Horse racing, men and well men!

The kolkata race course is smack bang in middle of city, horse racing most sundays in winter and what a contrast to a day at races in england or nz!! For a start not a female in sight, when i asked a few men about this, didn't seem to grasp what i was trying to explain at all, of course it is normal!! V much a gambling ethos at races, people are there as someone explained to make money not to socialise, be seen or wear sunday best. 10 rupee entry fee deters the poor, chap sitting next to us had just lost 800 rupee (10quid) and didn't think anything of it. I guess because i think anything more than 20 rupees is getting a bit expensive i thought this was a massive amonunt to lose!! The only entry to the grandstand (of which there were 4 granstands but only 1 full - declining popularity?) was through a narrow alley on one side a row of 6 or so areas for men to pee at. Worse this was men facing wall peeing, see 2 white women walking along then turn around to gape - uggghh the smell! Horse racing itself a pretty tame affair, course is so large you have no hope in seeing where horses start from, no commentary while horses are racing just pleasant classical music tinkering away in background!! An altogther relaxing way to spend a sunday afternoon (minus the staring and smell!)

Not sure why i am constantly surprised at way men rule roost in this country, and to be honest i was expecting to be treated much worse than i have been, as men are only ones who 'man'!! shops, stalls, restaurants basically anything you want to do you involves you speaking to a man and all have been v courteous and accomodating. But speaking to head teacher at the disabled school who described why the school operates from 11-4pm each day as 'my husband said i could work only if i was there in morning to cook his breakast and there when he gets home in evening'. This women has multiple degrees, speaks v good english and well has patience of saint to put up with this!! But in saying this the few women who have shared their experiences with me are incredibly strong human beings, a force to be reckoned with and am sure india would do well to listen to them!!

I work at the disability school mon,tues, thur,fri,sat, sat is a working day in india. I spend the morning typically with 1,2 or all 3 of the severely autistic children doing various activities - blowing bubbles, making symbols, colouring, learning names of things etc then in afternoon sitting with older children who have mental, cognitive impairments helping them with work. I am really enjoying the work and kids show instant gratification but really grappling with use of force teachers and sometimes other kids use on each other, not uncommon to see a teacher grab a childs ear or smack around head with real force, I understand that the government now has laws that allow teachers to be punished if children suffer abuse, following a number of deaths of children who had been treated in this way, but i find v disturbing to witness and at the moment, feel i should be respectful in that teachers are experts here, doing damage control where possible with child after event.

off to meditation working a treat in this manic place!
nameste xx