story #3- Sad (don't worry, we'll end on a high note)
This is a short one, but pretty powerful. It was certainly tough to experience.
First one: To begin my travels I went to my dad's apartment in Bangalore to drop off most of my things. There was enough time for us to spend as afternoon exploring Bangalore. We grabbed a Rickshaw to go to some destination (I don't remember whree we wer going). As is very common in India, we got caught in traffic. As is also common in India, beggars and vendors were wandering through the mass of stopped vehicles trying to sell things and get food and money. I had gotten into the habit of keeping my window closed during these times to try and avoid awkward situations like what I am about to describe. Unfortunatley Rickshaws are opne air.
My dad and I (and midori who was traveling with me through Dehli) were having a discussion about what India is like and how it compares to the states. During this conversation and boy comes up to my dads side of the richshaw and shoves a tow car in his face, trying to make a sell. We had all seen this plenty of times before, so we ignored it.
Suddenly I feel al tap on my arm. I turn to see a female begger standing in front of me asking for food. Initially I brush it off, but she turns her head to show me her ear... or what used to be her ear. That part of her head had either been cut off, or smashed in leaving a bloody whole where her ear used to be..... I still remember the long, awkward silence among the three of us, and the desperate attempts by the three of us to keep the conversation moving and ignore the heart wrenhing example of poverty that was tapping me on the arm.
so ya.... poverty sucks... not really sure what else to say about it.
Happier things next time.
This is a short one, but pretty powerful. It was certainly tough to experience.
First one: To begin my travels I went to my dad's apartment in Bangalore to drop off most of my things. There was enough time for us to spend as afternoon exploring Bangalore. We grabbed a Rickshaw to go to some destination (I don't remember whree we wer going). As is very common in India, we got caught in traffic. As is also common in India, beggars and vendors were wandering through the mass of stopped vehicles trying to sell things and get food and money. I had gotten into the habit of keeping my window closed during these times to try and avoid awkward situations like what I am about to describe. Unfortunatley Rickshaws are opne air.
My dad and I (and midori who was traveling with me through Dehli) were having a discussion about what India is like and how it compares to the states. During this conversation and boy comes up to my dads side of the richshaw and shoves a tow car in his face, trying to make a sell. We had all seen this plenty of times before, so we ignored it.
Suddenly I feel al tap on my arm. I turn to see a female begger standing in front of me asking for food. Initially I brush it off, but she turns her head to show me her ear... or what used to be her ear. That part of her head had either been cut off, or smashed in leaving a bloody whole where her ear used to be..... I still remember the long, awkward silence among the three of us, and the desperate attempts by the three of us to keep the conversation moving and ignore the heart wrenhing example of poverty that was tapping me on the arm.
so ya.... poverty sucks... not really sure what else to say about it.
Happier things next time.
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