I suppose I shouldn't let it sound so routine or drab. Let's start again...
A glorious winter morning in Delhi greeted me. The chill of the morning air caused me to consider bringing a sweater out with me today. It could be readily compared to a sunny spring day in Seattle in feel and light.
However the similarity was to end with that alone.
Entering the city today gave us a view of an elephant battling the traffic jam. I must say that it seemed to be fairing better than we were at the time we saw it.
We made our way to the Connaught Place area to a music instrument store that mummy used to patronize as a youth. In fact it has been in place for over 120 years. We were searching for a smaller set of Kathak bells for me to take home. The ones I trained with were literally 5-7lbs on each ankle and the bells were so large that I cut my foot on them twice during some of the moves.
Next to this music shop was a interesting store called People Tree:
This place is like many in that it is supplied by a series of worker cooperatives. It isn't merely general handicarfts, though. It has a more focused and contemporary collection of items. Some of the crafts were surely directed to be created in this way.
Later we also went to the Jan Path shopping area on the outer rim of Connaught Place. This area was the first time that I encountered a wide variety of export-quality goods.
This trip as well as with the last to India left me wondering why all the cool stuff was sent to Pier One Imports or Cost Plus World Market in the U.S.
In this area I literally saw things that I had purchased in the States. It was like find a long lost twin that one didn't know existed. Well perhaps not that overwhelming, but something along those lines nonetheless.
The big trip of the day was Jantar Mantar. This place is really amazing. It is a combination of large scaled instruments used to map and measure celestial bodies. It is one of several across India in the 1700's.
After dusting off the red dust of the fresh paint we made our way to lunch at McDonalds. Yes it was only the first time since I've been here. Even though it is 'fast food' here it doesn't' seem as bad because the food choices are more veg friendly and 'appear' healthier. As a note to my fellow Americans, well to the ones who eat beef, you will not be getting any Big Macs in India.
On the way home I finally remembered to snap the construction of this mall. It claims 1km of shopping on each level. There were 7 levels. That's 4.5 miles of shops. Not too shabby by Western standards, but insane by present Indian ones. However, this is becoming less uncommon as the middle-class increases in this country.
In the foreground of this image you will notice some corrugated steel sheets standing on their side end. Just behind these are shanties improvised for the construction workers of this massive project. I could see people showering and cooking. Laundry was drying as well. On the top of one of the roofs stood a woman with her child looking out at the construction.
On the way home I finally remembered to snap the construction of this mall. It claims 1km of shopping on each level. There were 7 levels. That's 4.5 miles of shops. Not too shabby by Western standards, but insane by present Indian ones. However, this is becoming less uncommon as the middle-class increases in this country.
In the foreground of this image you will notice some corrugated steel sheets standing on their side end. Just behind these are shanties improvised for the construction workers of this massive project. I could see people showering and cooking. Laundry was drying as well. On the top of one of the roofs stood a woman with her child looking out at the construction.
My overall impression of these large development projects, at least from the perspective of the day laborer, is that they are quite the same as those in the U.S. There is a want for a quick turn around and a need for as much cheap labor as possible. It's amazing how humans all over the world are capable of seeing others as expendable and replaceable when generating wealth for themselves is concerned.
It's funny that Karl Marx seriously tried to rationally address this issue in a way that could have possibly offered a new and pragmatic approach to understanding human and labor relations. However, this was corrupted by the reality of human limitations with regard to stemming greed and overcoming power lust. Perhaps someday we will get it right, whether it's Marx's way or not I don't know and I don't think it really matters. So long as it happens and those who herald it in are strong in character and open in mind.
Take care!
Peace,
A Pink American
It's funny that Karl Marx seriously tried to rationally address this issue in a way that could have possibly offered a new and pragmatic approach to understanding human and labor relations. However, this was corrupted by the reality of human limitations with regard to stemming greed and overcoming power lust. Perhaps someday we will get it right, whether it's Marx's way or not I don't know and I don't think it really matters. So long as it happens and those who herald it in are strong in character and open in mind.
Take care!
Peace,
A Pink American
