It’s my first night in Puri and 7pm and another power cut –
at least 4 I have counted today. The journey here was tiring but 30hours went
faster than I thought it would and the train was only 1 hour late. During my
various chats with people on the train included the Dean of the University in
Gayan – a Doctor of philosophy and women’s rights. She asked me to go to her Uni.
next week and give a talk of my experiences of the struggle women have in
society.
The next person apparently worked in rubber tyre recycling
and gave me his card – just in case!
When I arrived in Puri there was some confusion at first as
to whether this was the main station or not but then the consensus was that it
was so we disembarked.
My person to meet me wasn’t there to meet me but thanks to a
very friendly hotel owner and a short phone call later Basantjee was on his
way, by motorbike, so I had to ride in a rickshaw anyway, but at least he paid
for it. It was still only 6.30am but along came someone with my new trusted
steed – a 100cc ……. Which I politely said thanks but not today as too tired
from journey and will need practice on a quiet road. That has given me 24hours
respite. At 11am I was picked up and taken to the SNDAYP offices and centre to
meet the staff I would be working with and see the department. I was politely
reminded to take my shoes off at the door and was ushered into a small
rectangular room where 14 eager pairs of eyes looked up at me from their
cross-legged seats on the floor. This was their end of month meeting and a
chance for me to introduce myself and to learn their names – well that will
take more than one telling if anyone knows me!!!! They were all smiles and I
felt that they held me a little in awe which I felt uncomfortable with – when
they know me hopefully they will relax and realise we are all on a par when it
comes to our work.
I was taken back to my flat and arranged to be taken
shopping at 5pm. This was actually a good experience as riding pillion isn’t
half as scary as seeing them all dodging traffic – still some disorder but
nothing like Delhi! I was taken to buy cleaning stuff, cooking stuff, bedding
stuff, milk and stuff and oh yes – a mattress – all easily transported back to
my flat on the back of the motor bike – along with me! I wouldn’t have believed
it either! On getting back to my flat it was in darkness – which is when I
started writing this blog. The lights have now come on and I have cleaned my
fridge, had 2 cups of tea and put my new mattress and sheets on my bed – home
sweet home!
Before this very memorable shopping trip I had a few hours
to rest and sort things out. With not the faintest idea where anything was I
decided to stroll to the beach. Basantjee had said it was just 2kms due east so
off I set to discover there was the great big railway station in the way. So I
hopped into an auto-rickshaw and he showed me a good cheap place to eat and the
best beach in Puri. The restaurant was not one I would have gone into by my own
choice the name Mickey Mouse restaurant doesn’t conjure up a good image and it
looked like greasy Joe’s café. Inside you could see the chef cooking in woks
over gas rings, there were cats roaming free, and Greasy Joe himself looked as
if he could take out Mike Tyson in the first round and probably had! The food
was however cooked to order so you had to wait but you knew it would be good
and it was a reasonable price. While waiting for my meal a young Indian couple
came in and the young girl asked if she could have her photo taken with me.
This still feels very strange but I have been asked several times now and they
seem very proud of their new ‘picture acquaintance’!
Apart from meeting my new work colleagues I must say that
the other highlight of my day was to finally dip my toes in the ocean! I felt
like I could have stayed there all day but my rickshaw taxi was waiting and I
didn’t want him to charge me more (I needed
him as I still don’t know where my flat is) for waiting. I met lifeguard no22
who was very helpful and took the pictures attached. If I wanted to swim I
could leave my things at his lifeguard station. He said he was a very strong
swimmer and when I enquired about SCUBA diving he said he did free diving,
SCUBA you had to go down the coast. The sand is a coarse texture and golden
yellow, the sea warm and inviting. There was a group of young lads playing in
the surf – some had their shirts off, I could see fishing boats out at sea, and
the wind was whipping up warm soothing spray – heaven!
I have a free day tomorrow and
now I have some idea where the shops are I may venture to actually cook my
first meal in my new flat. The flat is very spacious and cool with high
ceilings and white walls however it looks fairly sparse and plain. It is very
secure with iron bars on the windows and triple locks on the front door. I
shall see how my allowance goes towards some rugs and wall hangings and maybe
some plants as well. The roof terrace will be a good space I think in the heat
of an evening if I can get some cheap furniture for it. The terrace will be
ideal for starting my tomato plants J.
