I have a New Phone with an Improved Camera Function

Current day India has many things.


 It has bananas
(bananas is a funny word)

It has me

(not to be confused with the note)

(though I'm pretty sure it has Mi too)

It has mannequins, covered in tight fitting red cloth.
(the word mannequin, coincidentally, comes from the French "Mannequin", which comes from the Dutch/Flemish word "Mannekien" which meant "little guy")



 
 

It has Dogs & Puppies

(Puppies!!!!)

It has street lights that are vaguely reminiscent of times past.
(reminiscing is a nice word)(though the activity is quite ok too)

It has exciting Riksha Rides

(Just after the video was shot, the rik next to mine drove into a motorcycle)

(It was funny)

(It is okay that I think it is funny because no one was seriously hurt)

(I know this because all three people involved got up & started shouting at each other)

(I think you'll agree that this is a pretty good indication of my claim)

Burgh, rather than Blog

I know my blog looks weird right now.
Despite my earlier statement that I didn't feel like working on a blog after working on another one for several hours, I gave it a try anyway. I tried using some of the things I had learned while working on the other one.
Suffice to say, I gave up before I actually got my sh*t together....

It will be fixed soon(ish) though.
No worries

Lack of Blog Posts & Pictures

I realise there has been a lack of blog posts & pictures lately.
There is a very simple explanation for both of these shortages.

The latter lack is explained by a lack of cellphone (in my case aka my camera). This has now been solved.

The former lack is explained by the fact that I now spend several hours a day checking stuff on the internet & working on the new company blog. This does not make me very inclined to spend more time on another blog. My apologies.

Hopefully the posting will resume in the future, and with it, the pictures.

Mumbai Night

I am killing mosquitoes.
I am watching Watchmen.
My neighbours are chanting/singing. Loudly. Badly. I'm unsure whether it is to some music programme, or whether it is religious. I'm unsure which would be worse.

Practicalities

I am now in possession of headphones & a mike.
in combination with the camera I already had,
makes me this Skype Worthy.

The Official Version of Things

I will also be writing for the Green Ventures Blog. More "detailed" information on my official actions will appear on there....

Jan 19

We arrived a little past 8 AM in Dadar station, Mumbai. We took a taxi home. I had a nap. Then a shower. Then I brushed my teeth. Then I went to work at around 10 AM.
Today was my first official day in the office. Got an update on my future tasks. It all seems really rather interesting. More on that later.
After work I had chai with Sandip. I then went to the apartment to get changed. I then went to Inorbit to buy toiletpaper. I am now sitting in Costa Coffee writing my blog. The waiters have changed and so I actually had to get up and order my coffee (instead of just waiting for them to know my order and bringing it spontaneously with a big smile). The world’s heart must have skipped a beat.

