Update on the peacocks: it appears that there are at least 20-30 peacocks in the village. The other day, around dusk, we were driving in I saw two occupying the highest spots in the local area: one on top of an electrical pole, and the other gazing out from the top of a quite high antenna. This really is a sight to behold. I got a few pictures of them hanging out on top of the houses, in the trees, etc. I also got one of a male peacock showing his feathers to a buffalo. Not sure what the purpose of this showing was, but I assume it was not for mating purposes.
Crops: there is lots of field work going on now, with both vegetables and grain. Right now people are harvesting tomatoes, eggplant, gawar (an Indian vegetable that is quite tasty), and other vegetables/cattle feed, and are sowing the monsoon crops, which include millet, ground nuts, corn, gawar, etc. There always seems to be some sort of work going on, whether it is stockpiling manure for future usage, or tilling the land, or sowing, or fetching of water/irrigation, or safaee/ cleaning one’s area, or harvesting, or taking care of one’s livestock. There simply seems to be a lot basic maintenance work that has to be done in the rural areas. Does this sound about right, John?
Piles of manure, piles of trash: often times found side-by-side. One a prized commodity in farming communities, one complete rubbish. Will try to get a picture of this posted.
Goats: will eat anything. Watch your clothing, whatever you’re eating, and whatever you value. The goat might just eat it. Beware. But pet the goat and be its friend.
Animal watching: As always, enjoy watching the animals. Funny to see the dogs soaking in whatever puddle/water container they can find, to see the little piglets wandering around eating rubbish, to see the donkeys with their expressive eyes and floppy ears going about their days, the see the camels with the bells on their ankles and red puffy ornaments on their noses, and to see the buffalos take off from their owners and take them on wild goose chase around the village. On this last note, it really is quite interesting to watch a massive 800-1000 pound buffalo get angry and decide that it is not going to take this being dragged around by its chain any more, and to hence take off running. They can run pretty fast for being so huge, but it simply can’t last. Indeed, I have seen this pretty frequently so I am guessing it happens with each buffalo every couple of months and the owners just let the buffalos expend their energy, and when they’re done, they take them back to their post where they can eat and drink some more, like they always do. Can’t change what they are conditioned to do, I guess. At least they give it a go. I also find it amusing when goats stand with their front two hooves on the post that they are attached to. It is an impressive balancing act, and they seem to do it just for entertainment, and perhaps self-empowerment.
Village treatment of animals: is overall good, but the village people are definitely not shy about giving dogs a kick, and throwing rocks at all sorts of straw and misbehaving animals. I suppose this comes from the need to be efficient in handling one’s animals in the rural areas. Note that it is believed in India as well that Dog is Man’s best friend.
Small water buffalos: can be made your friend. They seem to be more trusting of new people. I was able to pet one by feeding it some leaves. Very cute animals, floppy ears and expressive eyes. I am also very much looking forward to the monsoon season, as I have heard that all of the buffalos get off their chains and go swimming, congregating in pools in ecstasy during the middle of the day. I think this will be a sight to behold. I have also heard that they can swim like you wouldn’t believe, which will be interesting to see from such huge animals. They are water buffalos though, so I guess this does make sense. Will try to get pictures of all this
Rural charm and difficult living conditions: So, I have just spent a weekend at Gopal Singh’s house, which was quite fun. I showed the kids the computer, my pulse pen, and my camera. They liked playing the games on the computer, and everyone likes the music on the computer. They also got an absolute KICK out of hearing their voices being played back by the pulse pen. I haven’t seen them laugh so much as when they replayed their voices on the pen. Simple things, I guess. Thanks for that one, John.
I really do like the rural life; it is quite charming. The ability to watch the animals as they go about their business, or to go by a house and have a farmer throw you a fresh tomato or mango without having to worry about paying for it, or the rich interaction between all the members of the village (it is literally impossible to go straight to your destination; at least ten minute will end up being spent in conversation with various people that you meet along the way), or the openness of all the people to share their water, their cots, or anything they have with the visitor is really quite nice. I definitely always feel at home and cared for, which is a great thing. However, the rural life is quite difficult in India. Whether it is small things like waking up with dust in your teeth from sleeping outside in a desert area that can get quite windy, or bigger things like not being able to regulate the temperature resulting in difficulties in doing work in the heat and staying healthy in the cold, it seems like something is always getting to you in the village. On the latter note, during my first trip I was amazed by the fact that, even though 50-70 degrees does not seem that cold, if you are in it all day and cannot escape to the warm indoors, it really does wear you down, robbing you of your ability to overcome your illnesses. Indeed, I have observed that colds and illnesses seem to last longer in India, for this reason and perhaps because effective medicines are not always available. Additionally, things such as fruit, milk and other protein-rich foods, and running water are not available, further adding to the difficulties. The former leads to malnutrition, and the latter to all sorts of difficulties, given the necessity for water in all aspects of life. Fetching wood for cooking is also a big aspect of rural life, with challenges coming as trees become less plentiful. The bottom line is that life in rural areas in the developing world is difficult. Increasing productivity, in the sense that we think in America, is often not simple, due to the complicating factors of health, water, fuel, etc. Indeed, I think anyone who wants to criticize the productivity of people in the developing world should come here and try to be productive. It’s easier said than done.
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