Today is day 14

We got the morning bus into Paldi (the main NID campus) and were supposed to be meeting one of the photography students who had said that they would take us to one of the markets in the old city.

She did not meet us. This seems to be happening to us a lot. It was not a problem though; Hannah and I went on a walk in search of the photography shop that was apparently near by.  Off we went – roughly following a map, we knew the “shopping centre” it was in, but the location of this centre was slightly less clear.  I use the term shopping centre loosely – my baby sister would be horrified at what their interpretation is.

The walk was an interesting one, as was the walk back to NID, we did not find the shop, but instead we were offered food by a rather hippie looking man, invited into the home of some women, the smallest girl in this group ran up and excitedly shook our hands. I learnt later that it is good luck for a white person to enter their home. We declined their invitation, Hannah was as red as a beetroot and we were both dripping in the midday heat. On the last stretch of road leading back to cold drinks and shade four young schoolboys cycled past, and promptly turned around when they saw us. It never stops amazing me how fascinated everyone seems to be with us!

Over a cold drink or three, we sat and chatted to a fellow photographer, Ishan, he informed us that if we did not go to the gerba that night, he would kill us. We got back on the bus to Gandhinagar for lunch and some shade. We had a short rest in our room, watching a bit of a film before we headed out to shoot. We are shooting across the road from campus, in the construction site.  We walked up the road and started having a look, taking a few photos when a man walks over and says: “The boss wants to see you.”

Hannah and I exchanged worried looks, we had just walked up the road, on to the site, there are no fences or anything…so in we went to the air conditioned office, water was given to us, and then Fanta, and six men sat staring at us.

The boss man walks in and asks us if we are doing a survey, we explain that we are students doing a photography project and we are told to help ourselves, walk around, come back whenever we like. We were even given a guided tour of the site!  We soon learnt that there are two hundred and fifty workers on the site, building fourteen apartment blocks, all based around a central garden. Of the two hundred and fifty workers, ten percent live onsite with their families, which meant that small kids were also running about on the site.

After our lucky meeting with the boss and permission to photograph the site as much as we liked we headed back to campus as the sun was setting. We had little time to shower an change as when we got to the foyer of the building we are staying in, the Durga Puja had started, the foyer was filled with smoke and incense, girls were having their feet painted red, chants echoed through room and drumming vibrated through the whole building.

We stayed and watched everyone praying, while the leader of the ceremony chanted, blessed and burnt more things. English Health and Safety would have had a field day.

We rushed upstairs to change and grab dinner before heading back into the city for the night’s festivities.

At first, Hannah and I danced the steps we knew from the previous nights, I managed to get it, and did a full circle (with a few mistakes, of course).  After a break I was convinced to learn the more complicated dance for the last night, which I am supposed to do with candles in my hands!

It took a while, but I eventually got the steps! Hannah did not join in, so I will have to teach her before tonight.

The night was great, Nitti, one of the girls from our campus, was extremely kind and invited Hannah and I to stay with her and her family for Diwali, in Delhi, we had planned to go to Delhi in our two extra weeks, but will now rearrange timings so that we can see a traditional family festival – with a family.

We got back to campus and collapsed into bed for a rather good night’s sleep!

It is Saturday morning, and I am uploading this in the sun, eating the best samosas ever – Hannah and I have both said that we will never be able to eat a samosa in England ever again.

Hope its not to cold or miserable in England!

Miss you guys!

C xxxxxx

A shopping centre.

This guy offered us food!

For Grandma - Us dancing!

Me attempting to dance!

Today is day 13

Hannah was not well today, so we spent the morning on campus. We left on the 2pm bus to scan our negs that we processed the day before.

We have been spending some time planning the 2 weeks after NID, sorting projects and planning shoots.

We have been struggling with our projects, as it is hard to photograph in a place that we are so obviously the outsiders, and feel that way too. I am finding it hard to make the work I want to at the moment - but, I am sure it will work out.

Here are some of the shots from film :) I took them all on 20 year old film, which we cross processed, giving some odd but cool results!

Today is day 11 and 12

Sorry for the late posting guys!

We have been rather busy!

Yesterday Hannah and I went shooting across the road, they are building new houses and shops. Gandhinagar is the capital of Gujarat, it was known as the green state, and this is where the campus we are staying at is. It is about 30km from the main campus in Ahmedabad. Whilst we were out walking and shooting, Hannah and I figured out a new project - which we start tomorrow morning! :)

Due to the rain, we did not go to the main campus as planned, but rather sorted out projects and chatted to other students. We were informed that if we did not attend the festival that night - they would kill us. So dressed up we all piled into the small bus. Now, this bus seats about 21 people. There were 45 of us in the bus - (this is nothing compared to the return trip - but I will get to that...)

The night was again filled with colour, dancing and music, Hannah and I did try to do the dance - I failed - spectacularly. But I am practicing for the next few nights!

