Okay so yesterday we trained trainers - always fun to meet people that do what you do and work with them. They all had great ideas and I am sure will do a great job with our material. We were so utterly exhausted at the end of the day that we ate in the hotel and crashed.
Today was one of those memorable days. We went into Delhi proper. We went to a market and bartered for silk, jewellery, toys etc, then went for lunch at the Embassy restaurant in the middle of Delhi. It was the hottest we have been so far. We enjoyed buying, and also chatting with the stallholders who gave different reasons for offering us a discount - 'first customer today', 'for luck', 'because I like you' etc.
We visited the tomb of the unknown soldier and were beset with children begging. I found it very moving and will never forget those moments. Again, in the town we were followed by people begging. My heart goes out to these poor people. I felt terribly guilty and privileged. It is no-one's fault, I suppose. But it feels like mine.
Today near the Red Fort, very old Delhi, were some poor guys literally sleeping in the road not caring if they get hit. As we went back to our hotel I was deeply moved and have resolved to do something positive for this amazing country of contrasts.
This evening we saw a gig. Raghu Dixit - pictured shaking my hand, played for 2 hours - and he was amazing. What a difference... a modern bar, people dancing on tables, great music and beer.
Raghu Dixit is an amazing singer who sings in 3 or 4 languages including English. I can highly recommend this guy - he should be massive. We chatted briefly afterwards - I had seen him on 'Later with Jools Holland' last year and he had sung with Mavis Staples - she is singing with him in Chicago next month.
Sitting here at 1.40am I know the day will stay with me, especially the young girl at the memorial whose face haunts me. This land is changing fast, and yet so much remains unchanged. I hope that our work here will make a difference.
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