Day 15 Friday 24th Nov

Submitted by Alex Finnegan on January 5, 2007 - 10:39.

Dear Blog,

I wake up, aware that today is Blog day, I am more of a wiki man myself (http://ouseburn.pbwiki.com/). The project visit element of our learning journey is now over and today is the first day of the International Conference on Social Entrepreneurship in India, but we have a few hours this morning to explore Mumbai.

I just went for a walk there with Sean Coughan and "jumped" the local train from Chembur Station. As it arrives the crowds on the platform pull back. The packed train is a sea of heads and before the train really slows young men leap off, running before they hit the ground.

As the train stops the carriages empty, Indian men pouring out as human streams on their way to work. There is a sublime moment of realisation and as the tide turns we complete our part in this hectic ballet. I sense my cue and run at full pelt towards the door-less darkness of the already packed carriage.

Then we are packed in this travelling mosh-pit like kindling sticks. I notice the lack of any animosity or grief and applaud the foresight of installing dozens of roof fans to ease our baking brains. Sean is closer to the open door, but not too close. The local paper had an article this morning about the numbers that die every week falling off these local trains. Thankfully here are separate carriages for women and children, I am glad I am stuck here in the middle away from the open doors.

This train trip to Kurla, a local district of old Bombay, is a great distraction for me as yesterday's travel gave me the headspace to contemplate what we have seen on this trip. In my quiet moments I think on my 2 year-old son and then immediately I think on the hungry, sickly construction workers kids, I am having difficulty resolving these worlds. I don't want to believe the vulgar fractions. I have lunch alone in the restaurant, the waiters gather round staring, they think these tears are over the curry, but it's a lovely curry. read more | add new comment | india