A Series of Odd Situations
To begin, this is not a continuation of the absurdly laborious Jaipur trilogy. That is coming, but this is something else.
A while back I sat staring with a rather disturbing mix of emotions at something that, gladly, we in the west don't see everyday, but sadly, can be seen just about any time you care to in most other parts of the world. The spectacle in question was not one but several young mothers with infants walking in between moving traffic on a highway overpass. Some begging for change some just trying to get across. Now, all cultural desensitization aside, it's one thing to see vast populations living in abject /violent poverty and devastation. It's such a standard on this planet that most humans accept it as a regrettable reality and function without two many debilitating waves of anguish to hamper their day. I am one of these, as most of us, including those within the realm of poverty, are as well. We all, rich and poor, starving and fed, diseased and healthy, war torn and secure spend most of our lives getting on with our day. ON all realms of suffering their are opportunities for happiness, jobs to do, needs to be fulfilled, and though this observation is in no way offered as a way to push aside or forget about the suffering of others it is I think the silent fact that allow all sane and compassionate human beings to not simply roll over in agony for the communal suffering of their fellow human beings. There is also the fact that we all have our own problems and goals and tasks, and in that we do what good we can/wish to. So be it.
But all that aside, I could not, with all my cynicism, apathy, ignorance and distraction help musing that if I or anyone was to see a woman, young or old, with a baby, starving or healthy, stumbling in agony on bleeding feet while trying to walk through highway traffic in say...oh any city readers of this might happen to live. There would not only be a rather large traffic jam, news helicopters, paramedics and very probably police. All this expense, attention and authority would likely be exhorted by 70 cell phones and hasten without a second thought to investigate, support, assist or arrest as necessary. It is that lack of attention, that keeps the value of human life so variant in places like India. Where development has allowed a burgeoning middle class and nuevo-riche* celebrity infused upper class to form alongside people who's labour for a month is worth less than the cost of the time for this internet cafe. Now this is not a plea nor a statement nor a condemnation it's just a thought.
One of the best parts of travelling to the so called developing world, is that its developing. trappings from 60 decades still pervade society where in the "developed" world all that is outdated is garbage or over-insured and locked-up as nostalgia. In India as in Africa I thoroughly enjoy dinking pop out of glass bottles, and returning it to that place where I bought it. This system has allowed the same bottles to be used, machine sanitized rebottled and used again for 60 years, meaning I can and do drink coke out of bottles with 60 year old painted labels. It's like being in back to the future when Marty needs his teenage dad to show him how to open a metal cap. Another example of this living history are the vehicles. With the standard of living being what it is few people buy a car or bike new and fewer keep it for less than the full length of it's possible life. Hence, Auto rickshaws, remain from an era when making three wheeled open air rag top vehicles was okay. And the look like the quirky love child of a relationship between an old Volks bug and 1950's milk truck.
Ideas and ideals work the same way. With no money or time for things like "child safe playgrounds" kids grow up with the ability to safely scale walls, step on glass, deliver groceries and ride motorbikes. Now, say what you will about this subject, but a 10 year old child who has the physical ability to safely negotiate a three storey building using only tree limbs and walls is in my mind much safer and happier than a kid who learned that it's okay to fall off the jungle gym and on to his noggin cause the ground below is made of rubber tire bits. Whether the former ought to scaling walls to get lost badminton birdies is a question for the jury, but if it was the only toy you had, it might influence your opinion. Frankly nothing makes one safer than knowing death is a perfectly salient and factual possibility. Even better if this is not seen as a reason to leave your only toy on the roof when a little skill will get it back no cost.
I like camels, I like Elephants, and I also like monkeys. All these animals have personality. In addition elephants, and to lesser extent camels, are frigging huge creatures. Seriously, a camel is on par with a moose for height and it can't be too far behind in terms of mass. Monkeys have faces, with smile muscles, and hands for feet, and for hands, plus they sit like humans might if they lost all their self consciousness en mass. All three of these animals have been encountered outside my various front doors in India. Would these luxuries be available in any respectable developed country. I fear that as India's economy, government and social order stabilize further and further, these wonderful morning neighbours will be relegated once again to the three horseman of extinction, wildlife reserves and zoos.
Chris (maybe)
PS
Snake charmers really work. That damn cobra just dances like a baseball bobble head when faced with the least snort from his owners gourd pipe. Why were we ever afraid of these things...?
*The term was French I think I wrote something in Spanish...it means newly rich....don't loose any sleep over it I can't yet afford an editor.