After much dancing, sweating (the nights are hot enough without prancing about like an idiot!) and laughter we dreaded the return journey, there seemed to be more of us, and it was still the small bus, and only the one doing the 50minute trip! Much to my horror about 10 students climbed up to the top of the bus for the journey - including Andy and Ollie who had collected their licenses for alcohol and had been drinking whiskey all night!

We all made in back in one piece and Hannah and I crashed for the night.

Today we went into NID to process some films, the bus was, again, packed to the brim so we decided to jump into an auto rickshaw for the journey.

A few films later and we headed back - again on a rickshaw - Hannah and I rather enjoyed the roundabout trip through the old city (it was a far different route to normal!) I even got smacked on the bum by a beggar.  After dinner we had fireworks and birthday cake for Andy's 24th. Nik and Pete fly home today (well 3am) so we all chilled out on campus for the evening.

Tomorrow we are scanning films, shooting and processing, so will hope to have some film pics up from the trip to the mosques - and maybe some pics from the project!

C xxxx

there appear to be shoes everywhere in India!

We had to laugh at this...the driving is insane!

Today is day 10

The alarm went off at 4.20am today. The bus was due to arrive at 5am to take us into the mountains to see some temples. We were all downstairs, at the gate, waiting, very sleepily, for the bus. 5.15am goes…as does half past…and quarter to. We were not impressed! The bus finally turned up at 6.05am, and we were off.

4 hours later we arrived, a large mountain was the backdrop to a beautiful mosque – Sahar Ki Masjid. It was set just outside a small village, which of course meant more stares from the locals – which was exaggerated more when we were inside the grounds of the mosque. There was a fee to enter the landmark, one of 10 rupees for all the students that we were with, but, for us, 250 rupees. Once inside the gate, there was a metal fence running around the building and its grounds, the locals were all lined up, peering through the fence to get a look at us.

The building was amazing. We wandered around, chatting to the students and taking photos, after a while we walked through the small village to another (larger) mosque – Champaner – Pavagadk. I was amazed at the architecture, the carvings, and the space. 

We jumped back on our bus and drove to a nearby lake; the landscape was amazing.  We sat and chilled out there for a while watching people go by, staring out into the lake.

We had lunch before heading back. There was the long drive back to Ghandhinagar for a chilled out evening. I am writing this before I go get an early night, tomorrow is project work day, research, planning and hopefully some shooting!

Thank you to everyone that has been commenting! I miss you guys! Means a lot to know you are reading :)

C xxxx

The amazing ceiling of one of the mosques.

A dragonfly ripped the head off another, and started to eat it! :S

 

Today is Navratri - day 8 & 9

Navratri – Day 2 of the festival.

Day 2 of this festival is dedicated to Brahmacharini (a derivative of Lord Brama – the creator),  we left on the 8.30pm bus from the PG campus in Ghandhinagar  and travelled the 37km to the Paldi campus where the celebrations are taking place all week long.  The mood on the bus was electric, everyone dressed traditionally, singing and dancing as the bus travelled through the city.  It was hard not be excited, the atmosphere was contagious.

Hannah and I had managed to change our clothes for better fitting outfits, and were dressed in salwar suits, with silver jewellery that jingled with each step. As we pulled up to the campus we could see candles lighting up the path and hear the distant sound of drumming. Walking down to the field we could see the saree’s sparkle in the candlelight, as everyone followed down the path. As we arrived, there were yet more candles, lights strung up, drumming, and singing.

Piles of shoes were dotted across the large field, and a huge circle marked out by flags was clear in the middle of the area. In the centre of this circle was a stage, with various drummers and singers. The music had already started when we arrived and there were families and friends milling about, getting drinks and food, chatting or practicing the traditional dance.

It was amazing. People slowly started to dance, at first a few people starting the circle, but the numbers soon grew to 2 rows of dancers, all dancing around the centre stage; crowds of people watching.

The colours and the atmosphere were so amazing, even the boys attempted the dance. Hannah and I will give it a go another night, it was very complicated – each group of dancers were performing a slightly different version, depending on the area they grew up.

The celebrations carry on throughout the week until the last night on Saturday and we have been told the last 2 nights will be heaving – with thousands of people gathering. I cannot wait!

We got the bus back at 1am, and the celebrations continued, dancing and music on the bus all the way back. Our group had an early start this morning, as we had an appointment at the Calico Museum. It was clear to see we were all exhausted!

The museum has sample of materials, embroidery and dresses from throughout the ages from all areas of India. It was incredibly interesting to see which area of India specialised in which technique and where they were shipped.

We came back to campus to work on our projects and have a nap – cutting out the hottest part of the day!

C xxx

Today is day 7

Chetan doing our mendhi for us.

Traditional Indian Flower

In this hand there are 2 peacocks combined, one is said to be me, the other Oliver :)

The darker the mendhi goes the more your husband will love you...