Jan 18

Jan 18
Or at least, that’s what should have happened. Fate, however, had different plans for me. Right before leaving to our hotel, I was briefed by Krish with my future tasks-list. One of them included writing an article (a mere draft, I have to add out of my usual honesty) for the Times of India on the Barshi Project & the stakeholder meeting the next day. Due date : the next day , at the press conference). I worked (with the patient and very helpful help of Rashmi, may I add) till 2.30 on this. (my work was slightly prolonged by the fact that I had deemed it unnecessary to take my laptop on the trip. Oh woeful choice. I had to borrow Som’s laptop).
The next day I had the article finished (if finished it could be called after such a short period). It was approved (with a few minor changes) by Krish at breakfast.
After breakfast the Validator arrived (basically : a person who comes to check the validity of our claim to CDM status for our project). He was a nice guy called Jimmy. While most of the team remained behind with him, I left with a small group to the 18th Century Gopalkrishna temple in Gopalpur (Pandharpur). We did a tour of the assorted temples there (one, in particular, I liked. It was a big copper wheel that you had to turn for a few turns while the two priests/monks/acolytes/temple attendants/? Chanted a few verses. I thought it rather symbolic and nice. ) We then proceeded to prepare the area for our Stakeholder Meeting. I was wearing (unlike the day before) a GVV shirt (yellow with the GVV logo imprinted upon it) & a fancy blue cap with the GV logo. Fancy.
After spending a couple of hours preparing everything, the meeting started and I, once again, took charge of the camera. While performing a heroic leap up some stairs, however, I missed a step. Horizontal/diagonal movement quickly turned into vertical/diagonal movement. In other words, the ground soared towards me. Luckily for me, my cellphone broke my fall (feel free to drop the first three and last two words of this sentence). I am limping still (it is now half past 8 on the 19th of Jan). I then, cowardly, I know, relinquished my control over the camera machine to Sandip, who seemed slightly better in control of his limbs. Slightly less flailing, slightly less exuberant liveliness (mind you, I have nothing against flailing, exuberant liveliness. On the contrary, my best friends are flailing, exuberant livelinesses).
After a lot of speeches in a lot of languages I did not understand (aka: two: Marathi & Hindi) (In my defence, my colleague Sandip isn’t really fluent in those either, so néh!), we were, once again, presented with flowers. And coconuts. Obviously (there is nothing that says “thank you for the efforts and the CFLs” better than a coconut, don’t you think?).
We then went back to the hotel where the press conference would happen.
I am afraid to admit I was extremely tired by this point (the lack of sleep & the lack of jetlag recovery & my rather abrupt fall & my not being entirely cured from my light cold the week before might have something to do with this. But I might be mistaken). I managed to sit through most of the conference, however, and even managed to scribble some notes. (Notes I, for some reason, am unable to read any more.)( I must have been temporarily able to write some other script. Must have been one of those “talking in tongues” things the bible mentioned. )
After this we had a short break (I had a nap) & then we had dinner. Around 11 PM we took a train back.

Jan 17 : II

We did a lot of visits. First we met with the Head of an NGO we work with. There I got a (insert fancy Indian term meaning “dash of red ochre on the forehead”) and a (insert fancy Indian term for “shawl”). Snazzy.
Then we went to visit one our projects. I had, early in the day, laid claim on the official camera, so I was charged with using it. Needless to say (but I do like to blow my own trumpet now and again): I was glorious.
The project consists of our company taking the kerosene lamps from the villagers in exchange for fancy rechargeable solar lamps. And taking their ICLs in exchange for CFLs. Obviously. One of the advantages of those two (solar & CFLs) apparently is their “nice, white, bright light”. This sounds rather extremely silly, but is actually a lot better for the eyes and will allow the villagers to work in normal circumstances when the sun is down. Cheerio.
We had lunch (though that might have been before the visit to the project. Time is muddled in my head (muddling is quite popular in there, I’d wager, considering the general state of my thoughts).
We then visited a school. The students had, as valuable work experience, helped us out with a survey (think door-to-door “excuse me sir, can we ask you a few questions on your use of electricity & kerosene for lighting?”. Insert a few interrupting door-in-face moments and you’re probably not even close). Which really was rather nice of them. Krish & Michael did a speech. Everyone from the GVV team (including me) got flowers. Yeay me.
Some students hung around to ask Michael for an autograph. I patiently made myself available but they didn’t seem to get the hint. One day, when I’m rich(er) and famous(er), they will realise their mistake and gnash their teeth.
We then went to another hotel (where we would have our press conference the next day), had dinner & went to bed.

