My takkies

Well, for those of you patiently awaiting the next instalment - there isn't much of one - but I thought I would add the fun of my takkies that I am wearing instead of the Football Friday shirts - all painted by yours truly - as I said to Christine (our wonderful IT lady) - I can understand why people give up their day jobs to paint - such fun!!!!

I have finished my next pic, but haven't taken a pic of it yet - so you'll have to wait! It is lovely - even if I say so myself! :-)

Friday - and a collapse time! :-)

Just had the most wonderful chat with Margaret, with whom I have hardly
corresponded for AGES!!!!

Our Chaplain at the school once commented that I was "blessed" - and that has stayed with me for ages. I truly am blessed and have some wonderful people in my life - who may be a long distance from me - but they are always near to my heart. It's funny to think about that when there are times when I really struggle and feel down at the same time - so, I guess that is something that I need to hang up as a memory that needs to be drawn upon whenever I am going through one of those "dark patches" in my life.

I have been reading Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, and this sort of fits in with my serialised reporting of my trip to India. There are a couple of thoughts that I found quite interested and thought I would put them out there for people to look at (if they so wish) and possibly even offer their thoughts about the two extracts. So, here goes!

The first is when the speaker of the book, Lin or Shantaram, who is actually Australian in the novel, but now living on the run in Bombay (I'm giving this background for people who haven't read the book), sits down on the border of a slum where he is currently living, on a large rock and looks out to sea contemplating life and love. He is joined by one of the other residents of the slum, who has a fairly senior position in the hierarchy of the slum in particular, but also in the "underworld" of Bombay.

"It is very beautiful, isn't it?," Johnny Cigar asked, sitting beside me and
staring out at the dark, impatient restlessness of the waves.

"Yeah," I answered, passing him a cigarette.

"our life probably began inside of the ocean," Johnny said quietly. "About
four thousand million years before now. Probably near hot places, like volcanoes,
under the sea."

I turned to look at him.

"And for almost all of that long time, all the living things were water
things, living inside the sea. Then, a few million years ago, maybe a little
more - just a little while, really, in the big history of the Earth - the living
things began to be living on the land, as well."

I was frowning ans smiling at the same time, surprised and bewildered. I held
my breath, afraid that any sound might interrupt his musing.

"But in a way you can say that after leaving the sea, after all those
millions of years of living inside the sea, we took the ocean with us. When a
woman makes a baby, she gives it water, inside her body, to grow in. That water
inside her body is almost exactly the same as the water of the sea. It is salty,
by just the same amount. She makes a little ocean, in her body. And not only
this. Our blood and our sweating, they are both salty, almost exactly like the
water from the sea is salty. We carry oceans inside of us, in our blood and our
sweat. And we are crying the oceans in our tears."

He fell silent..."

The next extract is much longer - I'll share it another time.
Yesterday, I took our exchange students, along with one of the Mums and Christine Ashton, my colleague from the Girls' College to the Apartheid Museum. I was intrigued to see how this group would react , as when I had taken the six we had with us in the first term, they responded with the comment that amounted to the fact that they could not get over how far South Africa had come in such a brief space of time. That group comprised two Peruvian students, a Colombian, a Canadian, one from Tasmania and one from Scotland.

This group was made up of two Australian students, one from Argentina, one from Oman, one from the International school in Thailand and the other five from India. Their experience was quite different - even within the group. There were some who found it so out of their frame of reference that I think all of it simply amounted to a case of going around and having a look at things "from the past". This group in particular were more interested in the possibility of going across to Gold Reef City's theme park rather than spending the time at the Museum. The rest were more interested, but my sense was that they had not got from it the same as last term's group. It will be interesting to find out their thoughts when I meet with them again next week. I had planned to take them to the Newtown Precinct and then to the Oriental Plaza, but I think I need to think about that a little more - especially after all the time I have been off this week - did a two-day Emotional Intelligence for Leadership Course, so, in effect was out of the office for three of the five days, and then had late nights on two of the four at school. Hate to say this but age is catching up with me!!!

Well all for now!

All my love to all of you!

