Saturday: Since we were carpooling to the train station, we had to go SUPER early (wake up at 4:10am with 15min of sleep night before). Outside the station (and in it) was disgusting. I swear, it’s a filthy, gross place. I’ll spare the details for everyone’s benefit and my gag reflex. Next time, essential oils are coming out. Well, our train was delayed 2 hours. Awesome. We finally get moving past 8am and head on our weekend journey to Lucknow. The ride was pleasant enough in the AC chair cart. I even got to snap some pics of the Ganga river. Heart stopping. Oh, how can it be so pulling? I am so excited to visit it someday soon. We made it to our lack-luster room and ordered some food before heading out for festival festivities. It was crowded, but really fun. We walked the ally with market stalls on either side and squished our way into a park through a one-person-at-a-time gate (whew!) to get a spot to watch fireworks and the burning of a massive, flammable Ravana demon statue. In the two hours we were sitting, visiting and waiting, we attracted quite a crowd. At one point, I filmed our “groupies” who consisted of at least everyone surrounding us within 20 feet or more. We were the new stars of the evening, not poor 10-headed Ravana. I can’t count how many selfies were clicked. Oh well. The burning of the demon happened lightening fast as I wondered what on earth it must have been made out of. Additionally, fireworks exploded into the crowd. This would have never happened in Canada without a 400 meter guard roundabout. Back to our bed for the best sleep I had in weeks. Sunday: Relaxing. Movie. Shopping. Saying thanks to Gandhi before celebrating his birthday tomorrow (Monday, October 2). Monday:
Ok, so I got up early to shower, didn’t feel like it, but was supposed to be out for the day by 8am. Well, that got delayed to about 11:30, so I lounged, napped, was sleepy and ate in the meantime. This weekend has been much more “chill” than my typical tourist weekend. Venise doesn’t do fast walking, or walking generally, so I’m having to take things at a different pace these days. Finally, we ride our way over to Bara Imambara. The buildings are impressive and we have fun snapping pictures. We get a guided tour through the labyrinth and I fight off moments of anxiety-ridden panic among all the hot bodies in squishy halls and stuffy air. I remove my scarf and swear I might strip down if it gets any worse. We make our way to the “balcony” which is a narrow strip with all-together too low handrail way up in air. Neat, but terrifying. You know how your toes go numb at the edge of a cliff? Me. The whole time. The rooftop was something else though, so long as you ignore all safety-consciousness your mother taught you. Sure, I’ll sit on the edge of this rock wall 100s of feet up with no regard for life or health. I’ve learned there is this fine line between being aware of absolutely everything and then choosing to ignore that awareness or else nothing can/will happen. It’s a strange sensation for this mostly-conservative and decision-cautious gal. We took lunch at a restaurant in a nearby market (because that’s one area I will not walk the line when it comes to safety) and we catch the train back home. At least I wish it were that simple. Trains, like all things here, run on this concept of “near-time” or “suggested-time.” What the heck! Meeting at 8:30? Doesn’t happen until 11. Field visit day? Cancelled until further notice. Train arrival at 10:30pm? Just kidding. You really won’t be in bed until 1am. Plus, the power will be out. So you’ll have to track someone down to start a generator. Oh, living in India is an adjustment, absolutely, for me. I know I’m a control freak. I was working on this before leaving home. Being here, experiencing it though, is just providing all the practice the universe thinks I need to slow down, let go, and be in the moment. I’m working on it.
1 Comment
Matthew
10/3/2017 07:10:08 am
Love the growth! You inspire me :)
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AuthorAshley J.E. Hull Archives
November 2017
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