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A city of contrasts
Started reading city of joy, written by a Dominique Lappiere who spent about 4 years living in Calcutta in late 1980s researching and listening to stories of some incredible people who have made it their life work to help the poor. Book has been v useful in helping to reflect on the contribution i can be making, a family - mother and several children (boy who is always naked about 3 or so) are permanently camped on teh corner of street i am staying on, i know these people have a 'master' who profits i suspect majority of money they collect, but it was heart warming to see the local (and v good chinese/indian restaurant handing out rupee coins to those who gathered at door). Most of the rickshaws in the area are also hand pulled not cycle and i realise while i feel strongly about not wanting to ride on one, how incredibly inhumane these people are at bottom of food chain. Think food rather than money is best way forward.
Ventured out to marble palace today, in amongst a v poor muslim area of the city not far from the famed 'rubbish heap' stands a magnificant gleaming white palace with marble floors and full of statutes,ornaments and paintings from around the world. Apparently also India's first piano which apparently came from NZ! Surrounding area complete with deer, chimpanze, ducks, geese etc, what am amazing envi for kids to be able to visit but i bet that none in surrounding area have even seen the deer before.
The disabled childrens school had a sports day yday, complete with marble and spoon racesand 50/100m sprints! Majority of kids at school hearing impairedand a no with learning disabilities, teacher student relations seem interesting to date. Foundthis also at slum school, yday was v hot, kids while all in white sat out on grass in open area no shade while all teachers and parents in shade, i went and sat with kids and a few started expressing they were hot, teachers laughed and did nothing. Some of teachers also handle children v roughly, in slum school teacher basically told kids to read for10mins sat there watching them and walked off while they ran riot for rest of time. appreciate these teachers have real job on their hands, hell 4 hours was tiring enough but i do getthe im[pression from some of teachers that they feel kids should be grateful for anything they're gettting.
Taken up meditation while here, free 30 min session at local centre every thursand sun evening, v soothing for mind, finding it v tough to sit still for 30 mins though!!
take care xx
jess
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