May I take your photograph, I ask (always). They pat their hair and ask why?“Because you are beautiful,” is my reply. They respond in various ways, some surprised, some shy, some laugh. But I repeat sincerely, “Because you are beautiful.” I can’t explain with my dreadful Hindi what I would like to add, “Because your…
Encounters with Locals
Different societies have different norms when it comes to what is or isn't considered to be polite. India is no exception. I was always told, don't talk about sex or politics and you'll be okay. What I wasn't prepared for were the (often hilarious) comments that are, shall we say, not considered impolite. From these to words of wisdom from unexpected sources, to discovering just how important having a good cricket team can be, in Encounters I share with you some gems.
Delhi Diaries: Valentines Day, Indian Style
It was Valentines Day and I was in Lucknow, ‘on assignment.’ I had a choice, I could stay in and ordered room service or I could venture out and have dinner on my own, in public, on what is purportedly the most romantic day of the year. Neither was appealing, but I chose the latter,…
The Raika Journey – Immersive Tourism Supporting the Camel herders of Rajasthan
The Raika are a community in peril, their lifestyle is in danger and their future is uncertain. The Raika provide the globally recognisable images we see of the Pushkar Camel Fair and yet, this fair provides nothing towards their wellbeing and sustainability. To delve a little into their history is to open a Pandora’s Box of…
Walking With Vikings
Walking with Vikings Walking and words, two passions of mine. Last week I was out walking discovering, as many of us now have, my own back yard, finding walks and history and stories right on my doorstep that I previously never knew existed. Given the amount of rain and snow that we’ve had, as soon…
Encounters With Locals – In a Sacred Grove in Meghalaya
Meghalaya has sacred groves, small pockets of protected forest, hundreds of years old which are owned and protected by individual communities. They believe that they are the abode of deities and to enter with bad intentions or to remove anything from these groves will result in, at the very least, bad karma. Needless to…
Encounters With Locals – The Doctors Surgery
Encounters with locals continued….. This scene, the doctor’s surgery in a village in Rajasthan. The reason, being felled by a top to toe, and by that I mean from my scalp to the soles of my feet, inflamed, itchy, body rash. Attractive I know. Such a blight Is a first for me, I’m not even…
Encounters With Locals – Prosperity in India
To assist with translation: 1. Globally: To have become prosperous = to have gained wealth. In India: To have become prosperous = to have gained weight. 2. Globally: Subtlety and discretion when dealing with strangers, acknowledged traits. In India: Subtlety and discretion when meeting strangers = No such luck. The Encounter: Picture the scene if…
Encounters with locals – Yorkshire style
Conversations from Yorkshire:. Picture the scenario. A beautiful, sunny autumnal morning, out riding one of my favourite horses in the stunning Yorkshire countryside. Said horse having observed the field full of cows for several minutes and kept a beedy eye on them all the way down the hill, decided to freak out on drawing parallel….
Delhi Diaries, Encounters with Locals, part 2
It seems that it is impossible to walk down the street in India, or get through a single day without having some sort of wonderful if unexpected encounter. Here are some more random, sometimes funny, sometimes poignant encounters from my daily wanderings. Seriously, the Kohinoor Diamond? I was quite happily walking to work the other…
Encounters with locals – Delhi’s Longest Serving Taxi Driver
The Longest Serving Taxi Driver in Delhi? Last night, rather later and not quite as sober as anticipated, I asked the establishment of my choice to order a taxi for me. Being quite a swanky place I was delighted when a battered, old, original black and yellow ambassador turned up. But this was no ordinary…