First day in Puri

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.