"India" like a street dog

These days are 3 months from the day I left India....

Is taking me a lot of time to gather my thoughts about this experience and share it with people across countries...

I said to myself during my 2 month there:

• I will never go back to this country,
• I don’t like this people...
• sometimes I was hating them,
• they are full of stupid pride about being an Indian
• Is terrible to feel totally ALONE in a overpopulated country
• Is horrible to carry years of history (that is not even yours) in your skin colour and not receiving any chance to be different
• ..............

Time is passing...the experience I had there is following me like street dog looking/waiting for something.....

I move on the personal disappointment and try to understand!

I will go back...BUT never alone!

I will go back with details on the blog also ...(alone;)

Meanwhile, home work until the next post : what is the first thing that comes in your head when you think about India???

Street Animation for social problems-tool kit

Based on the experience I had myself in street campaigning and on the projects we developed in A.R.T. Fusion (www.artfusion.ro) using this methodology I was responsible for developing a tool kit for using Street Animation for social change. (click on the "tool kit....)

It was the biggest writing project I took under my responsibility and I also took care of the graphic and editing of the material. We believe is a useful material for NGO workers that are willing to try out these methods for a social cause.

Is written in a youth friendly style and include a description and tips/tricks for o large series of methods, space for personal reflection on your role in society and how can this methods be used and the last part of the kit includes concrete steps of how to develop a project for social change that has a component of street campaigning.

For the moment the material is only in Romanian, but everybody can still have a look on it. If you have any questions, comments or you want to have this material in English please let me know,

Enjoy it!!!

Booklet- Non-Violent Conflict Resolution Training Program in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka among other activities I was also responsible for implementing the evaluation part of a 2 years training program in Non-Violent Conflict Resolution implemented in various and diverse regions of the country for religious leaders or actives members (Muslims, Christians, Hindu, Buddhists). For a short brief at the time of the project implementation Sri Lanka was affected by a civil war.

Based on the evaluation and the interpretation of its results I developed a booklet (click on booklet) that gathers the experience of the projects, the results and impact and future actions. In the booklet are also information about SCI and SCI Sri Lanka.

The material is in English and it was written and graphic edited by me.

For any questions, comments or impressions you can contact me or SCI Sri Lanka (the contact data are in the booklet).

Recap Sri Lanka

Let’s look back.... more time pass from that period…

Let’s look back to Sri Lanka experience….

Let’s see some facts of Sri Lanka or of my time here:

- Sri Lanka is supposed to be part of the developing world- that means a poor country where many people are struggling with extreme poverty

- It is a former British colony (for those who don’t know) and it has a very Big Brother, India that is situated on top of it.

- British manage to make from them the biggest exporter of tea….as I know for sure Ceylon is extremely familiar to you. (for this reason the tea that is on the market in this country represent in fact the trash from the end of the bucket – the good one is in your country)

- The poorest people of the country are the ones that work on the tea plantation (what an irony)

- The TEA culture is a big heritage from this old “parents” and as usual with milk (powder milk) and with sugar by default.

- From decades the country energy and power is sucked by the ongoing civil war between the state army and a terrorist group that supposedly represents a minority group of the country (Tamils Hindus).

- It is a Tsunami affected area, half of the coastal areas was affected; they did recover big time in terms of reconstruction BUT not in terms of psychological damage ; fear of water; many cemeteries on the beach keep on distance maybe tourists and any intention of building some tourist resorts (that eventual will attract money for the community)

- I lived almost 13 weeks in this small island

- I visited 9 different places/cities of the country (including some parts of the country under the army cheek and security )

- I have discussed or interact with almost 200 people

- I have tried almost every curry possible (more then 20 for sure) (including those made from non-ripped fruits that are still are mystery for me)

- Are more then 20 types of bananas or mangos and I still didn’t manage to make the difference between them

- The fruits and vegetables are most of the times taken from the plantation extremely “green” –let’s say non-ripped and sold on the market not after to much time

- For sure the word winter/spring/autumn or even summer doesn’t have any sense in this country (where is all the year something like summer ) – rainy season or dry (this is the way to make the separation) but not so many people seems to know when during the year is more exactly rainy season

Let’s see now some more personal-subjective and maybe les objective but based on some of the sri lankan reality.

What I like in Sri Lanka

- relaxing lifestyle – the mind can take a break in this country, is stimulating you to give up stress, to relax, to be in peace with you, more connection with the nature and less busy social life (as social life doesn’t really exist in the European way – except the capital city-Colombo)

- the traditional stile of clothing of people; - the western influence is really very small even if they consider is very big ; streets for sure are full of saries and sarongs :)

- the more natural way of living – as food and way of cooking; and believes on health issues or even on lives; (ayurveda “science” is generally accepted and used in daily life)

- they still have indigenous people: VEDA people ; they still have their own life style BUT they start to adapt to the "tourist attracting" one;

- Food : fruits (so many, so divers, so tasty, so natural) – papaya, jack fruit, mango, bananas, avocado, passion fruit, pineapple, cluster apple, wood apple, star fruit, king coconut, beli, guava , grapefruit, and so on ; sea food – prawns, crabs, cattle fish, fish (including fresh tuna or shark), lobster, - just delicious

