Category Archive India

ByGD

Electricity

For the most part, I was impressed (or maybe overwhelmed is a better word) by how much money there was in Qingdao. Everything seemed shiny and clean and either new or delightfully vintage.

But on one charming little street I saw this nest of wires. It reminded me of the power poles in India. I don’t know if it’s still the case, but when I was there 20 years ago, it was common for entire villages to steal electricity by climbing the power poles and connecting wires unofficially.

I don’t know if that’s what’s happening here or if there’s another, less dangerous explanation. For the most part, I try to avoid the sort of value judgements inherent in phrases like “developed nations” and even “rich societies.” There’s enough wrong with my culture that I’m in no position to throw stones (or snide comments) at the way people do things elsewhere.

But I’m glad that scary-looking nests of wire are not part of my everyday life.

ByGD

The Universal Dog

Few species are as diverse as the dog. From chihuahuas to Irish wolfhounds, dogs have been bred into almost any variation humans can imagine. There are at least 200 official dog breeds in the U.S., and one international organization recognizes 344. But for all their variety, there is a universal dog. Whatever you start with, if you let dogs mix freely, this the dog you’ll get in a few generations. I took this picture in Qingdao, China. But I once owned a mutt that looked like this in the U.S., and I’ve seen his doppelganger in India and Thailand. I have no doubt I could find this dog anywhere that stray dogs roam. He’s the universal dog.

ByGD

The Indian Latin Lover of Palms Beach

Source TOI Image via The Hindu

Source TOI Image via The Hindu

Before there were blogs, I spent a quarter studying sustainable development in southern India. I maintained an email distribution list of friends who wanted updates on my travels. Many nights involved entertainments of the herbal or alcoholic kind. There were roof-top full-moon parties and midnight swims in the ocean (the floating garbage was harder to see in the moonlight). Some evenings were spent on planting plans and composting toilet design. But occasionally, I sat down at a computer and wrote about my adventures. This is one of those stories. Read More

ByGD

Indian Taxi

Source TOI Image via The Hindu

Source TOI Image via The Hindu

Before there were blogs, I spent a quarter studying sustainable development in southern India. I maintained an email distribution list of friends who wanted updates on my travels. Many nights involved entertainments of the herbal or alcoholic kind; there were roof-top full-moon parties and midnight swims in the ocean (the floating garbage was harder to see in the moonlight); some evenings were spent on planting plans and composting toilet design. But occasionally, I sat down at a computer and wrote about my adventures. This is one of those stories. Read More

ByGD

The Pongal’s Over

pongal cowBefore there were blogs, I spent a quarter studying sustainable development in southern India. Many nights involved entertainments of the herbal or alcoholic kind; there were roof-top full-moon parties and midnight swims in the ocean (the garbage floating there was harder to see in the moonlight); some evenings were spent on planting plans and composting toilet design. But occasionally, I sat down at a computer and wrote about my adventures. This is the continuation of one of those stories, in which I celebrated the Tamil holiday, Pongal.

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