I begin this day with a little apprehension. Everything was explained to me yesterday evening to Lawrence networks scam seems to be confirmed, yet Rampaji invited me to dinner at his "camp" and I feel dizzy.
But first, I start my day after a chai with Rampaji, returning to take photos in the same school as yesterday.
Can I risk a clinic for a small wound to the foot (caused by my flip flops to 2 euros). Very good experience!
After lunch, I contacted the head of the foundation "Fior di Loto" (lotus flower). Remember that name already, without hesitation, visitier their website:
The head of the organization, Deepu, I replied and fixed an appointment immediately at the Sunset Café, fantastic hotel and restaurant along the lake. It is aptly named since it is the best place to enjoy the sunset.
I go there immediately and sit on the edge of terrace, but inside, facing the lake, the ghats, mountains. I ordered a "black cofee" and wait. The wait dragged on, I began making pictures. I go to extraordinary scenes, with a telephoto lens, I'm the real job of paparazzi ... a treat.
After about 1:30, not having seen Deepu I tell myself that it was been withheld at the last minute, I return to my hotel. But by the way, I phone Deepu. It was at sunset, but ... the terrace outside, at one end ... In a voice surprisingly soft, like he had nothing else to do, he told me someone on a motorcycle at the guesthouse and he expects me to Sunset. Indeed, a few minutes later, the biker in question arrives. Crossing the entire city (for the single "main street" shops) until sunset. I meet Deepu. It is Brahmin but he is responsible, in India, the Foundation Fior di Loto.
I explain what I saw with that Ramapji wonder more and more money, tents, funding for children's education but I explained to him my perplexities. And my fears are confirmed then well, there are total scam. Nevertheless, I set appointments to Rampaji 17h; he invited me to dinner in his "camp" (Deepu tells me they have, in fact, houses are but the tourists like me in this pseudo-camp). I am very sensitive to the situation of children Rampaji; Deepu offers me to meet him in the Foundation office in downtown. I'll get Rampaji where we set an appointment. I hope Rampaji agree to enroll their children in the school run by Fior di Loto and not in private school that I was proposing. Because I learn that in fact, fraud is: a Gypsy takes a tourist previously handled well, the emotional (as well as Lawrence had told me the day before) at this school and being asked to finance the Tuition for one or more children. If the visitor accepts, the principal and the gypsy share, in fact, the amount. And no child is enrolled.
I felt the problem coming. Because during my meeting yesterday with the director, I was surprised she asked me to pay cash, I was also surprised it is still possible to re-enroll children in February, whereas in India - she had me explain - the summer holidays begin in May. And other details, the last 48 hours, left me perplexed.
Rampaji So I find to 17h and is accompanied by a son, 10 years ago, which I love. He agrees to go with me into the office Deepu. Deepu and explained to him in Hindi and I feel discomfort, huge, my fellow Gypsy. All fears are confirmed, orally, by Rampaji: it actually has a house he does not need tents, and finally, and despite my requests, he refused to enroll her children in the Foundation. His choice is to keep his small business. Rampaji out of the office. I feel very sad for his decision and I even questioned his son about what he wanted him. But nothing to do.
Suddenly, I feel liberated, in spite of my sadness, an enormous weight. Yes, I was a victim, since 3 or 4 days, a subtle and powerful emotional manipulation. Though I tried to resist, it was very difficult. But as I said yesterday evening Lawrence, there is always, in "Crook", a detail that betrays and kills. In this case, I noticed two days ago that Rampaji wore brand new shoes ...
And yesterday, as I pressed the questions to understand the functioning of his life in the camp, I sensed her discomfort to answer.
I will refrain from certain moral judgments, too spontaneous in the West. Kam also tell me herself how rich cultural traditions of "Gypsy" Indian (though the term "gypsy" is totally anachronistic, it is a term imported from the West). Moreover, the origin of the Roma is ... Indian!
Deepu then puts me in touch with Kam, Pushkar is an Indian but lives six months of the year in France where she is responsible to inform the association. We go for dinner.
After the meeting in the office Deepu, I spent ... a small shoot-portraits. Then I go, relieved, on the ghats. And there, for the first time since I am in Pushkar, I realize that I did not even pause to contemplate this magical place ... and I take up. Rest; concert overlooking the lake and Drums Sunset ... photos ... I enjoy fully the poetic places, finally.
Even better: Deepu, Brhamine authentic - authentically witty and generous - my intention to make me do a Puja by one of his Brahmin friends ... none other than the motorcyclist he had sent me back to the Sunset ... Deepu explains that the Brahmins, in fact, have to pay only what the pilgrims give them. But there, too much abuse. He assures me that with his colleague, I give absolutely what I want. I breathe .... and appointment is made for 10am tomorrow Authentic Puja, finally ...
Oh, and I forgot: I spend a part of the day ... in the school of Fior di Loto to do it ... pictures!
the evening, as expected, I found Kam; it also sends a motorcyclist to take me to my hotel! She lives in the outskirts of town. I discovered ... a wonderful small jewelry shop (photos ...), Kam and I are aware. She explains the history of the Foundation and a thousand other things impossible to transcribe. But I learn from other than the scam that I was the victim develops. The gypsies, it respects deeply, and have settled with the economic boom, is trying by all means take them épingue the game, especially since, as with bhop particular, their ancient and rich traditions do they earn more, she tells me about the atrocious condition of women, babies, girls, girls, married women (we still kill baby girls in the villages; raped a girl is murdered by his own family, etc..). Hence the extraordinary courage of the founding Fior di Loto, as summarized Deepu me: "I want these girls become doctors, lawyers, doctors, ...". A revolution.
So I dine with Kam and I have the chance to see the habitat of a person I think the middle class. Space for the apprentice designer that I am is very informative ...
Kam and I were scheduled to meet again soon in Avigon where she resides.
I feel really liberated tonight. And the program that I had done for the next 2 days is ... once again changed ... forward to the next issue ...
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