Firecrackers and Wayward Donkeys

After school one night we met some kids from school at the shops who were buying crackers for Diwali. So we got very excited and I found out where they were being sold from and bought some sparklers, some American matches(like sparklers) and a packet of big crackers all joined in a row by a wick. A very short wick. A very, very short wick. That night we had our own pre-Diwali celebration. I lit the match, lit the wick and…….you got it…the crackers went off immediately. I had managed to go about half a step before they let go!! So that was fun. After that we had the very tame sparklers.

However, the next day at school, Jose, the Principal, told us that the firecrackers are made in factories using child labour and that conditions are very poor, unsafe and unhealthy for the kids. They begin work at 4:00am and their hands are really badly affected by the gunpowder. They have health issues, mainly with breathing and asthma type issues. So here at Gujarat they educate the kids not to have crackers but instead to enjoy the electric lights and ghee lamps.

Last night we caught the Adani company bus into town for some shopping. While there two donkeys had a fight in the middle of the street and one donkey, which was pulling a fully loaded cart, ended up on the median strip with a very frustrated owner trying to turn it around.

We did some successful shopping for a girl who is turning 17 tomorrow!!!

Tomorrow night we catch the 11:40pm train to Ahmedabad, 3rd class, non AC, three tiered sleeper. Wish us luck! Arrives at 5:00am.

Our favourite. Great use for a motorbike!
Another form of transport

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wayward donkey.
Sparklers for Diwali

4 thoughts on “Firecrackers and Wayward Donkeys

  1. Hi there, LOVE your write ups and photos. Really brings your experiences into our lives! Seems you’re having a fantastic time with very colourful and heartwarming experiences. No doubt getting some good ideas for future stories too. Most of all, Happy Birthday Mia!! I remember our little celebration of your birthday in Japan and now you’re in another really exotic place. This one might be hard to beat! Hope you keep having a great time and next time you have one of those delicious lassis, think of me…mmmmmm…right up my alley!xx Anna

  2. Hi Anna,
    Great to hear from you. Tonight we caught the free Adani bus into town and did some shopping and went out to tea for Mia’s birthday. Well, that was something else. The noodles were full of grit. I’m hoping dirt from the freshly dug coriander!! The cheesy spaghetti was sweet. Work that one out. And finally the Singapore rice was gritty. Again hopefully from the freshly dug herbs!! We really wanted Mia to be able to have some pizza and she has had so much Indian food that she needed a break but it was not to be. The pizzas weren’t on the menu until after 7:00pm and we were just before 7:00pm! Anyway tomorrow is the last day of school before the Diwali holidays so we will go across for an assembly and see all the kids dressed up. Mia has a huge stack of lollies and sweets to give out to the kids and the teachers as this is the custom in India. We bought some slices of Birthday cake from a Jain Bakery tonight to have tomorrow, so it should be a good celebration before the train trip overnight to Ahmedabad. Cheers, Love jane and Ian and 17 year old Mia.

  3. happy birthday Mia. Librans sure do enjoy celebrating their special day. Hope this one continues for weeks. Enjoy India the amazing! cheers Tis

  4. Hi Tis, thanks for birthday wishes for Mia. Ajay could not do the driving for our trip through Rajasthan so he sent his good friend Dil, who is an absolutely gorgeous guy with a great sense of humour and a brilliant driver. We are having a ball! Ian had his first masala dosa in Ahmedabad and had another one today!!

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