The end is nigh - today the Indian general election results are announced! It has been a rather tumultuous couple of weeks. "Never before has an Indian election left so many people so confused about the final verdict," wrote political commentator Rajdeep Sardesai in an article headlined "Your guess is as good as mine". An uncertainty has taken hold and the nation seems uneasy. The skies have ruptured with thunder and lightening, much like an epic drum roll. I still have trouble grasping the dynamics of Indian politics. With so many political parties at hand, it's proven confusing. I understand however, that the race could ultimately lead to many different parties winning seats thus creating a coalition that lacks cohesion and unity. Let us hope and pray that whatever the outcome, India continues to work towards eradicating poverty.
Meanwhile, after numerous drafts our schedules are set and we look forward to beginning the forthcoming week. Tomorrow the greatly anticipated 'Wizard of Oz' play directed by Liam (from Cork) will premier at the boy's home. I am currently adding the final touches to the Lion headdress - as I haven't taken any measurements, I'm praying it fits!!
Nyasha (a fellow volunteer) and I had a rather impromtu evening last night. Reports of a gay Bengali hang out had led us to Olly's Bar on Park Street. As homosexuality seems to be buried under a mass of cultural taboos, we were intrigued to experience a part of the city's underground scene. The tatty tables and dated carpet did not emanate the city sleeker venue I'd envisaged. In fact the bar conveyed more of an old man's digs, full of overweight middle-aged Indians hunched over vodka and scotch. Upon arrival we were met with a mass of hostile stares and I think we instantly regretted our decision. Thankfully, a young Indian gentleman named Sam, who was sat with his girlfriend from London took pity on [us] two awkward white girls. It turned out Sam- a computer technician from Bangalore - and his girlfriend - a lingerie designer from London - were spending the night in Kolkata as part of their months travel across India. They had come to Olly's Bar with the predetermined belief that it would be open till the early hours (a novelty amongst pubs in Kolkata as they generally close at 11pm). However, as a result of the following day's election all late night bars were shutting early. In an attempt to salvage the night, Sam had organised to meet old friends he knew from Kolkata. Subsequently one of his friends had strong ties to Hope - he was an art dealer and had donated several paintings of the artist Wasim Kapoor, a renowned Indian contemporary painter, to auction at Hope's annual ball on the 31st of March. We eagerly accepted their invite back to Sam's art dealer friend's apartment (who's name I can't remember for the life of me). The flat, a 19th century colonial build with tall ceilings and spacious rooms, evoked a Rudyard Kippling type setting. Stacks of art canvasses were strewn throughout the apartment, interspersed with lavish Deccan antiques. A balcony of banana and guava shrubs enticed you to step outside and take in the Kolkata's night scape - stunning!! This only proves the most memorable nights are almost always unplanned.
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