Do The D.A.N.C.E.

I've had a pretty nice few days since the wedding... On Tuesday I was on my second working day with no work to keep me occupied.. it's been a little frustrating and was feeling a little lonely for other reasons so decided to go for a walk through town.

As I was walking along I recognised a familiar frame peering through a shop window. It was Alfie from Agra. I had been told that you end up bumping into people on your way round India but I still found it strange that in a country of over 1 billion it actually happens. Anyhows, it was a pleasant surprise, especially as we had both tried and failed to contact each other since Agra and were both under the impression that the other did not want to meet up. Seems that the cosmos saw it p to right that wrong.

Alfie was travelling with a group of Italians from the Veneto region which was nice, I had a chance to practice a little of my Italian with them. I spoke to Pasqualino quite a lot, a lovely guy in his early fifties who had been coming to India for the last 7 or so years to compliment his new found respect of his body and mind... he told me of his hedonistic days of vice and 'sin' and of his new life and quest for peace... I've been getting really annoyed with the hippies out here, Ellen and Duncan described them as the 'Namaste Crowd'. That is those people who walk around putting their palms together in thoughtless piety and greeting everyone, English-speaking or not with 'Namaste'. They also dress like no Indian would dream of... are likely searching for their spiritual centre and love the environment (despite having had to fly and pollute for over 4,ooo miles for the pleasure)... they also seem to be the least friendly of people out here, I get the impression that greeting westerners (they rarely seem to) will sully their journey... 'cliquey' doesn't get close. That said, I really liked Pasqualino, he was a lovely guy who in the short time we spoke left me feeling really positive... a short but sweet encounter.

(Also, going back to the Namaste crowd, I have had conversations with a few Indians now, old and young, men and women, who have told me they always reciprocate the solemn 'namastes' of the 'Namaste Crowd' but generally WET themselves once they have walked by... this in a cynical way, makes me smile:)

I had coffee with Alfie and the Italian group that he was tagging along with... I left them prematurely to go to a 'traditional' folk dance performance... which I loved... it was kind of cheesy and there is no way of knowing whether or not the performances were authentic or watered down for a western palate... but it was great... head-juggling-puppetry, vibrant swirling dresses, headspinning-pot-balancing wonder...cymbal-flicking... it had the lot. I took videos which I think came out well, however I have yet to find Internet connection that can upload them but I did find some links of the same performances on Youtube here and here.

Will stop writing now... It was nice to see Alfie before he goes back and to have had the chance to clear up the confusion... and also nice to practice some Italian. Now I have work finally to do having attended a training day for the tribal women supported by Seva Mandir yesterday, I am now off for the second day. Will keep you posted!