Jan 17: I

Barshi, some village, Status Hotel, 8.22 AM
In the car from the trainstation I asked Kanaiya whether or not I should, in fact, shave. Som had hinted at this but I wanted to make sure. He confirmed that I should. We arrived in the Village at around 4 AM. After getting installed (and getting the impression that everyone was going to go to bed – which was logic, after the train ride we had just been on, and during which no one really slept (well) ), I decided to go out for a bit and enjoy the calm of a waking village with a cigarette in hand before going to sleepy land myself for a couple of hours.
Having finished my cigarette, however, I was confronted with Sandip who wanted to go for a walk. I did not refuse. I had slept relatively ok on the ride to Barshi, I didn’t really feel like sleeping and I thought it was a good opportunity to get to know my new colleague (he probably had the same reasoning, though he confessed not having slept a wink on the train).
We started walking in a random direction when Sandip, to my slight surprise, turned out to be a smoker too, so we had a cigarette. We walked for about an hour and a half, stopping twice for a Chai (the little chai stands on the side of this rather rural village were already open) & having another cigarette. The streets were surprisingly crowded (for it being that early), but that was rather normal according to Sandip, seeing that it was a rural village and the villagers generally woke up early to start working and make sanitary visits…
I saw several puppies & a few cows. Not to mention scores of dogs. Ah, the memories.
It was nice and cold there, which was accentuated by Kanaiya(ji) – his name, apparently is written like that, and not like I had been writing it on the blog so far; The “ji” is a suffix indicating respect for his age (slightly over 30) and seniority in the company – wearing a sweater and earmuffs. I found the temperature really quite pleasing as it reminded me of a typical Belgian summer’s eve.
I went to bed around 6 am. I couldn’t catch sleep, mind mauling through the past couple of days (including my rather hasty departure from Belgium). Which once again shows that time perception is subjective, seeing that I Did fall asleep within half an hours, considering that I was awoken at 6.30 am by Kanaiya’s alarm clock. I dozed a bit, decided to shave after all and had a South-Indian breakfast (dosa’s and chai).

Jan 16 : elaborate version

My flight was pretty ok.
After saying goodbye in Zaventem to Katrien D, Alex & Anna, Tim V, brother Bart and brother Stefaan & Tatjana (which, by the way, was very much appreciated), I went through the gate (B, for those curious few amongst you). I reached my final destination (for the time) relatively easily, taking but one wrong turn, and found out my plane had a 20 minutes delay.
I had a cigarette & lounged a bit. (I am not good at lounging)
I boarded the plane and spent the next couple of hours in silence, watching a movie that didn’t really stick to my mind (apart from a relatively nice appearance from Ashton Kutcher as an assassin for hire). Right when we were about to land, I decided to talk to my neighbour, however. Cause that’s one of those things I feel I should (be able to) do. He was called Lucas and had a charming French accent (though he was not actually from France, it turned out after some conversation. Where he was from, I couldn’t fathom, considering that he named way too many places he had lived in). He was on his way to Bangkok where he was about to throw his life around (not the first time he did that, it turned out). I told him I was in a relatively similar situation.
We both got out at Cairo (it would have mightily surprised me had he decided to stay on board) & stuck together a bit (Cairo was, for the both of us, a virginal experience)(in the sense that it was our first time there, not in the sense that it had a virginal outlook. It was Egypt. Use your head). We had a coffee, I had a cigarette in the smokers lounge (smokers lounges in airports deserve a post by themselves. Though I do not know whether I will be the one to write it). He then boarded a plane to Bangkok. I had another coffee. I then boarded a plane to Mumbai.
There was a relatively nice guy. Didn’t quite catch his name. It was Indian-sounding though. No surprise there.
He accepted one of my strawberry shoelaces (those who know them, know what I’m talking about. Those who don’t…. I pity you) (btw: thanks again for the goodbye gift Stefaan). I had only wanted to be nice (he did not have the international look Lucas had), but he obviously had other ideas. He talked to me about my and his work (he was in the paper business, which, for some reason, he thought would make him my enemy (as a “green boy”)), he asked whether I ate out a lot (yes) and that I should consider marrying. Marrying solves the problem of cooking, cleaning and shopping apparently. I told him I thought I was too young, but that I would consider his ideas.
Arrival in Mumbai slightly ahead of schedule. I was awaited by a nice chauffeur whose name has now (permanently) escaped me. He dropped me off at the apartment. I unceremoniously took the elevator to the wrong floor and finally ended up at the right one. I rang the bell & was let in by Krish.
I took a cold shower (literally) & met one of GVs Directors & his wife. Michael Beninga & Ingrid (names which I find delightfully easy to pronounce and write, especially considering the trouble my new country men seem to be having with them)(for those having an “aha!” moment, don’t worry. I do not yet consider Indians as my countrymen. As before, I find myself feeling more European and Belgian by the day)(then why did I use the word? Because I felt like it and because it sounded nice, why else?). He’s Dutch/Swiss/Spanish/…. , she’s South-African/Swiss/Spanish/….. Both are nice. I also met the offspring of Krish. Two rather active girls called Kavia & a-name-that-I-can-never-ever-remember, aged very-young. Also, very nice.
All four had met my Godfather & Uncle, Herman De Latte. The world is not as small as it feels.
I wanted to go out to Inorbit (the local mall) to buy some basics (aka: Toilet Paper). Had to read a business plan of GVV (Green Village Ventures) instead, to prepare myself for the upcoming trip. I fell asleep halfway, having accomplished neither my intended, nor my final plan.
We left by 6 PM something –ish. We took a taxi (a nice, AC-ed one) to one of the major rail stations in Mumbai (the name, like an experienced convict, escapes me). There we took a train to Barshi.
We ended up in the2nd class, played some cards (that I, oh happy happenstance) had brought with me. I taught them Wippen - the game of Kings – when we found out (the hard way) that it’s really quite impossible to play Texas Hold’m without coins or anything that can serve as such. I was glorious.

