Nilakottai reminds me a bit of Stars Hollow. (Tay, you may be the only one who understands this reference) Small town life is a lot different from life in a big cosmopolitan city. In Bangkok and KL, and even in smaller cities like Sukhothai, I didn't stand out nearly as much. It seems that all of the cultural differences are that much more apparent when a foreigner is thrown into a small relatively homogenous society. Since Jean and I are the only Westerners in town we've gained a bit of celebrity. Although of course, she is a celebrity anyway; author of several books and more importantly, founder the illam. I just look funny!
When I ride my bike into town or to the land where the boys live I always get stares and the children will call out 'hello!' Yesterday I stopped in the village for a cup of tea and several children came up to talk to me and ask me questions about my family and my 'native place' (this must be a direct translation from Tamil because they all say it). I went on a predawn run and two of the girls came up to me and told me their classmates had seen me. Even my wardrobe is critiqued like a celebrity! I wore an ankle length skirt the other night and the girls seemed to like it much more than my typical pants / capris. And when the girls put a flower in my hair and a bindi on my forehead this weekend I got approving comments.
I was walking into town the other day with a short shopping list and my shoe broke (it was only a matter of time, I guess, I bought it for $5 in Thailand, and fortunately I was already headed in the right direction). As I was walking along the hot asphalt, my left foot burning with every step, I looked around and noticed that a significant number of the people around me weren't wearing any shoes. I don't know how they do it! I don't even like going down the stairs at the illam because the cement gets so hot during the day. I run down as quickly as possible, trying to step in the shady spots. Not only is the ground hot during the day, but you have to be mindful of the broken glass, rusty pieces of metal, and human and animal waste.
All the stalls were selling the same type of sandals and for the same price (40 rupees, or about $0.65) so I just went for the largest ones I could find. (Indian people, like the Thais are short and have very small feet, not good for a Westerner trying to purchase shoes or clothing!) Even the largest they had are a size too small, but they'll do the job.
Next stop was the 'general store' for toilet paper... really just another small storefront that sells a variety of items. Western comforts are not easy to find here. The town just got toilet paper this year, and I'm pretty sure the kiwis and I are the only one's who ever buy it. One roll of toilet paper is also 40 rupees. Now of course, the shoes were incredibly cheap, and the toilet paper is considered a novelty item here, but still, I never expected to pay the same price for a roll of toilet paper and a pair of shoes!
When I ride my bike into town or to the land where the boys live I always get stares and the children will call out 'hello!' Yesterday I stopped in the village for a cup of tea and several children came up to talk to me and ask me questions about my family and my 'native place' (this must be a direct translation from Tamil because they all say it). I went on a predawn run and two of the girls came up to me and told me their classmates had seen me. Even my wardrobe is critiqued like a celebrity! I wore an ankle length skirt the other night and the girls seemed to like it much more than my typical pants / capris. And when the girls put a flower in my hair and a bindi on my forehead this weekend I got approving comments.
I was walking into town the other day with a short shopping list and my shoe broke (it was only a matter of time, I guess, I bought it for $5 in Thailand, and fortunately I was already headed in the right direction). As I was walking along the hot asphalt, my left foot burning with every step, I looked around and noticed that a significant number of the people around me weren't wearing any shoes. I don't know how they do it! I don't even like going down the stairs at the illam because the cement gets so hot during the day. I run down as quickly as possible, trying to step in the shady spots. Not only is the ground hot during the day, but you have to be mindful of the broken glass, rusty pieces of metal, and human and animal waste.
All the stalls were selling the same type of sandals and for the same price (40 rupees, or about $0.65) so I just went for the largest ones I could find. (Indian people, like the Thais are short and have very small feet, not good for a Westerner trying to purchase shoes or clothing!) Even the largest they had are a size too small, but they'll do the job.
Next stop was the 'general store' for toilet paper... really just another small storefront that sells a variety of items. Western comforts are not easy to find here. The town just got toilet paper this year, and I'm pretty sure the kiwis and I are the only one's who ever buy it. One roll of toilet paper is also 40 rupees. Now of course, the shoes were incredibly cheap, and the toilet paper is considered a novelty item here, but still, I never expected to pay the same price for a roll of toilet paper and a pair of shoes!
a significant problem in India is harbouring worms, in the body, due to walking barefoot. We had an inch of rain yesterday--turning cooler--fall is in the air!
ReplyDeleteEww, now I'm going to be worrying about worms. And I didn't even tell you about all the ants and spiders in my water!
DeleteI much prefer being hot to cold, but I wouldn't mind a nice fall day right about now. Love you!
Great posts. How are you feeling? I'll have to order the book through Amazon.
ReplyDeleteYou need to find your Luke's!! Let us know if we need to bring shoes to you in Dec!
ReplyDelete