I have arrived in India - in fact I've been here about five days now and already it feels like a lifetime.
We arrived in Chennai on Tuesday night, and we were immediately confronted with its chaotic roads. Constant beeping and carrying your entire family on one small motorbike is a common sight. The following morning we were chauffeured to the Restless Development office on an auto-(rickshaw), which was nothing short of terrifying but en route I slowly learnt that as suicidal as some motorists appear, if you are confident enough even a small auto -(rickshaw) can alone stop full flowing 15motorbikes wide traffic. Travelling by bus is also quite the experience as the Chennai folk openly board and exit the rammed buses whilst in motion. Doors and windows are a rarity on any vehicle.
Chennai itself is much different to any other city that I have visited. On first arriving I was quiet daunted by the prospect of three months living here, (as its difficult to avoid the rubbish that covers the city, and general standard of living, dogs roam the streets starving, and we accidently walked into the slums) but its amazing how quickly we've all adapted and are fitting into the Indian way of life, despite the soaring heat. Culturally this place is so different but it is nothing short of amazing! There are some aspects of Indian life however that I will struggle to get used to..... there is so much waiting. We arrived fresh faced and eager at the restless office only to be told that we needed to register at the police station.......about four hours later we finally left! The time it takes after a decision has been made to go somewhere and actually leaving can be quiet frustrating.
After training yesterday one of the national volunteers offered to take us to the beach, (apparently its the longest beach in the world - they keep telling us this but i'm dubious to believe them) it was nothing like what I was expecting. Once on the sand you had to walk through a mass market in order to get to the sea, and unfortunately the beach is treated much like the city in that rubbish is left where is falls. It was beautiful to watch the sun set while we paddled our feet in the Bay of Bengal.
Apart from that training is in full swing now, and i'm thoroughly enjoying working with the national volunteers. The Restless Development India staff have been brilliant in helping us settle in and with each day I eagerly anticipate my placement more and more.
We arrived in Chennai on Tuesday night, and we were immediately confronted with its chaotic roads. Constant beeping and carrying your entire family on one small motorbike is a common sight. The following morning we were chauffeured to the Restless Development office on an auto-(rickshaw), which was nothing short of terrifying but en route I slowly learnt that as suicidal as some motorists appear, if you are confident enough even a small auto -(rickshaw) can alone stop full flowing 15motorbikes wide traffic. Travelling by bus is also quite the experience as the Chennai folk openly board and exit the rammed buses whilst in motion. Doors and windows are a rarity on any vehicle.
After training yesterday one of the national volunteers offered to take us to the beach, (apparently its the longest beach in the world - they keep telling us this but i'm dubious to believe them) it was nothing like what I was expecting. Once on the sand you had to walk through a mass market in order to get to the sea, and unfortunately the beach is treated much like the city in that rubbish is left where is falls. It was beautiful to watch the sun set while we paddled our feet in the Bay of Bengal.
Apart from that training is in full swing now, and i'm thoroughly enjoying working with the national volunteers. The Restless Development India staff have been brilliant in helping us settle in and with each day I eagerly anticipate my placement more and more.
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