A while back I sat staring with a rather disturbing mix of emotions at something that, gladly, we in the west don't see everyday, but sadly, can be seen just about any time you care to in most other parts of the world. The spectacle in question was not one but several young mothers with infants walking in between moving traffic on a highway overpass. Some begging for change some just trying to get across. Now, all cultural desensitization aside, it's one thing to see vast populations living in abject /violent poverty and devastation. It's such a standard on this planet that most humans accept it as a regrettable reality and function without two many debilitating waves of anguish to hamper their day. I am one of these, as most of us, including those within the realm of poverty, are as well. We all, rich and poor, starving and fed, diseased and healthy, war torn and secure spend most of our lives getting on with our day. ON all realms of suffering their are opportunities for happiness, jobs to do, needs to be fulfilled, and though this observation is in no way offered as a way to push aside or forget about the suffering of others it is I think the silent fact that allow all sane and compassionate human beings to not simply roll over in agony for the communal suffering of their fellow human beings. There is also the fact that we all have our own problems and goals and tasks, and in that we do what good we can/wish to. So be it.
But all that aside, I could not, with all my cynicism, apathy, ignorance and distraction help musing that if I or anyone was to see a woman, young or old, with a baby, starving or healthy, stumbling in agony on bleeding feet while trying to walk through highway traffic in say...oh any city readers of this might happen to live. There would not only be a rather large traffic jam, news helicopters, paramedics and very probably police. All this expense, attention and authority would likely be exhorted by 70 cell phones and hasten without a second thought to investigate, support, assist or arrest as necessary. It is that lack of attention, that keeps the value of human life so variant in places like India. Where development has allowed a burgeoning middle class and nuevo-riche* celebrity infused upper class to form alongside people who's labour for a month is worth less than the cost of the time for this internet cafe. Now this is not a plea nor a statement nor a condemnation it's just a thought.
One of the best parts of travelling to the so called developing world, is that its developing. trappings from 60 decades still pervade society where in the "developed" world all that is outdated is garbage or over-insured and locked-up as nostalgia. In India as in Africa I thoroughly enjoy dinking pop out of glass bottles, and returning it to that place where I bought it. This system has allowed the same bottles to be used, machine sanitized rebottled and used again for 60 years, meaning I can and do drink coke out of bottles with 60 year old painted labels. It's like being in back to the future when Marty needs his teenage dad to show him how to open a metal cap. Another example of this living history are the vehicles. With the standard of living being what it is few people buy a car or bike new and fewer keep it for less than the full length of it's possible life. Hence, Auto rickshaws, remain from an era when making three wheeled open air rag top vehicles was okay. And the look like the quirky love child of a relationship between an old Volks bug and 1950's milk truck.
Ideas and ideals work the same way. With no money or time for things like "child safe playgrounds" kids grow up with the ability to safely scale walls, step on glass, deliver groceries and ride motorbikes. Now, say what you will about this subject, but a 10 year old child who has the physical ability to safely negotiate a three storey building using only tree limbs and walls is in my mind much safer and happier than a kid who learned that it's okay to fall off the jungle gym and on to his noggin cause the ground below is made of rubber tire bits. Whether the former ought to scaling walls to get lost badminton birdies is a question for the jury, but if it was the only toy you had, it might influence your opinion. Frankly nothing makes one safer than knowing death is a perfectly salient and factual possibility. Even better if this is not seen as a reason to leave your only toy on the roof when a little skill will get it back no cost.
I like camels, I like Elephants, and I also like monkeys. All these animals have personality. In addition elephants, and to lesser extent camels, are frigging huge creatures. Seriously, a camel is on par with a moose for height and it can't be too far behind in terms of mass. Monkeys have faces, with smile muscles, and hands for feet, and for hands, plus they sit like humans might if they lost all their self consciousness en mass. All three of these animals have been encountered outside my various front doors in India. Would these luxuries be available in any respectable developed country. I fear that as India's economy, government and social order stabilize further and further, these wonderful morning neighbours will be relegated once again to the three horseman of extinction, wildlife reserves and zoos.
Chris (maybe)
PS
Snake charmers really work. That damn cobra just dances like a baseball bobble head when faced with the least snort from his owners gourd pipe. Why were we ever afraid of these things...?
*The term was French I think I wrote something in Spanish...it means newly rich....don't loose any sleep over it I can't yet afford an editor.
posted by Chris and Nilu at 7:12 AM
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