So I thought that I'd put down some of the things that have struck me while I'm here. None of them are hugely significant, but hopefully will add up to give a flavour of the place.
This blog's title comes from lyrics to Elvis Costello's High Fidelity. The words come to mind repeatedly when I'm here. At least, I hope I don't get used to lots of the things I see. Many of these are things I don't feel that I can take photos of yet - the lowest levels of poverty seem so stripped of human dignity that taking pictures of it just seem wrong. I kind of hope that I can get over that feeling while I'm here so that I can get the pictures. I also hope that the people are prepared to let me take the pictures - I'm not at all sure I would in their places.
The drive to work in the morning is a prime example. It only takes 10 - 15 minutes to get there in the taxi, leaving the 5 star hotel at about 8:10. However, the route takes us through a very poor part of town and there is consistency to the trip.
We turn right out of the hotel and try to turn right under the flyover being built. This normally takes a while, but leads on to the main road, a shopping area with some fancy shops. We turn off just before the next flyover, past the older couples (mostly) living on the street there. Turning left we go over a bridge with lots of other cars, bikes, motor bikes, lorries, and the occasional hand or buffalo cart (which really slows things down).
Turning onto a one way system we go under a flyover. On the right there is a young man in shorts who is washing himself and is covered in soap (if he isn't there then we're running late). Opposite him and a little further up a family is normally just beginning the process of getting up. They have no shelter other than some blankets. Back to the right hand side of the road there is a small shrine, and a family group a bit further up. The older woman has dyed red hair (apparently a sign that she's been on a pilgrimage). As we turn right there are 3 children sleeping on the pavement.
The main road that we take from there to work has a number of shops down both sides (including barbers / wet shavers). There is also a lovely looking white temple with the upper dome covered in scaffolding (as with so many buildings here). Just a little bit further down the road is what I call Tent Alley. There's maybe a dozen families living on the pavement, each with some sort of fabric out over the pavements like a tent. Whole families live in these and it's normal to see them dressing, washing, cooking (around open fires that they set up) and generally living their lives.
The final thing of note before we get to work is the double shrine. There's a standard shrine, then a small stall selling flower garlands, and then next to it is a large stand containing a super-size replica of the Cricket World Cup.
Incidentally, last week there was a report in the newspaper about a Mumbai building collapsing, killing 4 people. I read that, thought 'how terrible, but at least it's front page news', and then read on to see that it was the 34th such collapse in 2 years. In the one city. Scary.
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