As we are in the poorest state in India - Bihar, I have been surprised how good the local food is. There is a lot of choice. The equivalent of £2.50 will bring you a feast.
During our 3 week tour, we were being fed three times a day by local people who were often very poor but would have been offended if we had eaten at a dhabba. Hospitality is in the Indian DNA. There was no choice of food for me, I had to eat what was served. It was always vegetarian, of course, but my goodness, it was always hot (spicey).
I am enjoying my chats with other Buddhists, Western and Asian men and women. I've met many who do charity work here.
Yesterday, I was involved in a small accident in the street. A Tibetan boy-monk came zooming out of a monastery gate on a bicycle into the busy street as I was walking by. He hit my right calf with his front wheel and fell off his bike. I was bruised but not much. He hit his head and bashed his elbow, unfortunately. First Aid training kicked in and I checked he wasn't concussed. Luckily I had antiseptic wipes and plasters and managed to fix him up amidst his tears. He winced when I applied the antiseptic to his small wounds. He kept saying "Ghong Dhag" (sorry) and "Thug je che" (thank you). I looked up these words later on Google translate.
I didn't have the Tibetan words for "Be more careful, kid" so said nothing and smiled at him. He eventually smiled back and got back on his bike. It could have been a lot worse. Lots of folk around stopped and watched but no-one else offered to help. Perhaps they thought the situation was in hand.
This is India.
I wonder what will happen next on this trip? There's a few days to go yet.
No comments:
Post a Comment