Second painting complete

Morning all!
Well, here it is - the second of the series of five paintings that I am doing - hope that you approve! Mum has given it her stamp of approval - which is quite something when she is one of the arty ones in the family.

Planning to spend today making a good start on the third one - am SO looking forward to that.

Am also hoping to chat to Silks - who seems to be going through one of those awful patches again! Silks, we all love and miss you!

Lots of love
Wendy

India - Part 2

So, once we arrived at the hotel, drank the very sweet juice, we then off with the rest of our tour party to "discover the sights and experience a little of what New Delhi has to offer. I discovered that there is old and new - exactly because that is what the two parts of the city are. It seems to be the case in a number of places in India where new developments have sprung up and so there is an old part of the city and a new one. Most interesting!

I was fascinated by the fact that there were so many unfinished buildings all over the place, and it was only a couple of days into our trip that Christine made the comment that this was because this was a way that a building owner could avoid paying taxes - simply don't finish the building and then one does not have to pay taxes. So all over the various parts of India we travelled there were a large number of unfinished buildings.

The second thing that we found quite interesting was that there was a lot of general construction going on. We were soon enlightened that this was due to the upcoming Commonwealth Games that India is hosting - so I guess the road works that we have been battling in SA are fairly typical for any "host city" of any major event!

Part of our experience in New Delhi was to go on a subway. The trip lasted all of about ten minutes, and to be frank, I thought the tour operator was VERY brave herding about 70 people (adults and children) who made up our tour party onto and off the subway trains. It was quite an experience for me! I am sure that for any of you who have travelled subways before, this is a fairly common experience - but, it was my first! Standing in a crush where the designated markings showed the doors of the train would open. As the train came whooshing in, it was a case of people pushing to get off and us pushing to get on. We then travelled at a lickity split speed for all of probably a few minutes down three stops, and at the third we were all told we had to get off - at the door opposite the one we had rushed onto. So, the same procedure was experienced, the push-pull of people alighting and clambering aboard.

Once in the actual terminus things were pretty ordinary as such. No weird smells, etc. Clean and chaotic, but nothing untoward. Great fun was had at the turnstiles in and out. All were counted and had to go through detectors - I can't quite recall whether we were patted down, but I do know that there was, as is everywhere in India, a place for the men and a separate (and slightly more closeted environment) for the women. Once we were all through, it was back to street level, where we were then herded to the MacDonald's. The mind boggles!

The Metro corridors - in case you are interested! :-)

The trek through the streets of the city was rather chaotically snake-like. When we arrived, no forward planning had happened. Instead we crowded into what must be one of the smaller MacDonald's in the world, and from there there was a relay of messages as orders were placed. Firstly there was the issue of Vegetarian and meat, and then the cokes. We had all been told "DO NOT DRINK ANYTHING WITH ICE IN IT" - or you will get "Delhi-belly". Huge consternation! The drinks all came with ice.

Another relayed message and it was established that the ice was indeed from spring water and was perfectly safe. Some elected not to risk it - others were braver. Then it was a case of perching on whatever surface one could find in order to guzzle the meal, before off to the buses.

Once we were all aboard and accounted for, we went off to discover one of what I discovered were a number of "India Gates". We parked a distance from the actual "Gate" and then had to walk along a pathway until we got to the place. I was fascinated to see that there was a field near the "Gate" and in it were a large number of youngsters, all playing cricket - I think there must have been about 4 cricket games on the go while we were there - all at the same time!

Two pics of the informal cricket games

We then moved on to "India Gate" which was behind a barricade that prevented vehicles from entering at all. Within that barricade there were hordes of hawkers selling everything from henna applications, to pink candy-floss, to various toys, to you name it! Again that rising tide of "no thank you" and no eye contact was pretty perpetual with me. Although I have to say that I was sorely tempted to have a henna tattoo and swore I would do so before I left India - but sad to say, that was one thing I did not manage!




The various vendors and sellers as they tried to peddle their wares. Food open on the streets was something quite common - but I hate to confess, not something I tried.

