Yet again a few days to catch up with! Today's picture is just of a few local shops on Whitefield Main Road that I pass on the way going to either the school or travel agent. The stairs lead to where I had my clothes made the other week.
Monday I went to Daisy just to do some work with the teachers. I asked about the stray dogs and one of the teachers told me that there is an initiative to get rid of them in the slum type areas but it has not been very successful here. She also told me that a few weeks ago a little girl had been attacked by a group of dogs not far from the school-I am not sure if she died and I am not sure I want to know. It's making me rather sad here at the moment to be honest.
On the way walking to the school I saw several young children working on a construction site. They were lifting or rather trying to lift large pieces of stone. I just can't believe that this type of thing is going on. Also on my walk I saw children in a school yard rehearsing for Sunday's Independence Day celebrations. The were all lined up military style and were trying to get their marching legs in sync in time to a drum. Some of them waved because I had chatted to them last week. They had called to me over the wall asking my name and where I came from. Quite sweet really that they are so fascinated and remembered me. Mind you I don't think there are that many white girls like me walking around the area!
So when I left Daisy I walked up the usual dirt track and past the make shift houses with women washing and men hanging around and children playing, barefoot of course! It was then that one of the dogs started to follow me barking. Several others seemed to join in as I continued to walk. I had never had a problem before but always thought there could be as the dogs here do look a little more hostile than the docile ones that always seem to sleeping on the street.
They were really quite close so I sped up a little and still they followed maybe 5 or 6. I did not want to turn around because I thought they might jump up at me or try to bite me. There was such a noise by now of barking dogs that a man came out form his make shift barber shop and shouted at them. Some retreated and dispersed but the original continued with one other to pursue me. I could just about see them over my left shoulder but was genuinely scared that of I turned round they would attack me, they were still barking, in fact, I might even say snarling. Whatever it was aggressive and I just wanted to get out of Ambedgar Nagar.
I thought that when I got to the top of the track they would go away but it was not until a man with his plough and cows came along that the dogs retreated. By this point I was just about at the dirt track that leads to Whitefield Main Road-phew. I still walked at some pace, I was not quite sure if they would reappear. There has been a man at a small temple who has always said hello to me when I have been to the school but this time I scurried past him and did not stop to look or say namaste.
When I reached the main road I was not quite sure what to do. I thought about calling Kumar and the decided to walk home. As I began walking this man came towards me, lunged for my shoulder and I thought he was going to steal my bag. I kind of grabbed it close to my chest, my green M&S bag with Twiggy on it, and broke into a small run. I felt silly because people look at you here anyway but this was double reason to look. So I stopped for a moment and then crossed the road back to the school where they had been rehearsing earlier. Then, I called Kumar and he picked me up.
He dropped me at the mall, I just felt like I needed some familiarity and went to buy a juice-mango. Then I had a little mooch around the shops and then came home still feeling a little bit shocked by the incidents!
I called Muhan to see if she wanted to meet at the mall but she was up at MG Road. When I got back I decided to go for a swim, it was hot and I like swimming so I thought that would make me feel better. It was a bit odd swimming because there was this Indian guy just sort of hanging around, He sort of appeared by the pool for a bit and then disappeared. I guess he could have been the maintenance chap but it did not look like him. Swam a few lengths, showered quickly at the pool shower which doesn't really work properly and then came home and had a proper shower.
Went to Muhan's later and we watched Kick Ass, at least I think this was all on the same day. That evening there were a lot of power cuts. I had called my dad and while on the phone I was sat in darkness!! I kind of just wanted to talk to someone after the dog and bag incidents.
Should have gone to Bluebells yesterday but for various reasons it did not work out and so I am going tomorrow. Today I was supposed to meet up with the lady who coordinates the curriculum for the nursery schools but she sent a text this morning to say she could not make it. Oh well, I will see her at Bluebells tomorrow. I am going to teach a lesson. Something on numbers I think, maybe food too, perhaps we'll play the market game?
Finally tried Pani Puri yesterday at the mall. It's yum. It 's made of a round, hollow puri, fried crisp and filled with a mixture of water, tamarind, chili, chaat masala, potato, onion and chickpeas. It is small enough to fit completely in your mouth although I did struggle to get the whole thing in! Not something you'd want to eat on a first date! Pani comes from the Hindi word for water and puri (or poori) is the name of an Indian bread made by frying dough in oil.
MT came home rather late and went into work rather early again. I think its all a bit hectic and stressful at the moment! At least we have the Taj Mahal to look forward to this weekend. Oh and I made the final payment for the holiday but still have to go back to collect the tickets-maybe I will do that today, not sure.
So now today is today. Looking into the possibility of going to China which could be quite an adventure as I would go with Muhan . It all depends on finances, visas and the knock on effect for my new visa for the States which has finally been approved-I have seen it in writing, well the scanned version! Also may stop off to see Amy in Dubai on return to London. Lots of possibilities which I guess is good but there is a part of me now that kind of wants to be home-not quite sure where that is at the moment!!
Slightly overcast today! I think this maybe reflects today's blog!
Hi L, I used to work with you at Sedge.
ReplyDeleteTwo anti gangs of dogs techniques that worked for me when travelling were to carry a large stick and brandish it at a pack, or to crouch as if about to pick up a stone and throw it at them. I think India had stick dogs, not stone dogs! You don't have to do it, but they disappear and fast if you do one of those movements.
Never hurry up, you just become more fun to chase.