Holidays and absences [3]

That's great Halfy glad its going well. I remember photos of Mumbai during lockdown and seeing the difference in air pollution, actual blue skies instead of smog haze. I would love to rummage in the markets, I would fill a suitcase with colourful fabric and sparkly shoes.

Sounds like you are keeping busy and having a good time!

Feel bad for the couple of students that are already sick. I hope they battled through and are coping or even enjoying things now.

Can't seem to convince my other half on India so not sure if/when I'll be out there again.

The sickest student recovered and changed her tune, decided to stay. The less sick student was dealing with food allergies which only continued to get worse, so tearfully decided she had to leave.

I've only found practical markets so far; it seems most of the neat clothes we see are bespoke and tailored, not just sitting around to be picked up. Plenty of cloth shops, but the clothes racks are western only. I hope to find a rummage worthy market soon.

Nothing on any topic from you folks in days?  Really?  Here's a dog.



We were sitting in a tuk-tuk waiting for the driver to return when we saw this dog climb up on the seat of a motorcycle to lay down.  Seems like he does this all the time.  Soft sea and warmed by the sun.

I guess there just isn't much to talk about. January blues and all that comes with it I suppose.

yep, January is pants.

Had an interesting night on Friday, just watching telly minding my own beeswax when there issued an unholy row from next door. Don't know if you remember there is a Cuban 'woman' living next door. I say 'woman' because she is more like a mountain troll on the rampage. Next thing there is smashed furniture and glass being thrown out of the house and words to her kids and husband I don't want to repeat. Two cop cars and 3, yes 3, ambulances arrive. The girl was injured and the troll was injured with shards of glass. by all accounts she wanted to set light to the gas cannister and blow us all to kingdom come. The kids have already been taken away to a community because of her drunken violence and they were only home because it was the girls birthday. Obviously all the neighbours were out looking as was I. I was waiting for her to be arrested and taken off to a cell, but no such luck. The 4 policemen were useless and just stood around getting insulted and manhandled by a furious troll.  She then threatened another woman and went back inside her cave which was covered in blood and smashed to pieces. Her husband wont divorce her and get rid mores the pity. Today its all quiet on the western front.  there is nothing we can do apart from buy a ticket for Cuba and get her on the flight. This is a quiet village and it deserves better than this poisonous creature disturbing the peace and making everyone anxious for the next rubbish.

That's a shame. Usually it's the husband who's a drunken troll; the police probably can't wrap their heads around it.

Oh, and as long as I'm on here, here's a picture I'd call "Only in India".



The young woman is one of our student interns. Bit of a flower child, will have problems clawing her free of India. A sweet thing but getting work out of her is like pulling teeth.

She will probably end up in Goa on the hippy trail.

I should probably mention that I'm back from India. Quite an experience. Will have to pull pictures off my phone. But yes, I did this:



Every bit as ethereal as you'd hope. Literally a crowd of people who'd come through the gate and then just stand there slackjawed.

I'll download more later with narrative.

thats wonderful Halfy, looking forward to seeing the rest.

{{ Did you get the Dheli-Belly! }}

Oh, constantly. And we had to do hours long walks in the field with sensors. My way of dealing with it was simple: no breakfast, and make sure we leave after I've emptied myself out. No more than a gulp of water to fix a dry mouth during the trek. Straightforward solution that worked like a charm.

I didn't get a chance to visit the Taj as both my trips have been nowhere near Agra. Will get there one day.

Happy to be home or were you up for a bit longer?

A month is plenty long enough. I now have the solid food going in one end coming out still solid on the other, which is a nice change of pace.

The main thing I regret is that I was so busy the first few weeks that I couldn't even find time to buy one of the luscious cakes in the little bakeries in the neighborhood. The neighborhood where I reside in NYC is latin-american, who haven't the slightest clue how to make a decadent bakery item save for tres leches. They know how to make them look decadent, but skimp on the fat and sugar so you end up disappointed. The Indians have no such scruples, and chocolate cake will properly smack you with indulgence.

Have a taste of a night in Mumbai.

Have you lost weight with the Delhi Belly? i think that is the only thing putting me off going one day. I am such a hypochondriac

Actually I found once I discovered fasting less than a year ago is that much of the fat look people have is just full intestines. Don't eat for a day, let it pass through, and you'll be amazed at the transformation. Delhi Belly just does it a bit faster - but you don't get the full effect because it's often accompanied with inflammation and swelling. Take a day off food when you're healthy and the effect does loads for your self esteem.

How is everyone?

...I hadn't realised it had been more than 6 months since I last posted (I've have made a habit of lurking now and again just been too busy to really drop by)

If anyone was wondering how i've been/what I've been up to...well there's no real exciting excuse, I've just picked up more shifts at work (been on night shift for 2 1/2 years now but still find it rather drainig some weeks), been busy in real life and had a few depressive episodes in recent months (nothing serious, it happens occasionally) so haven't really had the time/energy to stop by...I kept meaning to drop in when I could but hadn't realised it had been quite so long! Hopefully I'll be able to post again more actively now.

Still think rather fondly of you guys/girls/crabbit scotshobbits hope everyone is well, and I assume eagerly awaiting Rings of Power series 2

I was about to smack you before I got halfway through that last line, but the trail of emoticons saved you.

{{ Malick! Good to see you back in your hole again Its been too long, so must be your round by now }}

Pettytyrant101 wrote:{{ Malick! Good to see you back in your hole again Its been too long, so must be your round by now }}

Hey Petty good to drop in again! Hmm...with the cost of living crisis we all should be more considerate...so would a round of tap waters do?

(I have actually cut back on drinking quite a bit, usually only have the occasional pint or two maybe a couple of times a month, I was never a huge drinking anyway but can't say I miss the hangovers, I've also lost quite a bit of weight in the last year so trying to watch what I eat/drink a bit more)

so would a round of tap waters do?- Malick

{{What as a mixer? }}