Nothing like ‘need’ to encourage human inventiveness – how does that old quote go ‘to invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk’ I have the junk and am becoming more inventive by the day. I got my new fridge last week much to the interest of the staff and the neighbours. They cannot understand why everyone in Scotland has a fridge and yet it’s so cold and few people have them here and it’s so hot! But given that the fridge cost the equivalent of 5 months wages for most people it hardly surprising they are few and far between. People have been in to my house to look at it! VSO provide the fridge I hasten to add. But after I unwrapped it I was left wondering what to do wit the packaging – there is no refuse collection here, you just chuck your rubbish out onto the street and it eventually disappears. Either eaten by animals, picked over by human scavengers or blown away on the wind, but a large fridge sized cardboard box and expanded polystyrene packaging is bit of a problem. But then I had an idea – recycle! I have made a photo display system (now hanging on my kitchen walls) and a shoebox for all the unnecessary shoes I brought from home. Cannot believe I bought 2 pairs of high heels with me – obviously had no concept of life here what so ever. Most people go bare foot and those that do wear shoes its flip-flops. I feel very guilty sitting in my little house with my fridge, knowing that no one else has one except the man who sells milk and cold drinks. I often wonder what they all think of me – they call me Madam, even though I constantly tell them my name, always stand back and give me right of way and just generally grovel – and I hate it. Apart from the boss lady who treats me the same as she treats all the staff and her husband – with contempt.
Having read the both of the books I brought with me ages ago I spend most evenings listening to the BBC world service on my laptop, or listening to my ipod and catching up with e mails. I have been doing some (very bad) sketching and once a week I allow myself the luxury of watching one the DVDs Beryl and Jaynie gave me – accompanied by a vodka and mango juice. I had a very funny e-mail from those 2 ladies – obviously sent on a Friday night after a few glasses of red wine – thinking of you girls!
The journey to the office in the mornings never ceases to amaze me. Looking out over the fertile farming land to the hills in the distance reminds me of the carse of Stirling looking toward the Ochils; but for the men wearing enormous coolie hats herding goats, water buffalo and cattle; and the women collecting the cattle dung and spreading it out to dry for fuel. When I got to work today 2 members of the new cultural project team came in to the office and one of the men insisted on singing for me! It’s a lonely life here most of the time as I am alone in the office all day, and alone in the evenings – but hey I am in India and getting good at making my own entertainment!
I will post some information about Janajagarana who I work for anyone who is interested – and some photos.
9 Responses to “Inventiveness”
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January 17th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I am the first to write iin this edition. I was just taking a peek when Carol’s next entry appeared. Good news about the fridge. I wonder does your boss have a fridge? She will soon, if not. You can make ice lollies for the children. what with I wonder? No egg boxes, no lollie sticks, ah sterile twigs. We are having a typical Saturday afternoon, planning to take in a filme tonight- the new Bobbie Carlisle film summer, directed by Kenny Glenning. I wonder what film you watched Carol. You could run a wee cinema club, with ice lollies at the break. You will be a local celebrity. “Braveheart Cinema” all seated round your lap top. Keep up the news x
January 17th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Beryl has some good ideas for a film club.
I have just sent you some recipe suggestions but I didn’t realise you had a fridge and can get milk, you should be able to make pancakes and girdle scones as I imagine there is plenty of flour around for all those chapattis!
Don’t get maudlin about being lonely. Think of the experience.
Hope to come and see you soon.
Sue
January 18th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Another great update Carol. A couple of my friends (including Marie the Optometrist) are now reading, and we all agree you’ve got a real talent for writing. I am also enjoying reading all the comments too. When you come back we’ll have to have a blog party so we can all meet each other, I’d like to meet Beryl – she sounds great fun.
I went to see “Slumdog Millionaire” at the cinema last week – highly recommended to everyone reading this blog. It is about a boy from the Mumbai slums who goes on to win the Indian version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” It is such an excellent feel-good movie.
I have some recipes from a cooking lesson I had in India, I wonder whether you’d be interested? The woman cooked all the food on a two ring gas stove on the floor infront of us. You will certainly be able to get the ingredients!
Although, the locals would probably prefer it if you started brewing Irn-Bru and making Edinburgh rock – most of the Indian people I met had such a sweet tooth.
Mum and Dad tell me they’ve been investigating coming to see you; I am very jealous. I’ve booked flights to Cork, a friend from my running club is having her hen-do there and I’m going to spend some time with Marie too. I have also booked flights to Italy for a friend’s wedding in June.
Claire x
January 19th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Hi Mum,
This is my first comment on your wonderful blog. I’m glad to see that you’ve not left your museum skills behind – a display and a storage system made from recycled fridge packaging!! And remember, a woman never knows when she might need a good pair of heels. Perhaps you could give them to the ghostly maid to wear so that you can hear her coming?
Missing you like mad,
Evie xxxx
January 19th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Nice to hear from Eve. Does the maid have small, medium or large feet? That’s a great idea Eve. Where are the Haddow boys these days?
Now that Claire, Eve, Sue and I are organised, perhaps Carol you would like to come to your party when you get back.
I am impatient for more of your writing, oh friend. The January nights are long and dreary.
January 19th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Just to let you know, as I expected, the NZ trip planned for February is not now happening. So we are looking to visit you sooner rather than later. Sue would also like to go to Sri Lanka as she is always talking about how much your Dad enjoyed his time there!
Fortunately we have not been put off by the Rough Guide which is not overly complimentary about Orissa in general or Berhampur in particular which it describes as ’sights are non-existent’ and ‘moving-on is most people’s first priority’!
However, the arrival of 200,000 turtles on Gahirmatha Beach, 130km from Bhubaneshwar, having swam across the Pacific and Indian Oceans would be worth seeing. Just a case of finding out which three or four days they are expected in February or March – perhaps I might be able to make contact with a fellow ranger!
Magic blog – keep up the good work.
Bill
X
January 21st, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Hey did someone mention a party?? Put me down. glad to hear that all that time watching Blue Peter has come in useful. If you start to have thoughts about making Tracy Island I should get out of the sun ( Thunderbirds!!) great to hear about the fridge. you could open a cocktail bar! How’s the work going? have you done any work yet?? Or is it all lazing around drinking cool drinks on the veranda? Only joking, don’t get down, we are all right there with you. Pass the ice!!
L & X Rosemary
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Hic !- that was Summer Directed by Kenny Glennan- good film
carol Reply:
January 24th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Friday night!!!!