22:30 IST
The Living Room Downstairs, Inderpuri
New Delhi, India
Salaam Baalak Trust, a charity for destitute children. The destitute children are given shelter and care and education at this place. They organise a city walk, a walk around the area where they reside to talk about their charity and the things they do. The tour guides are the former destitute children, 'raised' and 'praised by the shelter. The talk includes all about the charity, their own lives and a little bit about the place where the walk happens. I went for the walk today. Came across two Scottish tourists - retired from work and travelling around the world for the past six months. This was their second visit to India, after 30 years. Last visit happened in 1984, just before the riots happened. They found out the hotel they stayed at burned down shortly after they left. What a story to tell friends. They were part of history! Something even I wasn't a part of, and this is my city.
Tariq Aziz was a friendly looking boy, all of nineteen and our tour guide. He showed us around. I ambled on. Noticed the transition happening in my head. Transition of my feelings towards my city. From distress to calm, from indifference to interest - I could see myself looking at the immense potential I had and the city had and our relationship had. Joy slowly finding its way back. Boy can't do it. Only I can. The sun was quite intense, but it was dry heat, and a slow breeze made the walk bearable. If not comfortable. The shelter was great. The kids were great. Had so much fun! Rodger, one of the Scots, said you have already adopted them! Think I'll volunteer for the place. Give it a shot for a month. Nothing to lose, really.
Walked out of the shelter with the Scots and asked way to the metro station. One guy comes to me and goes, I have auto rikshaw. Rs 50. I went, bhaiya please. Das rupiye mein pahunch jaate hain. He looked at me and said 'your hindi is good!' WTF.
German bakery - beautiful chicken momos and coke and WD's City of Djinns. I was breaking the family fast today. Bad girl. Walked to a book stall. Bought Khushwant Singh's Delhi. The shopkeeper asked me:
Do you like to read astrology?
Me: Na
SK: I am famous astrologer. I do face reading palm reading star reading everything. Foreigners write four-five pages in their books, international bestsellers about me.
Me: Wow
SK: hehe
Me: Are you accurate?
SK: Actually, I was born 22 years after my parents married. At the age of five, my mother took me to a tantrik. My village in Guwhati had lots of problems. Cows getting lost, people getting kidnapped. The tantrik brought a mirror to my face. I could tell them the exact location of the cow and the kidnapped people. I am always accurate. I am very good. You can try me.
Me: Thanks. Will do!
Exit. Phew. Day well spent.
The Living Room Downstairs, Inderpuri
New Delhi, India
Salaam Baalak Trust, a charity for destitute children. The destitute children are given shelter and care and education at this place. They organise a city walk, a walk around the area where they reside to talk about their charity and the things they do. The tour guides are the former destitute children, 'raised' and 'praised by the shelter. The talk includes all about the charity, their own lives and a little bit about the place where the walk happens. I went for the walk today. Came across two Scottish tourists - retired from work and travelling around the world for the past six months. This was their second visit to India, after 30 years. Last visit happened in 1984, just before the riots happened. They found out the hotel they stayed at burned down shortly after they left. What a story to tell friends. They were part of history! Something even I wasn't a part of, and this is my city.
Tariq Aziz was a friendly looking boy, all of nineteen and our tour guide. He showed us around. I ambled on. Noticed the transition happening in my head. Transition of my feelings towards my city. From distress to calm, from indifference to interest - I could see myself looking at the immense potential I had and the city had and our relationship had. Joy slowly finding its way back. Boy can't do it. Only I can. The sun was quite intense, but it was dry heat, and a slow breeze made the walk bearable. If not comfortable. The shelter was great. The kids were great. Had so much fun! Rodger, one of the Scots, said you have already adopted them! Think I'll volunteer for the place. Give it a shot for a month. Nothing to lose, really.
Walked out of the shelter with the Scots and asked way to the metro station. One guy comes to me and goes, I have auto rikshaw. Rs 50. I went, bhaiya please. Das rupiye mein pahunch jaate hain. He looked at me and said 'your hindi is good!' WTF.
German bakery - beautiful chicken momos and coke and WD's City of Djinns. I was breaking the family fast today. Bad girl. Walked to a book stall. Bought Khushwant Singh's Delhi. The shopkeeper asked me:
Do you like to read astrology?
Me: Na
SK: I am famous astrologer. I do face reading palm reading star reading everything. Foreigners write four-five pages in their books, international bestsellers about me.
Me: Wow
SK: hehe
Me: Are you accurate?
SK: Actually, I was born 22 years after my parents married. At the age of five, my mother took me to a tantrik. My village in Guwhati had lots of problems. Cows getting lost, people getting kidnapped. The tantrik brought a mirror to my face. I could tell them the exact location of the cow and the kidnapped people. I am always accurate. I am very good. You can try me.
Me: Thanks. Will do!
Exit. Phew. Day well spent.
