A lazy day in Indore

I woke up around 8am this morning. The latest for sometime.

Spent the morning lazing around and relaxing after a very hard week. At lunchtime Anne, Marian, Neils and I headed off to find somewhere to eat...

We stepped out of the cosetted environment of the Landmark Hotel in Indore onto one of the main drags through the new part of the city. Heres what we encountered.

I would guess less than 100m from the Hotel we came across a small park, we paid 10rupees to get in. There were a few locals enjoying a leisurely walk away from the noise, dirt and hustle and bustle of Indore. Anne saw a camel across the park and we switched direction.

Sure enough it was real. Without much hesitation Marian and Neils were up on the camel riding round a small section of the park. Not one to pass a one off opportunity I too had a go. Anne was wearing a skirt and decided it wasn't going to be easy to get on and maintain dignity!
Riding a Camel in Indore

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Here's Niels and Marian doing the same...

We continued to wander and chat round the park, saw a number of families having picnics in this lovely tranquil corner of mayhem. Before long we returned to the entrance gate and re-entered reality.

Today something big was going on. We later discovered that there was a big religious gathering with a famous Hindu speaker which is why the crowds were so big. Everyone was out in their Sunday best.

It was utter madness on the roads, noise, smoke, people everywhere.
Busy streets of Indore

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A few hundred yards further on we popped into posh hotel for some lunch. This was another oasis of peace away from the madness outside. Once again a superb curry was had. Here's the others all sitting at the table, and the curry I ate.




After a great lunch we wandered further up the road, coming to a brand new small shopping mall. Here we purchased a few goodies for those back home and enjoyed a bit of shopping. I cant believe I just wrote that last sentence.

Once done, Niels and I sat outside watching the world pass and got chatting to 2 young chaps who asked us if we were Indian! Turned out they were both studying software engineering. They couldn't believe in when a few moments later Marian came out and gave them a stick of chocolate each. You should have seen the look on their faces.

Just across the road parked up was my favourite vehicle of the trip - no idea what they are called! But, imagine one at a beach with surf boards on top and a bunch of friends in the back. I just think they look so mad they are cool. I've seen loads with upto 20 people or so stuffed in the back of them.


By now it was starting to get dark so we headed back to our hotel. On the way stopping at a few of the street sellers stalls to buy a few little things. Here I was affected by the most extreme poverty I've ever seen. Some little girls not looking much older than my own 4 year old daughter came up to us asking for money. They were wearing little more than rags, and these were black with dirt, their poor little faces thin with hunger. They had no shoes and probably lived rough with the many other people we've seen. I felt really sorry for them but by now only had big bills left in my wallet. Anne gave them some coins she had and we moved on. It may get them some food today I thought...

Back at the hotel, we drank tea in comfort. That sight will stick with me for sometime.

Marian and Niels had booked a bus to Bombay, and had to leave at 7pm. Suddenly it felt really strange to be saying goodbye to some really good friends. Anne and I were quite sad after they had gone. So we did some work and had a few beers. Its a funny old life this. In the past few days we had all got to know each other really well and we have a great deal in common. We all do this job because we love it, not for the financial reward. Its an adventure, almost a calling and the work of the Organic Exchange has brought many such people together. Some of the best and most inspiring people I have ever worked with.

Tomorrow I leave Anne behind in the hotel on her own and head off to work at another company for a couple of days before heading back to England. By a quirk of fate my flight out of Bombay is an hour later than Niels and Marian's back to Amsterdam so we'll meet up for a beer in Bombay I hope in 2 days time.

While sitting eating our beer a text came in on the mobile from Niels and Marian to tell us that the bus has beds! So they are travelling in comfort...