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1st Indian family, flower market ,bus experience
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In my previous entry I can't believ eI forgot to mention the experience of meeting the family of one of the girls I went to the wholesale flower market with. It was my first time ever feeling a, like such a minority, and b, so novel to someone. When the girls, Jodhi and Anusha, met me at the house (my frien's family house), I thought we were straight off to the market. Oh, contraire mon frere, it was an adventure.
First, we had to stop and wait at a house (don't picture houses like in the US or NZ, instead, when I say house I mean and apartment. I haven't seen a "house" liek at home yet in the city) and were waiting. After about 20 minutes of us giggling together with communication challenges, the girls, who are done with school at 16 to help clean homes to support the family, were given a basket with rice. I assume this was their payment for work. The girls are working instead of going to school in order to support their family. They are so absolutely adorable with full smiles and just an energy you can't do anything but love. They are so curious about American adn so want to go there.
After the basket, we then were en route to the first bus, I thought, but no, instead we arrive at and Aunties house wehre i am introduced. This was my first glimpse of what I imagine to be a more typical indian home (vs. my friends home). It was concrete, with no window lighting so very dark, barely any furniture, very dark or dirty concrete walls, buckets for cleaning in the small entrance to the 2 room flat. Her Auntie was so friendly but we popped in and out as if I was a show adn tell item. So funny.
Then, off to the bus, right? No again. We stop at Jodhis family. And, my oh my they came out of the woodwork! When we entered, I thought we were just stopping in to look and leave. Then, about 15 people, beautiful, smiling faces come out of the little complex of concrete flats. It is hard to explaing but basically about 6 different little concrete rooms with an open place in the middle. I met here grandfather who was so sweet and very good English, her sisters, nephews, nieces, mother, father, etc... All of the women so gorgeous and in their beautiful saris. I tell you what, talk about natural beauty without any hundred dollar lotions, these women have it. Despite the very dusty, old areas they tramp through daily, they just glow! Amazing. They all came out to meet me and I soon was surrounded. The girls wanted me to video and take family pictures so I did. We all laughed as few spoke English. As I left with the my two teen tour guides, they all came to the street and watched us go, waving and saying "
ta-ta" slang bye in tamil language. As we walked away, my heart was so full and it was the first time I had ever experienced such as sense of sincere, immediate sweetness from so many. I was almost teary as we walked along, but of course you can't be or you would be easily run over by a moped or autorickshaw.
Then, off to my first Indian bus experience which was somewhat like Thailand, but take over a BILLION people in a country and it is magnified! Smashed onto a standing room only bus that seems to care less if people hop on and hang off its side or fall off, which it looks as though they must. They literally hop on as the bus is moving and hang by one hand sometimes out the door (which the bus doors rarely close, because alwasy so ful). Then, we grabbed a second bus and actually got a seat. In between, I reckon Jodhi, who Anusha said loves to eat (i think that is what she said) was off buying gum and treats. I am not sure, but I conjecture, my friends Mom, Gowiti, gave the girls fun money for taking me out to the market and they were in heaven! Like any teen girls, they giggled, teased each other and we all laughed alot at the difficult communication - they study englishe here all through school but I reckon it isn't spokent at home in all families so the practice is lacking.
We arrive at the huge flower market and it smells great. I don't know the types of flowers but they were beautiful white, pink and tons of salmon colored ones. The girls go theri daily to buy fresh floweres to sell at night for a profit (well, with a total of 50 rupees earned a day, equalling about $1.25 US I don't know if you can call it profit) to support their family. One stayed wth me at the entrance and I assume it is because I would hurt their bargaining power. Just watching the men with the old fashioned, hand held, scales with a weight on one side loading flower petals on the other was great - not sure how accurate that ends up being.
Then, we walked by the outside flower area and because the girls are here daily I gather the know a lot of people. A group of women weaving flowers into what look like prayer necklaces of some sort, were immediately saying hello and amazed to see me. They touched my skin, squeezed my cheek in awe saying "beautiful" (note, here I am feeling as fat and sweaty as a sumo wrestler and these women, who, with glowing skin despite dirt and likely earning less than a dollar a day, are so gorgeous!). We took pictures, they put flowers in my hair and we walked away. Another man and his child wanted a picture. Then I realised, I should give some money, so I did and they gave me flowers. I still haven't figured out the appropriateness for pictures. They seem to want them and just love seeing the result, but I am not sure.
Then, to the biggest bus station in Asia... Chennai's. We tried to find an info booth so I could get timetables, but to no avail after asking 3 different "info desks". We were totally miscommunication, myself and the girls, so they call my new friend, Gowri (ssiter of my NZ friend) and we clarify. IN the end, we leave with no info and the next bus adventure continues. As I am sitting, fortunately, on the bus smashed towards the seat by the door, I see, in a sea of thousands of Indians, a very cute backpacker with very blond hair roaming right by my bus looking confused. It was like a movie I swear, our eyes locked for a moment that seemed to freeze in time saying "hi, where are you from, can I talk to you? PLEASE!!!!". Instead, it wasn't a movie and my bus took off. I wanted to briefly hop off and just say hi, because this is truly the first time in all of my travles I have ever seen soooo few tourists and felt like such a minority. It is an experience both wonderful and scary and dangerous at times, but whatever it is, I so felt he was thinking the same thing!
Then, off to the home, and back to my hotel escorted with my friend's Mom (very sweet and protective) and off to bed as I needed to wake p at 5am for my trip to Pondicherry.
Peace, Lanah
PS By the way I am writing so much because i can type faster than handwriting and this really is my journal so moving forward read little bits or all, but know I am not necessarily writing my best style as I really am just documenting day to day! :)
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| 8. | 1st Indian family, flower market ,bus experience - Chennai, India Feb 03, 2007 |
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