Ooty

Before heading out to Ooty, we have breakfast at our friend's aunt's home.  There are so many different dishes: Daal, different pancake-like dishes made from rice, sweets, spicy foods, coconut chutney..  It is certainly very different to eat spicy foods and main course dishes for breakfast.  Nonetheless, it is delicious and a great start to the day.

Stomachs full we leave to Ooty; a city up in the mountains known for its vast number of tea plantations.  Roads going up the mountain are well paved yet quite narrow and winding with 49 hairpins (U turns) to the top and cars speeding around them - and monkeys along the roadway!  The best way to check for other cars around a bend is honking; the typical signalling gesture here in India.  We are with drivers that have been working for our friend's father for many years.  Aside from being drivers, they also help around the house (cleaning, cooking, etc.).  I hear it is quite inexpensive and common to hire people to do these things, but quite frankly it makes me slightly uncomfortable.  They are from a lower caste, and having them fill these roles seems to only emphasize class differences.  It is so strange to have someone call me m'am all the time especially after every second word.  They're treated well, but it doesn't take too much effort to imagine how they might be treated otherwise.. It is interesting to talk to one of the drivers about his family and life.  Coming from another part of the country to work, he hasn't seen his family for 2 years and missed them dearly.. In any case, while with us they are always treated as equals and with respect.

We take a trip to the top of the mountain and in front of us, we see group of Indians surrounding our friend (who is tall, blonde and white) and posing for pictures with him - it's hilarious! As foreigners, especially being white, we get a lot of attention everywhere we go and people will either subtly take pictures with us in the background or actually ask to take pictures with us.

From the top, the view is breathtaking with the expanse of Ooty in the valley below. Suddenly, a faint chanting can be heard; the call to prayer.  What a beautiful, peaceful moment..

Back to Ooty: it is amazing to see the tea plantations making their way up the sides of the hills.  The people picking leaves look like ants in comparison to the great expanse of tea.  Colourful houses line the countryside adding to its natural beauty.  This place reminds me of Romania, yet with slightly different vegetation.  Unfortunately, the big difference is in the amount of garbage.  The marks of 'civilization' can be seen everywhere serving as a reminder of the major attitude problem toward garbage.  "Do not litter signs" are frequent, yet clearly ignored.

Going into the city, we notice that most residents are wearing tuques and mittens.  It is 20 degrees -- what is 'cold' is clearly relative.  Beggars line the streets and follow us.  It is heartbreaking, but a stern warning from a friend erases any thought of giving them change:  once you give the slightest indication that you're going to give them money, they become aggressive, asking for more, grabbing you, throwing their children at you..

We also go to the botanical gardens, which are quite well maintained due to there being an entry fee. It's nice to see so much diversity in botanical species. As for the animal diversity, it can be found outside in the market :)

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On a serious note, as we walk through these underdeveloped towns, I cant help but think about the lack of basic necessities that is characteristic of these people's lives.  Though they have some shelter, it is minimal and surrounded by garbage. There is clearly no personal security and very few personal belongings of any value.  I shutter to think of where water is supplied from and what nutritious value the food has.  Bright advertisements for 'vodaphone' or other western brands cover large portions of house exteriors.

There is a stark mix of development -- the very poor people the very rich live in close proximity, often literally next to each other.  Even though there are varying degrees of development, I'm quite shaken by the large proportion of those living in dismal conditions..