Barshi

It is now 17:32.
I have slept for the last 5 hours (I think). Stupid Jet Lag.
Am about to leave (I think) for Barshi (wiki it, you bum, and you’ll know as much about it as I do) (probably more).
Will be there for the next two days & then come back.

there
now you know as much about my coming two days as I do.
Use the knowledge well, my young padawan.

Arrival

I have arrived.
it is now half past nine, local time. so four am, belgium time.
it is relatively "cold" outside. that is, for Indian standards. Belgians would be happy to have this kind of weather in July.
Took a shower (the problem with it being "cold", is that the cold water showers stop being "eternal bliss" but more of the annoyance they would be in more northern parts of the world).
am now enjoying my first cup of Indian coffee (the water-soluble kind).

Am beginning to realise what I have embarked upon. Though I don't doubt that I still have no fraggin' clue about the extent.

Something Practical

I'll be leaving Ghent at 12 PM on Saturday the 15th.
I will board a plane at Zaventem at 3PM on Saturday the 15th.
I will arrive in Cairo in the evening of the 15th.
I will arrive in Mumbai in the morning of the 16th.

Favourite Transport

What is Your Favourite Transport?

The bike? The wind in your hair? The feeling of your muscles working in perfect cohesion? The way you can swiftly swerve through the heaviest of traffics? The ease of parking any where any time for free?

The car? The speed at which you move along the great roads, spread out over Europe like big curly letters, forming words and phrases with never (or rarely ever) a full stop? The freedom to get up and leave, with nary preparation or warning, and only a vague care about the road, the weather and you.

The plane? Distant destinations unfurling one by one? The single-serving napkins, blankets, footwear, friends? The handily packed, readily heated meal, with a lovely scone-with-butter-and-some-jam and a coffee? A score of movies & other tidbits at your disposal, only a click away? The personnel, ever smiling, ever helpful, ever vaguely hinting at sexual escapades and adventures?

The boat? Freely floating flotillas on the deep blue sea? Dozing and drinks on deck, nothing but blue-gray-green masses surrounding you? Pitting yourself against the elements in the oldest way known to man? Using the ancient roads across the world?