- nature – the jungle is like everywhere, is a great view and very beautiful and still very natural ….(even if I’m sure that from 20 years ago they destroyed 20 percent of the (rainy) forest) …hopefully they will stop; the ocean and the little towns near the see are like in the pictures/movies :)

- wild life – elephants walking on the road, friendly monkeys always waiting some food from you, bugs, snakes, wild boars, insects or other kind of animals that can cross the street anytime in your front; the wild life is still wild but also friendly; not so wild but very beautiful – the elephant orphanage

What I didn’t like

- “distant culture” – people don’t open themselves, don’t speak about them, don’t open personal subject, don’t go deep in any subject, are not interested in who are you (deeply) and where are you from (deeply) and is very hard to reach them and find out what they think; non-confrontation approach and avoidance of any bad situation between people;

- shy culture – afraid to tell what they think, to express their opinion, in some situation even to speak in front of new people and specially white people (maybe some side effects of colonization) most of the times they are laughing as a defence and barrier ; ADD – shy in “confrontation” situations but they are not shy in gossip and speak all the bad thinks behind the people – and after that smiling to them as purely as possible;

- the ongoing stereotyping behaviour towards WHITE people – different prices, different privileges, different (and very high) expectation in matter of money issue specially, and very very rigid opinions about a white person that seams that nothing will change them (rich, happy, mother language –English, too open as life style, etc) – any new information that change some of this strong impression will not be mentally accepted; is extremely hard to be treated as an equal here (no mater what you do)

- the low level of critical and analyzing sense in what matter their reality or the world reality – they dont go deep in the reasons behind a subject or situation (is connected with what I written before) –

- playing the “victim” of the world – complaining about poverty and hard life of sri lankan (maybe a tendency developed in time and with many “money” benefits from the whites) but if you go a bit deeper you will realise that is not all the time with fundament; they are complaining but not really for them, for others and if is any benefit is for them and not for the others;

- spicy food – way to much for my European “tong” and almost in everything (in cooked food or in the snacks or chips)

If I calculate …is much more deeper what I didn’t like but I still work on putting this experience in a more global view, and giving more sense to what is happening at this moment there (as social-cultural aspects).

The mental work is in progress!

Why this blog is not updated?

Because her author is deeply sinked in some hard time of experiencing, exploring, and living emotional and concretely situations that stop her from writing and sharing…

What that means?

Means that if you are still interested about what happened meanwhile ….come back again after some time….this lack of information will be stop latest in the last week of October….(this year)

Questions, inquiries and comments are still welcomed ….

In the name of the author …..

Me…..

How is in Sri Lanka?

I imagine that from the beginning when I announce this idea…this plan…this adventure people that were around me expected the moment I will get to a place that can be consider really different, fare away….unbelievable.

Yes…finally I put my foot in a completely new and different land….Sri Lanka!!!

I jumped directly here after Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and again Turkey and maybe my travel doesn’t look like it has a “normal” path, smoothly from country to the neighbour country and so on…..

Well is not and it will not be necessary like that…..because reasons change and external factor can also influence….

Now I’m in the jungle!!!! Exactly like is written…the internet is coming by lianas and I can call from my mobile if I want.

This world is like in the movies or in the reality show of Amazing Race….crowded busses and trains, people surrounding you because they never saw a white, exotic fruits that you never saw or know, the bananas that has complete other taste, the garbage and the smell, the heat and the sudden rain ….the tropic clime…..hm

Is clear that the nature is very important here…is green everywhere and thats a true fact….a village means to go from house to house in the jungle….the jungle is part of the house here and that’s wonderful. The air you breath you feel it…is fresh and clean…..yeah that’s great…I think my ancestor in Romania had also this chance….

Shortly some aspects of this country…..

- food: rice rice rice (morning, lunch, dinner)….and curry (curry means everything else that you can put on the rice – some sauce, some vegetable with souse, some fruits boiled, some meat, some coconut mixed with some green leafs, etc etc)

- the curry you must don’t confusing with what we call curry – that yellow powder…)

- rice is plain…but the curry…the curry is based on different spices , chilly mainly …so watch your mouth

- we eat with the hand – no use of fork or spoon…based on the fact the food is testier like that (I confess I never image to eat rice with my hand but I manage good)

- the cheese and milk product,not powder milk, are like a luxury products

- the water you boiled and is not problem to drink warm water anymore

- the men have on them some skirt “saron” and they are very proud of that….and very possessive…is a man thing not a women yeah?....

- the women has to be happy with their sari …that you find I know in India also….but is obvious that is not comfortable…to surround your body in 6 meters of material that will make you hot and not that easy to move….hm…but is a tradition and also them, are very proud of it…..(I’m thinking to buy a saron:)

- the fruit shops are everywhere and is overwhelming still to see how many fruits and how diverse …many types of banana, coconut, king coconut, pineapple, avocado, mango, papaya, goa, jack fruit, and other that are so unusual that I didn’t remember the name

(in the picture: jack fruit- that can have up to 20 kilos)

- people shake heads in something like NO for us (but not exactly is a different shake) and that will mean YES….even if sometimes they shake head also as our YES and means also YES…..because they never say NO (this never is extreme but you got the point) …..

