The Un-Tourist

Sama

A cyberpal of mine was interviewed for this story in the Hindustan Times about the slum tours of Mumbai.

She also wrote about her experience in her blog if you're interested.

She is currently writing a book called The Weight of Silence: Invisible Children of India.

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My India, 2005-2008
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Nick-H

You are good at digging up all the India-related stuff!

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Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

TheTourist

The tourist approves.. thanks for the post!

Sama

since I blog about yoga and India somehow our blog paths crossed...I have a few blogger cyberpals now, one of whom for which I collected about 50 pairs of kids shoes for her street kids' charity in Mysore. yes, the blogosphere is pretty amazing!

Sadhu

Nice link Yogagal. I'm sorry, but did anyone else find this article a little patronizing, both to the people about whom we are supposed to be surprised to see working, as well the tourists, like the Texan who finally saw poverty is not the result of laziness? What, Rush Limbaugh never 'splained that to you?!? Are people really so disconnected that they don't get much of the Third World is poor, and not just lazy?!? It's not like India ever tried to keep poverty a secret. The mind boggles...

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TheTourist

Unfortunately, despite the internet, etc. most Americans remain so disconnected from the global community that it doesn't amaze me. Particularly as a native Houstonian (Texas) I am not suprised. However, it is unfortunate. It is important that we understand we live within a global community and are all dependant upon one another. The fact that this is far from the norm, across the U.S. and in many other parts of the world should come as no suprise; tragic as it is.

Fortunately, you see the bigger picture. We can only agitate for change accordingly so that the picture becomes clearer to those with a sense of false conciousness. Best of luck in this endeavor.

Sama

actually the woman in my OP has been involved in nonprofit work and social activism almost all her life particularly relating to child advocacy. and she travels to India volunteering with a US charity that works with orphanages.

so I really think she "gets it" about the poor in the "Third World". and there are plenty of people in the US who live in Third World conditions. believe it or not.

Sadhu

I hear ya Yogagal. In my state (NM) 20% of the population lives in poverty, as well as 20% of the children in the state. 80% of those in poverty work full or part time.

I guess what struck me, and maybe I should re-think it, is that within the first 30 minutes of my first trip to India I saw women carrying bricks on their heads, people selling chai in the street, etc. I guess I never saw it as '2 Indias', one for tourists and the 'real' one. Kudos to all those who try to help. (I'll be treating patients in a free clinic outside Delhi this time next week).

And keep the articles/links coming!

Sama

yes, am very familiar with NM, "natively" speaking. people should really travel to the reservations in the US to see how the native americans live, like Pine Ridge, SD, if they want to experience "third world" conditions in the US.

even in my own state of IL, the far southern tip of the state, I think many would be shocked.

glad you like!