Today I had no particular plan for the day, so decided to wander the streets alone to absorb more of my surrounds in this crazily exuberant colourful city of India. Negotiating crossing the road is somewhat of a frightful idea when you first arrive here. I’m talking a four lane two way road in which all forms of transport share…cars, auto-Rickshaws, two-wheelers, busses, trucks, pedal Rickshaws, bicycles, vendors with push carts, cows, dogs, goats, monkeys, camels….you name it, it’s common territory and whist traffic should abide and drive to the left side of direction as in Australia, this is not always the case. If they wish to go against the grain they do, so vigilance is a necessity not an option.

 

In my very first week living in Vadodara twelve months ago, I entertained the idea of maybe never ever crossing the road for the entire duration of my stay in India. The first time I did so, my stress levels must have been heightened to absolute peak level…..once across I then stressed about having to do so again to return home and fantasised about catching a rickshaw just to get myself across again. I’ve since practiced and perfected the art of crossing these alleys of bedlam on my own and have found my personal way of coping with such a defiant barrier which once made me a prisoner to the one block I resided on. Your guard should never stray, I have witnessed locals being hit by traffic and it’s not pleasant.

Take A Walk With Me In India

As I walk around the filthy dusty streets and lane ways dodging multiple cow, dog and the odd human faecal matter, the intense smell of urine mixes with pungent incense burning in the surrounding houses and suffocates my nostrils. As awful as I’ve described it, I can’t help but feel the wonder of such a rich and exciting culture already exploding into my life to excite each and every sense I posses. I wander the lane ways passing cows slowly mooching, kicking up the dust with their hooves as they look for their next pile of rubbish to munch on. The street vendors push their rickety wooden carts full of the freshest looking fruit and vegetables, carpet rugs, and household wares crying out every few meters to encourage house dwellers to come outside and buy. Their voices have a musical quality and even though repetitive and continuous for quite a distance away, the sound does not insult my ears…..the harmony of the vocalism has a soothing quality. The mangy serene dogs lay in the dust occasionally rolling their sleepy heads to take a glance at me as I walk past. Most of them are of a mixed up breed but hardly ever have I seen a skinny mangy dog around here…..they are all well fed by the locals. I’ve seen local food vendors throw Chapati and biscuits on the ground for the dogs and may on occasion open a bag of milk and throw packet and all on the dirt for the dogs to lap…. The dogs come running as the offerings are presented.

 

Endless shops as far the eye can see sell saris, dupatta scarves, jewellery and mobile phones….. Every turn I take whether a residential area or not, these shops are present and well patronised. Food vendors cook amazing smelling foods. It’s interesting to stop and watch how they prepare certain delicacies. Large vats of Dahl, Bombay sandwiches, dosas of every variety and hot steamy chai assault the air with their abundant aromas.

Take A Walk With Me In India

The less frequented lane ways are a part of town I love wandering. These areas, whilst I wouldn’t completely describe as slum, verge on what could be considered as for some. Small concrete boxes house families of many. A hessian bed might sit on the side of the street with an elderly woman of skeletal build laying in it having a midday snooze. Goats wander with cheeky attitude nuzzling at locals sitting in the dirt. Women cook on open fires, preparing food for their husbands away at work to send with Dabbawallas for lunch deliveries later in the day. Traditional clothing is worn by these people….saris colourful but plain are common. Smiles with missing teeth as big as the moon grace me as I walk past and wave. I am blessed and humbled to be included into their daily lives even if just by acknowledgement.