This photo amused me. I tried to get the Saints crew together in order to take a pic of them in front of India Gate. Quickly the numbers multiplied until we had our entire touring party huddled together for the photo that was now "officially" being taken by the tour operator. While this was happening this crowd of rather bemused onlookers gathered. So here we have the photographed being watched!
And then finally to the magnificent statue that is one of the "India Gates" of India. The history and such like I cannot comment upon - but there you have it!

And so now to one final thing before I end this chapter. The pic below is something that is not, as one would hope, an unusual sight in India. As we left India Gate, this entire four-membered family clung onto their motor-bike and as the sun was setting and darkness fell, so they disappeared to their routine lives - probably blissfully unaware that they would one day be able to be seen by all and sundry who happen to wade through my pages! :-) They were more than willing - quite delighted in actual fact - to pose for this picture!

All for the time being - and thanks so much to all who have enjoyed these posts! I enjoy getting the feedback!

Lots of love!

My trip to India - September/October 2009 - Part 1

Finally, a chance to put down some of what occurred in India when I travelled there last year for the International Round Square Conference and PreConference Tour.

Someone really special in my life, warned me that India would be an assault on my senses. She also told me of the abject poverty, the variety and so much more. She prepared me well! I was amazed at how much of a flood of experiences it was.

People often ask about the experience, and so from the outset, let me try and sum up a few things. I enjoyed the experience; and very pleased I went; met some of the most wonderful people; but, unless under a trip I was able to have more control over, I don't think that I would be rushing back - but at the same time, I would never having given up the opportunity for anything!

In addition, it was the perfect chance for me to get a better idea of what the boys who go over on exchange experience. It has also made me more aware that there are certain people who can make it, and others who would not. It also gave me an incredible respect for the boys who do go over on exchange - it is a very different experience from what we are used to in South Africa!

We left OR Tambo, flew Emirates to Dubai, the caught a connector to Delhi. Emirates was very pleasant - both there and back. During the lay-over in Dubai, I have to confess that I was expecting all sorts of wonders - instead it was a somewhat more sterile environment, but OR Tambo is just as wonderful! I KNOW that I am patriotic, but I have to be honest, OR Tambo is a world-class airport!

Our flight from Dubai to Delhi was my initiation to what I would come to expect in India - curried=effect eggs for breakfast - not my usual fare - so I gave the eggs something of a miss and found some other bits on the plate to eat.

When we arrived at Delhi, we were met by the brother who co-owns the travel agency who had organised the PreConference tour. As became usual I discovered, we were garlanded with marigold - beautiful (as were most wondrous sights in India) but hellish when the lovely flowers marked one's clothes (thank heavens for my wonderful mum!). Herewith a pic of my colleague on the Girls' College side, Christine Pope (Ashton following her wonderful wedding in December), the head of the Girls' College, Ivanka Acquisto, the Governor Representative of the College, Deidre Penfold, and me - all garlanded up!


Then it was into the Delhi traffic!


That has to be seen to be believed!!! I swear the vehicles in India can breathe! The numbers of times we squeezed through spaces that were definitely too small for the actual vehicles in which we travelled to squeeze through. But, we got to the first hotel safe and sound.


It was our next taste of India!


In order to save costs, we had booked three to a room. For future reference this is something that one should query. If you book more than one to a room in an Indian hotel - make sure that you stipulate exactly what you want - if you are okay with sharing a double bed when there are two to a room, then you will fine - we didn't have this information! So our first room was a double bed with a mattress on the floor. Christine's long trip and all the lead up to the trip finally caught up with her and on all our behalves she threw her toys and informed the tour operator that this was NOT something that one could expect from three grown women - Ivanka, Christine and me. He looked so mortified - and simply in his defence he stated that he hadn't been aware that that would be a problem, and we should have simply informed him! We were moved that evening to a twin set for Christine and me, while Ivanka remained in the double bed room.


It was a bit of a rush after our arrival at the hotel and soon we were hurried to get a glass of what was probably more sugar than fruit, posing as fruit juice. Very sweet, but palatable! It was also a moment for laughter as one of the girls in our delegation decided to "model" the collection of garlands, Here Melissa poses with her new fashionable "headgear!


