shy demeanour, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house, and a perfect, emotional speech was delivered. Although, her humble nature wouldn’t allow her to acknowledge it, she’s beautiful, glamorous and elegant, and has a personality to match. I only hope that I can be half as good a mummy to you, as she has been to me, and that one day you will feel just as incredibly proud to be my daughter, as I do hers.
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