“Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow...” Lawrence Clark Powell

Came across this quote while reading some blog, One should definitely write more often. But you become more conscious when you write something publicly. Its always much easier when you write something for yourself, you can also put lot more detail in it. I have always been hesitant to express myself, believe me no one can understand me in few meetings, so basically I am not an open book (I realised it some time back :-)). I don't know how this phenomenon holds for others I am not a good face reader either. But one thing that I am realising if you express yourself well it makes the world much simpler, How ? That's a complex theory, I am not getting into that now. So overall I am trying to be more expressive in putting my observations, perspectives, thoughts etc.

Went to home last week Bangalore-to-Vizianagaram its around 20 hours journey one way. My laptop's company didn't sustain long as I was in 3 tier coach and couldn't do much to refuel it. I am not a book worm, don't find much interest in playing su-doku etc. so needed something to kill time. I like interacting with people, knowing about them, their environment, experiences etc. Listing here conversations with 2 of my acquaintances in the train.

Met a lady who stays in Africa (Cameroon) with her family. Her husband is an accountant and 2 daughters were studying in 1st and 4th standard. She was in India for about 2 months vacation of their kids. I am a good and curious listener so most of the talking part was from her side. 

Me  : Tell something about Africa ? 

She :  In Africa its bit unsafe but still Cameroon is at safer side as compared to other countries in Africa. We hardly go out, there is not much of a social life. We are visiting almost all relatives in India as this is the only time we travel. In Africa they think Indians and Chinese are very rich, so we need to be bit cautious.

Me : Are there many indians ?

She : Not many in Cameroon, there are quite a few Chinese and they are very brave too. Even Chinese ladies take care of the shops.

Me : Which school the kids go ?

She : There is a good Anglo-Indian school bit expensive though. 2nd language is French as Cameroon was part of French colonisation. The worst part of school is the children have to study the history of Africa and it's causing some difficulty.

Me  : Do the kids have some close friends in school ?

She : No we don't encourage that.

Me  : What are all Indian TV channels you get there ?

She : Zee TV and few other Hindi channels.

Overall she was trying to convey Africa is not so bad place to live but it was difficult to understand it that way. I can't forget her innocent remark on safety in India "As gold prices are going so high, and with rising chain snatching incidents, India may also become like Africa", for a moment I was not sure how to respond.

Africa doesn't seem that easy going place (except South Africa). Bit unsafe, no proper infrastructure, for them Indians and Chinese are rich hmmmmmm.

One of my roommate recently been to California, Dubai and Nigeria. No need to describe his experience with Dubai and US. His experience with Nigeria was also not that good. Though he was point of attraction for them :-) One interesting point he mentioned about Nigeria that Public transport is 2 Wheeler, you take the lift and pay the money, The roads are so bad 4 wheelers take lots of time to reach even few Kms. This is just for information, I don't recommend taking 2 Wheeler public transport there :-)

My second acquaintance a student studying in M S Ramaiah college, Bangalore was narrating his experiences. He was from Dhanbad, Jharkhand. The description of jharkhand was scary. 

Me : Did things change in jharkhand after separation from Bihar ?

He : An overbridge is not completed in Dhanbad even after 8 years because twice the chief engineers were murdered. 

Me : What goes on middle class people's mind ?

He : The mafia don't do anything to middle class people. They only ask money from rich people.

Me : Why Bangalore ?

He : There are no proper colleges. Lots of students (that means lots of money) come to cities like Banaglore etc.

Me : But there is BITS Ranchi etc ?

He : Do you know how many seats are there ? And that also open for all states.

Me : How do u see Bangalore ?

He : When I first came I couldn't adjust here away from home, I thought I won't come back once I go to home. When I reached home I felt the difference, the facilities, infrastructure etc. Now it s been 4 years for me in Bangalore.

Me : How do u find Ramaiah College? Its pretty famous in Bangalore. 

He : you can find many Mercedes and BMWs in college campus. You can easily get drugs in bangalore. There are hell lot of ways to get spoilt. Fortunately I am away from these till now. My course work keeps me occupied.

Me : Do you know about IISc or Tata Institute ? Have u visited it anytime ?

He : Ya I have heard about it.

Me : Then do visit sometime, its beside your campus :-)