Book List

Spending time in Darjiling I've had a great opportunity just to read. I haven't had that in so long. Reading is such a precious thing, the stories of lives and places unknown (and sometimes all-too-familiar). Thus far I've had a chance to read Galveston by Paul Quarrington, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, Brighton Rock by Graham Greene and The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. Reading Mistry and Roy have brought more depth and breadth to the way I look at India. Quarrington, Haddon and Greene have helped me to escape - if only for brief moments - from the intensity of this country. The balance (the fine balance) between depression, acceptance and elation over the past weeks has been difficult. Days go by where there is little interaction with the real stories, the real lives of people around. And yet there are days like yesterday, and the day before that, where these stories become real, they become real in the telling. The tale told at breakfast time of the child who works daily at his parents' restaurant. He works not because he's on a break from school. He doesn't work there because he necessarily wants. He works because there is no choice. no option. I see him everyday at breakfast. Frequenting his parents' shop. His parents' shop that barely makes enough money to keep them off the street and in clothes. His parents' shop that serves some of the best Chai in this city. His parents' shop that barely accomodates twelve people, but accomodates a lot of bullshit from tourists all the same. Lives lived accomodating others in order to survive. Who can afford anything else? The other choice is poverty, and the street. And what choice is that? it isn't much of a choice at all. What choice have I? I make the choice to go back every morning and eat at this place. I make the choice to leave a tip for them, hopefully helping them out a little bit. But what choices can I make wherever I am to deal with the poverty that exists here? Who should I support, who should I withhold support from? Who's responsible for the plight of the working poor here in India? Anywhere in the world? certainly not me...

Photos Up

I've mostly been taking photos the old-fashioned way, with film, but I'm toting a digicam with me too - so as to post some images from my time here. There aren't a lot by any stretch, but they do tell a bit more of the story than what I've been able to relate in words. The four latest galleries include photos from my time in Kolkata with the first team, as well as time in Darjiling, my visit to the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre, and the trip Laura, Lisa, Esther and I took to Gangtok. I don't have a lot of photos of people in Kolkata. Why? It's pretty freaking rude to just walk up to people and snap photos. The one thing I've been most conscious of while taking photos is not to exploit the images of poverty I see every day. Perhaps after spending another month in that city I'll be able to share some images of the streets, but for now I don't feel comfortable posting such things online. I'm back in Darjiling now, and enjoying the mountain air. Nepali food is simply divine (are there any restaurants in Toronto?) . I've been getting to know some local Christians -- having spent time with a local pastor, and the worship team at his church. It'll be great to spend some more time with them, and maybe even hook up a worship night sometime. The band is playing a concert shortly, and I might go to check it out. That could be awesome. Last night was an incredible walk home. Birds chirping, the nighttime cloud cover coming down around me, the moon off in the distance, and something electric in the air. If only I had a rooftop patio to sit on and sip a glass of wine...One day I'll build me a house here, and then it'll be all good. Have I mentioned I love this place? As soon as the photos are uploaded, I'm heading off for some momos, and maybe some Thukpa. Mmm. Food. I'd be extremely fat for all the food I'm eating, except that everywhere I walk is uphill or downhill. My body is being sculpted by force of being here. Woo.

Retreat

It's been awhile, yeah? I think it has a lot to do with my affinity for the Shakira, Ricky Martin and Shaggy that seems to be blasting from most every stereo in the region. Parted from the rest of the group yesterday, and have been spending some time hiking, writing and reading. And drinking loads of tea. It's nice'n'cool in darjiling and I'm taking full advantage of the weather to just hike. I'm gonna have a rock solid ass walking up and down these mountain roads every day. I'll keep everyone posted. One of these days I'll actually post some photos. I swear. Just not taken the time to do it lately...but one day. One day!