15th August

Today is Indian Independence Day. The President gives a speech from the Red Fort but no one goes along to it really. We had an interesting conversation the other night with the Indian girls in our dorm room about politics. One of them proclaimed herself an atheist and a communist. Her father is even a member of the party. She told us that apart from the Communist there is no ‘left’ in Indian politics. The Congress merely gets the label of liberalism because they are secular, unlike the BJP. Their policies are the same, but the BJP comes with the added dimension of hatred that is not evident in Congress. She seemed so disaffected, and yet so passionate about the failings of those in power. I have noticed as well all the student organizations here carry a political allegiance and a degree of militancy that is not expressed at home. Last week there were demonstrations, and even a hunger strike went on to protest against a government bill on education. The militancy of Indian students certainly surpasses anything ‘Rent For Less’ could do at home.

This afternoon we went out to Parana Ganj and waded through the streets for a couple of hours. We didn’t really think about the fact that it had been raining, and the street there is just compacted mud, which had turned to thick sludge. Every time a Tuc Tuc came by you got sprayed with the muck. There are cows in that part of the city as well, so it was probably not just the usual combination of muck and piss. We bought some trousers (I have succumbed to the harem pants) and some little elephant wall hangers. I got a beautiful bright yellow beaded hanging for my wall.

We got fed up of wading and went up to a roof top café, only to be assailed by millions of flies. The coffee tasted slightly funky as well, so we left quickly. If I am poisoned, I will not be best pleased. It was almost worth it though, as we saw hundreds of kites up in the air. There were kids standing on every available rooftop flying multi-coloured paper kites, and it was quite spectacular.

We decided to go to Connaught Place early to see about getting a bag before dinner. Apparently the Dutch folks have booked a place for us all. Went to this awesome bag shop and got a knock-off Chloe bag for a1500 Rs. It is black leather and quite big, so I will be able to put a lot into it, which is nice.

Dinner was weird. We went to this Thai restaurant, and I had a really nice plate of Phat Thai noodles. It was nice as well to see the American we met the other night again. He is really sweet and a good talker, like all Americans hahaha. But half the Dutch buggered off after the meal and didn’t leave enough money which was annoying. David was funny though; he clapped his hands like a little girl when we told him about the soft furnishings in Fab India. He is so incredibly gay, and yet straight in reality. Metro I guess…very European. Also he likes Roxy Music, so I will have to give him some Talking Heads and some Bowie to cement his glam education. The more Eno, the better.

I think there are bugs in my room and I can’t find them. One was crawling in and out of the keys of the laptop before I caught up with it and managed to squish it. I think I might get the spray off Amanda tomorrow and give it a good once over before I go out anywhere. Not a nice sensation to think there are bugs everywhere. Euch.