It was Republic Day on Monday, a national holiday unless you work for my organisation in which case you will be at work (except me and the boss), so I did what most of us do at home on a national holiday and headed for the seaside. To a small resort called Gopalpur-on-sea. It’s a lovely little place unfairly described in the Rough Guide as a ‘desultory collection of crumbling bungalows and seafront hotels standing idle’ I think it has lots of charm, and is set to make come back! There is a long sandy beach, where fishermen launch their long pointed boats, and ride the waves out. Returning to haul in their catch and spread out the fish and the nets to dry. Families were enjoying the beach, picnics; games of cricket and women bathing in the sea fully clothed! There was one western woman swimming and sunbathing in her swim suit and nobody was even giving her a second glance – despite the dire warnings we had been given that this was a no go activity. Anna and I have decided we are going to take our cossies next time and go for a dip in the waters of the Bay of Bengal!
It was a hot day so the sea breeze was very welcome, but later in the evening I could feel my forehead burning. Obviously I had missed a bit with the old factor ‘why bother going out in the sun at all’ lotion. I need to be more careful as I don’t want to end up like prune! But at least I have a bit of colour as I feel extraordinarily white! We climbed up the lighthouse for a fantastic view out to sea and inland to the hills, and returned home worn out.
We also visited Anna’s Indian friends, lovely people, who had their Swami staying for a few days. He was explaining to us some of his teachings, and quest for the meaning of life. I don’t think there is any great meaning but Anna seemed more convinced! I am learning more about Hinduism and the various gods, the two epic texts, and the various stories (Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana etc.) And the origins and philosophy of yoga and all that meaningless chanting we did at the beginning of the class!
And work – the reason I am here! I have been out into the ‘field’ again. As we drove further and further into the countryside the road got smaller and smaller until eventually it petered our altogether and we came to a very peaceful, sleepy village. We were there to identify people with cataracts or treatable eye infections, and following identification of a problem; the villagers were herded into rickshaws and taken off on the long journey to the eye hospital. Most of the people were old and frail and I wished I could make their lives less harsh, and give them a few comforts. They all seemed so bewildered and hardly spoke at all unless spoken to. ‘Sir’ treated them as if they lower beings, which of course they are in relation to him. He strutted about with his head lens on pretending to be a doctor, which I found quite amusing. (But he’s ok really) After the ‘clinic’ I wandered off towards the school, and was invited in to see teaching in action. The school was very well organised and the classroom for the youngest pupils – about 60 little tots doing their reading lesson – was cheerful with lots of pictures on the wall. This school was so much better than the one we were at for the Children’s Day. The village leaders caught up with me and gave me the guided tour I must admit I was impressed with this community, and their hard work and determination. Could teach our community forums a thing or two.
I have completed a draft HR policy and drafted content for a web site for the organisation. Now I have some feelings of achievement, and just need to persuade boss to engage a web site designer!
One thing you need is lots of patience, things happen very, very slow. Actually I have found it very hard going this week and I have been missing all the manic activity and my colleagues at NLC. The constant battle against the insects and the dirt is pretty wearing too. As is the people following me around when ever I go out, but still it’s an experience having the life of a ‘celeb’
I love the comments on the blog and all the e-mails are very much appreciated. I will definitely be at that blog party!