And now, I think that that is the first of the serialised version - and as suggested by my sis, Brenda, I will now try a spellcheck! - Had a wonderful chat to her today!!!

Another glorious sunset - the colours - and yes! that is the moon in the far right corner of the pic!

Where the mist was rolling in from. The viw to the bottom - a pristine beach with the true beauty of this day!

The beauty from almost the top of Cape Point - you can see the mists rolling in on the left from the sea that is in the next picture. Note too the wonderful vegetation. This was part of the trail - and looks so easy here, but it certainly had me huffing and puffing for the first part in particular!

Sunrise - taken from our room on the third morning in Cape Town when we were staying at Rocklands B&B in Simonstown. The banks of mist rolled in - but when we went to Cape Point - there was virtually nothing - and what there was just added a certain mysticism to everything.

The view of Cape Town's Soccer Stadium for the 2010 World Cup. Surrounding it some of the beauty of Cape Town and a beautiful sea view!

And finally a pic of my first of five paintings

The pic isn't great, but it gives an idea of what I am trying to capture.

I am VERY happy with this one!!!

More from the beautiful Cape!

I live in a beautiful country! The sunset on the evening after our trip to Robben Island.

A beautiful sunset!

A beautiful sun setting as people gathered to view the new Cape Town Stadium.

What can I say - the beauty of the Cape - Table Mountain in the background and the harshness of Robben Island in the foreground. The beautiful sea in between!

Sunday afternoons and other thoughts

Well, been quite a while, and sort of wonder whether this is a simple entry into cyber space that is worth more than just my thoughts and ideas! Funny, I have often wondered whether the blogs have any relevance in other people's lives! I think they do when one is famous, but when you are just "little old me" that is something different! :-)

Been a crazy week after the most sublime week in Cape Town. I had to make sure that the exchange student who is visiting and I managed to get onto the Conference and Post Conference that the weather we experienced down there was NOT the norm - but instead, that was the weather we usually enjoy in Gauteng and the weather in Gauteng was NOT the usual G weather, but rather the Cape type weather - all rather topsy turvey.

I made my first visit to Robben Island and was amazed by both the meaningfulness of the place, but also of the dichotomy that existed there - the beauty from the island (on that day at least!) - and then the absolute stark almost cruelty of nature that reflected what the island has basically stood for for so many years. The trees and plants are completely "attacked" by the wind and there is no real place that one can actually gain protection from the elements when they do arrive and settle on the island.

On the day that we all went out we had a sea that was like a still lake with the beautiful idyllic sea as blue as any island destination that looks so beautiful! We went out on a large catamaran that seated over 350 people and travelled across the sea at quite a speed!

The rest of the week was wonderful! Lots of challenge mixed with a good deal of "catching up" with people I had not seen for quite a while. I walked from the bottom of Cape Point, up a rather steep (well, to me at least! :-)) climb, before settling on a relatively steady climb that I could manage quite well. It gave me great satisfaction to be able to look back on something I would never have thought that I could have done. Apart from the beauty that enveloped me, the pristine air that at times I gulped in and at others I was just simply able to fill my lungs with, it was such an incredible experience!

And then to the last week, where there just has not been a moment to catch my breath! I flew back lunch-time Monday and straight into school to ensure I had all "my ducks in a row" for the Colours Meeting at 6 that evening, and then from that point it was simply a case of trying to hang on for dear life as the week whizzed by with work, work, work.

This weekend has, in the main, been a case of catch up. A chance to try and find the DVD that we need to do with our Life Orientation classes and then the rest of the time has been spent as almost "down time". This morning I managed to start the second of my five paintings that I am doing - what a pleasure. Mr Sandman caught hold of me at midday, and so it was a snooze for Mum and I, and then this afternoon has been a gloriously techno intensive time, Skyping Silks, catching up on emails and such like!

And so to the week ahead. A relatively busy one planned - but one where I am looking forward to trying to make some sense of the craziness that exists in my office!