So its the penultimate day in India so I think that today's picture is quite apt. I took it on the ferry back to Port Blair.
Right first I just need to quickly finish the holiday. So on the Friday we thought we were going for a little driving tour around the island but then we were told that the driver would be picking us at three to catch the four thirty ferry. We assumed it would be the quick one we came on but oh no! We got to the ferry port after the driver turned about half an hour late and then he had lost the tickets. He then asked us for the snorkeling money which we thought was part of the package. We gave him half the money which was a good job as we had to buy new ferry tickets or stay on Havelock another night!
So with ten minutes to spare we boarded the ferry which was the government two hour ferry. We had seats except the seats were bunk beds below deck. Honestly it was gross! Hot, insect ridden with a spattering of what looked like blood on the wall! We left our bags and went up and stood on the front deck for most of the journey which actually turned out to be really rather nice as we watched the sun set as we sailed back to Port Blair. We had been trying to see a sun set or sun rise all week but for one reason or another never made it.
Back at Port Blair we had to disembark from our ferry onto another which was a little scary as we had to walk across a plank over the water and we had our luggage! Luckily there was a driver waiting for us to take us to the hotel. We arrived and I got a bit stressed because a lot of our clothes were still damp from the island and I just wanted to get everything sorted whereas MT just wanted to relax and sit on the balcony. I think that was our only moment all holiday but I soon got over it, unpacked and we wet for a drink. MT was not hungry but I managed to eat tempura and Massala cheese toast! I think the chap serving us must have thought I was right greedy heffa!!
Next morning we had negotiated a later check out otherwise it would have been seven. We packed up and went for breakfast looking out over the sea. The driver picked us up and drove us to the airport. I kept thinking how nice it was just to have the sun shining and fresh air and no cars honking their horns.
When it was boarding time we just waited for the queue to die down as once again as seems to be the case here it was a bit of a push and shove and again no need because seats had been allocated.
We had a long wait at the airport at Chennai but it was fine. MT watched a DVD, I read my book and watched the TV, as well as the people, as it was showing lots of the Ganesha celebrations all over India.
There was a Ganesha parade here on Sunday. I got up and could hear music and drums and so went outside to see what was going on. There was a group of men dancing in the road and a tractor with a big Ganesha on top of it. Some of the men were clearly drunk as I could smell the alcohol when they came up to me and tried to get me to join in. I declined and carried on filming which was much to some of their delights as they danced in front of me! Some of the children asked me where I was from and one even asked me if I was Hindi! It was quite a sight to see as they danced along the road stopping at odd intervals and other people, well actually only males joined in with the dancing.
Yesterday I went to the school just up the road to have lunch with the teachers. Originally we were going out but some of them were ill so the trip was cancelled. I went with Kumar to the sweet shop as I just wanted to say thank you and when we got there oh no it was closed.
Actually it was not closed they were cleaning which is quite refreshing to see here at times, but luckily the van arrived with freshly made Indian sweets. I wanted the non milk kind as they last for longer and with Kumar's help we tried a few. I settled on just one type as they were not too sweet. They were triangular with silver paper that you can eat, I think it may be real silver! I also bought a box for Kumar's mum to say thank you for the special Ganesha sweets she had made for us. They looked like mini Cornish pasties and went rather well with a cup of tea!
I didn't realise but the lunch was all organised for me! We ate and then some of the teachers danced and made me join in. It was such good fun and then they gave me a vase, picture and card and inside each of the teachers had written me a little letter. Honestly I was so taken aback, I never expected it and even the chap who set up the charity that funds the schools said he had no idea about the gifts!
Some of the teachers talked about their life stories. One had lost her parents when she was a girl at a train station and was taken to an orphanage to live, another with two very young children had split up with her abusive husband, another who has a mother-in law who does not speak to her because she works and the stories continued. It really makes what they are doing quite an achievement and I am really quite honored to have met and worked with them.
I had a bit of a bitter taste in mouth about some of the Indian people here but this certainly sweetened it. This was partly because the other day when I was going out on one of my little Whitefield adventures, a lady had just driven in and she had shopping in the back of the car. She literally barked at these two people who work I guess as kind of cleaners here to come and help her.
I did not understand what she was saying but I could see by her gestures what she wanted. I did not like her tone one bit and I wanted to say okay you might be in a higher caste and have more money but please they are human beings and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. I think I may have felt a little protective because the lady who had been barked at smiles at me every day that I have seen her here or waves. We don't talk but her smiles and waves have been so refreshing and warm and kind in an environment that has sometimes felt rather unwelcoming. It's funny how such simple gestures can mean so much
I think going into the schools and working with the children and the teachers has maybe given me the wealthiest experience of India. I could have come as a tourist and just been driven around and visited the temples and the malls but I am so glad that I got involved. I don't think I would have gone to the slum areas and I think you need to see this even if it is challenging and at times upsetting as well as all of the amazing things like the Taj Mahal and go to the nice restaurants with views over the city.
Tomorrow I fly to Dubai for a few days and then back to the UK on Saturday. I am not quite sure when I will finish blogging. Maybe this will be it, let's wait and see....!
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