Memories of Delhi, Part I
Ok! Now that I have just gotten back from India, I feel I should blog about it lest I forget about this episode of my life forever. Then again, nothing in India is truly forgettable. Like the Islamic Haj, it is a pilgrimage that everybody should make at least once in their lifetime, just to experience the other side of life.
So what is memorable about Delhi?
One Big Public Toilet. Need to relief yourself urgently? Why waste time searching for a toilet? Do it anywhere you like! Yes, even on the streets! Never mind that it is a public location where people can see you. Never mind that it is a shopping arcade where people might accidentally step on your "treasure". After all, when a man's gotta go, he's gotta go. Keeping it inside is bad for the bladder (or the intestines, if your business is big). Besides, it's convenient. Why bother searching for a toilet? Real men don't use toilets.
Why, some even make it a social event and an opportunity to make new friends! I've heard stories of people gathering around the beach, all squatting and doing their "business", while enjoying a time of sharing with one another. The sunrise, the sound of the waves rushing to shore, and the gentle seabreeze must surely make the experience all the more enjoyable.
I had the pleasure of witnessing one such incident outside my customer's office. My customer has many buildings sprawled across an industrial area in South Delhi. Although the buildings are usually spaced no more than half a kilometer apart, walking from one building to another can be an arduous and treacherous experience. Arduous, because I had to endure the noxious smell that seemed to permeate the air around the area. As for why it is treacherous, there are two reasons. One of course is because of the way the cars drive on the road. You never know when they might decide to swerve into your path.
As for the second reason -- one day, I saw a kid squatting on the pavement to relieve himself. After he stood up, he appeared to have left something on the ground that was soft and creamy. Looking around, I saw ten to twenty makeshift tents which I suppose house the residents of that area. The tents did not look like it had electricity or water supply. Imagine a hundred people doing what the kid did everyday. Of course that had to be the source of the poisonous gas. Naturally, I made it a point to walk quickly to get to the other offices.
I was told the reason why many Indians do this is because of the lack of public toilets. Actually, now that I think about it, I only remember seeing the guys do it in public. How would the lack of public toilets affect the ladies? Hmmmm.
To be continued
So what is memorable about Delhi?
Why, some even make it a social event and an opportunity to make new friends! I've heard stories of people gathering around the beach, all squatting and doing their "business", while enjoying a time of sharing with one another. The sunrise, the sound of the waves rushing to shore, and the gentle seabreeze must surely make the experience all the more enjoyable.
I had the pleasure of witnessing one such incident outside my customer's office. My customer has many buildings sprawled across an industrial area in South Delhi. Although the buildings are usually spaced no more than half a kilometer apart, walking from one building to another can be an arduous and treacherous experience. Arduous, because I had to endure the noxious smell that seemed to permeate the air around the area. As for why it is treacherous, there are two reasons. One of course is because of the way the cars drive on the road. You never know when they might decide to swerve into your path.
As for the second reason -- one day, I saw a kid squatting on the pavement to relieve himself. After he stood up, he appeared to have left something on the ground that was soft and creamy. Looking around, I saw ten to twenty makeshift tents which I suppose house the residents of that area. The tents did not look like it had electricity or water supply. Imagine a hundred people doing what the kid did everyday. Of course that had to be the source of the poisonous gas. Naturally, I made it a point to walk quickly to get to the other offices.
I was told the reason why many Indians do this is because of the lack of public toilets. Actually, now that I think about it, I only remember seeing the guys do it in public. How would the lack of public toilets affect the ladies? Hmmmm.
To be continued
