Wednesday 15 July 2009

Street Wise

This morning after cooking dal, rice and greens for lunch
I set out to visit the OM (Operation Mobilization)
Christian bookshop which is having a sale.

While I was opening the front gate I witnessed
a traffic accident.
A motorcyclist crashed into a police jeep.
I recoiled in horror as I was not prepared to see
blood on the street.
But fortunately there was no injury.
The man got up, brushed off the dust and grime, collected his wits and drove off.
The cops stopped the jeep and one of them disembarked
but assessing the minor mishap
they carried on with their journey
as if nothing had happened.
No problemo -this is just mundane stuff.

I hired a cycle rickshaw to take
me to my destination.
I took several pictures from the moving vehicle.
The above is a block of modern apartments.
My BIL owned property there
to sell when the prices appreciated.

Roadside motorcycle repair shops near my house.


The black and yellow school taxis lining up
outside a Christian Boy 's school
to ferry children home.

These taxis are very popular with people of the
lower income group.
You can share them with others and only pay for the seat you occupy.


A petrol station


Another filling station.
In the background you can see the tower
of Mayo Hall,
A building erected by the British
in the memory of Lord Mayo.
It has been converted into a sports complex now.


A statue on a traffic island

Another view of the same sculpture.


Here is another person cast in stone.

When I reached OM Books,
I discovered I had left my handbag
with my money back home.
This really short circuited my trip.
I returned home to retrieve my purse.
Shelling out double transport money made me
want to kick myself.
I could have used it to buy another book
or some vegetables.
But life 's like that sometimes.
I bought some books
and I will show you those in another post.
I am very pleased with what I obtained.
**************
Life is a journey through many terrainFrom gardens of pleasure to deserts of painFrom an ocean of love to a jungle of hateFrom Mountains of glory to canyons of fate.
There's a highway for joy and a highway for sorrowA Road for today and a road for tomorrow.
So choose your path wisely and walk with careIf you follow your heart, you'll find your way there.

20 Fertilize my soul:

Annie K said...

I love seeing where you live Amrita. And taxis in other countries are always so different from here.

You may have forgotten the handbag, but hopefully you spotted something new the 2nd time around..! :)

Pat said...

I enjoyed the trip, but I forgot my purse too!
It's so interesting to see your "neck of the woods", I always look forward to your pictures.
I loved the prose at the end of your post...very good.

Crown of Beauty said...

It was good you didn't forget your camera, so we were able to enjoy the pictures!

Yes, life's like that sometimes!

madison said...

Great pics!
We used to have a christian bookstore in town, but it closed about 2 years ago. The regular bookstore has a very, very small collection of books. Mostly I have to get my books online which is ok, it's just the waiting for them in the mail part that's long.

Paresh Palicha said...

Loved how you ended; your own words? super!

Kathryn said...

Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your life! :)

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

Amrita, is that your poem at the end? If so, may I make a graphic featuring it? Only the graphic would not be as pretty as the words themselves!

I love when you show pictures of everyday life in India. I am too ignorant of your country. For example, I was surprised to see AC window units on the modern apartments. I am behind the times, I suspect.

Can't wait to see yr books. I have forgotten my money before, too...makes me go weak at the knees when I realize I do not have it with me...

Amrita said...

Hi folks, I know i was glad I found my handbag at home , at least I had not droped it samewhere.

No dear penni that poem is not mine. I got it from the web.
My poetic skills are not so refined.
A/Cs are freely available in India, but they are used by the privilledged class. I can 't afford it.
You will find shops and commercial places and offices all air conditioned.Its not for the masses though.

Amrita said...

I would like to use my camera more outside the house, but I feel rather insecure taking it out in public, it might be snatched.

Amrita said...

Hi Annie, we have the regular car taxis, very modern, air conditioned ones and SUV types, these are convient for kids and also the rural and low income people use them as they cost less.

Julie said...

I have been trying to talk my husband into letting me get a scooter like those for years. Loved all the photos.

Sherri Murphy said...

Love the pictures Amrita- Please do more of these.

Herrad said...

Hi Amrita,
Good post really enjoyed it and your photos are very lovely thanks so much felt I went on a trip.
Nice to see where you live.
Love,
Herrad

Tikno said...

I love to see your photograph about daily life in India. Thanks for sharing.

Felisol said...

Dear Amrita,
Such an interesting report from the big city.
Al exotic and oriental to me.
I certainly would have enjoyed a cycle rickshaw tour.
I also thing the driver must have been happy to get double fare.
maybe that saved his day.

Sometimes I'd like to see a pic of you sitting in the rickshaw.

I haven't got the slightest clue about what an AC window is.
Oh, sometimes I'm so far behind.

Give my best to your mother.
From Felisol

John Cowart said...

Your posts always reveal what a colorful place India is. All the buses and taxis and motorcycles make your photos teem with life.

Enjoy your reading.

Julia Dutta said...

I love looking at a city through camera lens. It is to me, clearer. I love those carry all ricks where you pay only for a seat. i always use these in Kolkata. It is environmentally friendly as it works like car pool and also it is pocket friedly. In Kolkata, you can go quite a long distance with Rs 3/5. Isen't that a steal?
Julia

Nina in Portugal said...

Those are great photos Amrita! It really helps us to "see" your world!

Sorry about having to pay double for your ride...but thankful you had a nice day and got some great books!

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

Hi Sweetie,thank you so much for stoping by my blog.Life is indeed a journey,but I do believe that your life is maped out for you already,Its just up to you how you use that map.
You have a very nice blog.I've enjoyed it very much.Lots of things to see.I love those school buses.I do enjoy raising peacocks.I have some really beautiful white peacocks.In a couple post back ...you can see a couple of them.As for my fish I can sit by the waterway for hours just looking at them.They are very smart, and can see 10 ft.They also hear you speak and knows the one who feeds them.I talked your head off for to long now.We will visit again soon...XXOO Marie Antionette

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Amrita:)

Greetings:)

Very interesting cycle rickshaw trip you had. Lovely photos on the way. A typical city scene in India.

I can see the hot sun in your city while we are having heavy showers. The contradiction that is India.

What you call as taxis we call them auto rickshaws here. They are used extensively to transport children to and fro from school. But the children are so jam packed like sardines. Once I asked an auto driver how many school children he can take in his auto. He said 10. Imagine 10 children in that small auto. Parents find it convenient to use autos because they bring the children back to their door step whereas in the case of school buses the parent will have to wait near the bus stop.

You have quoted a fantastic poem which is inspiring and thought provoking. Many thanks for the same.

I enjoyed this cycle rickshaw trip with you tremendously.

Have a lovely day Amrita:)
Joseph