Or rather the train? Philosophising on the one true nature of man? Listening to conversations between strangers, sharing a smile with another fellow listener? Letting your gaze wander outside, skimming the skylines of the country? Lazily browsing through a book? Reading or pretending to, whilst secretly (yet not too secretly) checking out the other passengers? The feeling of travel, of freedom, of sights yet to be uncovered or further explored? The gentle lullaby of rolling wheels on the never-ending tracks?

Music

Listening to music.
You feel.
You fly.
You float.
You swerve.

For a while.
Not more.
You’ll get back soon.
Earth to you. Where are you? Come back soon!
You will.
But you’ll miss the music.
The wind in your hair, your limbs, your heart.
You’ll miss the music.

You’ll go back to it.

Going back to that temporary reprieve of solitude, boredom, anxiety. Of life.

Music is like the balm of your soul. Like balms, it only works for a while.

Unlike balms, it will never be finished.
There will always be more music. Enjoy it.

While you can.

Hugs

Do you ever want to just hug people?

Be close to them? Touch them. In a non-sexual, non-aggressive sort of way?

Be near them? In a non-suffocating, non-threathing sort of way?

People. Others. Being surrounded by... not by love, but by... I don’t know...
proximity?

The feeling of others around you. The feeling of a (warm, living, acting) body in your arms. The feeling of someone close to you, knowing that this person wants to be close to you too.
Or at least doesn’t mind.

Knowing that this might be the last time you (ever) see these people?



Do you ever feel lonely? Surrounded by people?
They might be – could be - will be – ripped out of your life, your soul in the (near) future. And you can do nothing about it.
Nothing.
Nada.
Noppes.
Nougat bollen.

Sucks to be you doesn’t it?

If it's any comfort: Not more than it does to be anybody else.

Ramblings of an Old Lady (on the train from Ghent to Brussels)

The children have no respect for their elders (or for anybody else, for that matter). When a pregnant woman asks for a seat on a bus, she is told that “they pay just as much for the bus as she does”.

People used to be friendly, respectful. These days, the kids just say whatever comes to their mind.

The north is warmer than the south because of the influence of the North Sea.
This is because of the Gulf Stream.

In the year seventeen hundred and something, the Great Place burnt down in Brussels. The guilds had to rebuild it and, seeing that they all wanted their building to be prettier,
all the buildings are pretty.

Once, on a flight to the US, she was allowed in the cockpit when flying over Canada. The pilot said it was one of the prettiest flights ever, and she agreed.
It was very beautiful.

She has 4 grandchildren. Aged 16, 18 and two younger (11 & 8). One of her daughters lives in Bruges, the other one close to Ghent.

The lace of Bruges is actually made in china. They send the cloth to china, where they make the lace for a little money & then send it back.
She knows this because she knows a friend who has a lace shop.

They don’t speak Flemish in a lot of places. In Flanders, in the Netherlands & in South-Africa. And also in some other colonies of the Netherlands. Because the Netherlands made a colony in South-Africa. There they use Dutch, but pronounce it differently,
but you can still understand it…

French goes back in Flanders.

When she looks at her feet, she is pleased to have her snow boots.
Though she has shoes in her bag for the new years.

She always asks questions to strangers. If they want. If they don’t want, she keeps quiet. Isn’t it nice to have a little chat? They [the couple she is talking to, two Spanish people, one of which is a pilot] are very nice.
Very charming.

She always did much sports: swimming, gymnastics, cycling and ice skating. When they were young, every winter was like this [as cold as it is now]. There was ice on all rivers, and you could skate all around Bruges. It used to be a fortification.
A natural defence.

Being with young people keeps you young too. She has always been with youngsters. She was severe, but never cross. She liked them, but she didn’t like their manners. And if they changed their manners, she would like them more. [she used to be a teacher].
She still gets lots of cards from pupils.

She is called Renée.
The Spanish guy is called Dionysos, apparently.

Every day, she fills in her diary.
The Spanish couple will be in her diary.

Spain is interesting. She likes art. And museums.
She likes that.

She hopes Belgium will remain together. Flanders & Wallonia.
She hopes so.