- they are very shy …..very shy….women specially but also men…is a shy culture …you can see also from the children, how the are acting….is hard to get to them because the will not let themselves very easily discovered …..i might say that this shyness made them distant….or other way round

- don’t confuse what I said before with lack of friendship….they are very friendly and smiling and warm, calm and relaxed people…I think is the nature effect plus maybe some historical roots

- they are former colony for British …or better say occupation because they didn’t exactly colonized this country – still only the locals are living here

- the cars are going on the left side ….they say like in Europe confusing UK with Europe….

- They never hear about Romania …..(I was lucky if they know that this country exist) ….but strangely enough don’t care to much about how is my culture….aaa…is Europe…so they know…(I find my self trapped in a Europe stereotype…..more West Europe but they don’t make difference- I have money, many, probably living alone, boiling half the vegetables, eating black bread, we have fun and we are happy, we are free to speak about anything.....and what else?.....and again I have money) – yes true…is not like they have a clear or more developed opinion about Europe)

- you can see elephants or monkeys on the streets or close to the road, isn't cool?,

- they majority of people are Buddhist and is cool to see Buddha statues all over and temples…and every full moon day the government give the people free day to go an meditate

- the night life doesn’t exist here…and also the socialising in pubs or bars is limitate …..even in the hottest places of the country a bar doesn’t have outside tables for people to stay in fresh air…(inside is no air-condition)

- tea people…..tea with milk and sugar with no option how much sugar you want…take it or leave it….:)

- it is a problem in the country…a open conflict with a separatist group in the north of country ….not to many details now

I’m writing first time about this country….how can I select? …or how can I put it down
in a easy to understand way?....how can I send a message that covers most of your

desires? also…to avoid your question: how is there?....

well is also like I said until now…your next question should be different!

A village-town theater versus social theater

Village-town theater

- tries to create some plays according to the needs of some local sponsors or stakeholders

- the message is not necessary a big objective…the subject has to be important for somebody

- the amateurs actors are doing it for a future carrier, for some friends, for loosing time, for attention

- people learn some text already done before for them

- any sudden change is disorganizing the group ….a big rigidity for the text and context

- the director is doing it for money ….and some passion for the theatre in general

- people pay to see one of this play

- take place in theater building or cultural centers;

- the results are : some personal development of the team members, some nice evening time for some village/ little town habitants, some publicity to some companies, and maybe if is real successful some manipulation of the public in some political directions;

The Social theater

- the aim is to make a social change according to a specific problem that a community has

- the people involved are volunteers and they do it for the social mission and believe

- approaching social problems make people came together and be close to each other- a natural team building

- the play/scenario is created by the team

- there is no fix text ….the non-actors has to understand and feel fully the character they perform and what is his role and aim on the stage – for that he can “play” with the word and sentences

- the play can be performed in the middle of the people in their community

- people can involve in the play and change the story

- the team is improvising according to the public interventions

- the results: community changing, people come up with solution for they own problems exposed on the play, the volunteers are able to see the impact in the local community; volunteers are developing a extend area of social skills, teamwork and management; in time the people that are involving are changing they set of values to a superior one and become resource person in the communities ;

What you choose?

Wonders about a country….Azerbaijan

I was here for the second time …..first time was in 2003 and it was the first time I was out of the country….

Now…with the desire to explore as much as possible from this culture and to recover…..

First time…it was bad that I was so ignorant in the intercultural aspects….BUT good resource people ware around me …

Second time …it was bad that I was so into this intercultural subject …BUT the wrong and ignorant people ware around me…..

So I lost both times…..

They call themselves the land of fire…because the arheologiest found out here the oldest remains of fire ….so until the will not discover more older tracks here is suppose the was made first fire….

They call themselves TURKS but that is some fantasy or some delusion…..except some of the food, the similar language and the way how they look……I didn’t observed other similarities…..as culture and attitude….They seem to forget that they ware 50 years in Soviet Union…that most of the people speak Russian and all of them understand this language ….The Turks are sunny Muslims they are shya…. Even let’s admitted most of them don’t know the difference…

Where are the mosques when you just walk on the streets…?…when do you hear the prayer call (ezan)…?….they eat pork….is not that a problem to have some sausage with pork sometimes ….

some strange issues that get lost in the ambiguity I still have about this country….

The people I meat have such a low knowledge about their own country , religion or culture….. or maybe I was to deep with my questions….

They have conflict with the Armenians…that stays for a long time in some suspense aspects ……they “cry” but I don’t understand what they do…I mean the general population…….

The Turks like to have more Turks in the world so is not hard to call other like being Turk (they call me also …so please :) …and for Azerbaijan people sounds very cool to be Turk….turkey is the big brother that is very well settled ….

Let’s not forget ….wrong people every time I was there (me or them) …..

Maybe is a interesting combination after a sovietisation and keeping still the Islam teachings…this is a result…..a country in a big transition and with no identity clear defined

PS – of course this is a beautiful country with many stuff to discover….is still a wild country so offers more in this direction…