Darjeeling in February 2011

It's time for your weekly dose of world news.  I bet you might not know about where your Darjeeling tea leaves come from, or perhaps you know the geographical region but not the political setting.  Here's one of my journal entries from my time there a few weeks back, amidst the political turmoil:


I've never been so close to a political rally that has been so heated with emotion.  For goodness' sake, hundreds of people were rallying just down the street from my hotel; I leaned out the window and took a photo even!  Tourists aren't involved and I didn't feel unsafe, but only God knows what is in the cards.  I believe in idealism, solving issues reasonably without violent means to an end, but these Gorkha people have been fighting to obtain their ancestral lands for the past 100 years (non-violently from what I can gather, struggling with the Bengali and Indian governments).  The agitation turned violent when 3 citizens were killed from open fire from the Bengali police force.  From what I've seen and from talking with the local Gorkha people at my hotel, they are very adamant to have their own state with the hopes that their government will be more free from the corruption of the Bengali government, so that more development will be possible for their ethnic group living in the hills.  


I can completely understand this sentiment after seeing the corruption at every level that completely and utterly leads to stagnant development which the people so desperately need and desire.  The common people work so hard and deserve decent sanitation, education, and at least the opportunity for advancement.  This desire has unfortunately turned violent for the time being, altering my views about the world.  How can we bring about positive change when our governing bodies refuse to listen?  


These people have struggled peacefully for the past 100 years- what are their options now to bring about peace and prosperity to the area they live.  I have seen such kindness here and yet still, so much greed.  A rickshaw driver demanded I pay him 10 times more than necessary, but luckily other men noticed his greed and sorted him out, convincing him it was right to take advantage of this white foreigner.  There are both sides of the card in any part of the world, which side would you be on?  What would you do in this situation?  Is idealism or realism the answer?  Gandhi or Bose? 

C'est Parfait!

In 1945, nearly a year after D-Day, the American Army published a guidebook for the GI's to answer questions about the French.  Out of these 112 questions and observations about the french, I have found after careful observation that many of the stereotypes they had about the French were indeed false.  Number 13 states: "We are not welcome in French restaurants."  I am on a mission to prove number 13 as a misunderstanding to you, at least in modern times:


The Parisian world is not as unfriendly as I thought.  We're all going through the same things, searching for joy or anything else, trying to figure out life.  The French seem to at least have a relaxed, easygoing take on life, focusing their time on human interaction, at least with those they are closely acquainted with.  The last time I visited Paris with my family it seemed like the city had put up a cold brick wall, with a 'Do Not Enter' sign on the door.  


But now that I'm not an obvious American tourist, I can fit in better.  People have actually said hi to me, well bonjour actually.  I was strolling Rue Amelot to see the area and a young worker unloading a truck said "allo," a french hello.  Maybe in addition to the frigid weather, the fact that my family and I were only visiting tourist destinations, sure to be filled with annoyed receptionists and workers, contributed to the stand-offish feeling of the city.  We didn't visit many of the local supermarkets or cafés very often.  


Below the gray, cold overcast Parisian clouds live people with a passion for life and love, the same as anyone else.  I've met some very nice, friendly people such as the server in the Café Voltaire where I took a hot cup of chocolat chaud.  I shyly walked up to the counter to pay him for my drink all in coins.  I said (in French of course! Sacre bleu!), "I have a lot of change," and then after he counted he said, "C'est parfait!" with a smile.  


I'm not sure if the shopkeepers can distinguish my American accent, but I'm sure they know I'm not French.  I think the simple fact that I put some good ol' American elbow grease into the effort of speaking their language and learning about their culture, is why I am 'welcomed in French restaurants."


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La Vie en Rose

Slight change of plans to my itinerary- I'm no longer staying in India.  I've moved to France (temporarily) to stay with my sister and will be coming home on the same date :)  I can't wait to see y'all!!  As you can see, my plans didn't pan out, and it's kind of a long story, so I'll save you the juicy details for when I come home.  

January 26 - February 1: Hyderabad visit

February 1 - February 2: Final stop in Kolkata

February 2 - February 15: Darjeeling/Siliguri Tourism Internship

February 17 - February 21: Tourism Conference in Mumbai

February 21 - February 23: Day visit to Pune

February 23 -  February 27: Goa visit

February 27 - March 2: Delhi Tourism Conference and visit

February 16 - March 9: Paris visit with Erin Didi, pretending to be a Frenchie!

March 9: I'll be cuddling up in my nice warm bed, in my own room!