Run, Abishek, Run!
January 11th, 2008
I had a feeling running in the dusty, chaotic streets of Porur wouldn’t be an option. Still, after a few days I had the itch to run and ran it past Stephen. He said I could do it if I kept to the streets hugging the guesthouse, and as long as I wore long pants. But he said to expect strange looks. I went yesterday morning for about 15 minutes, making sure to go really early — about 6:30 — with no trouble. Some of the neighborhood kids were outside playing badminton before school, and we chatted before I took off. They said my jogging was indeed a highly unusual sight.
My painting buddy Rick is a runner, too, and agreed to join me in a run this morning. We were ready to go at 6:30 (the street just waking and still calm), and outside the same children were playing badminton. We joined them for a few minutes before setting off on the run, when one, a 15-year-old boy named Abishek, said he’d like to join us.
“Ok. But we’re going to run for about 15 minutes,” I said.
“No problem,” he said.
“But what about school?” I asked.
He pointed to his imaginary wrist watch and said, “I go late.”
He asked to give him a minute. He ran home and returned with a plastic flower rose bud for me! I tucked it in my shirt, and off we went. Through dusty streets, past lazy cows, in between motorbikes zipping crazily as they do. We ran by women dusting and washing the pavement outside their doors, and decorating it with the chalky white substance they do in the morning to invite good luck and wealth into their homes.
A few minutes in, he said to me, “Never run on this street alone.”
“Why?” asked of this street that looks like every other.
He said it wouldn’t be safe. “Bring one man. Better two,” he said.
And then, a guy on a bicycle past us, looking at this strange sight of a trio of runners.
“See?” the boy said. But we get quizzical looks all the time, so this didn’t actually seem out of the ordinary.
Still, Abishek snapped his fingers at the guy and shouted something in Tamil until he moved on.
“What did you say?” I asked.
“I say, ‘Would you look at sister and mother like that?’”
We rounded the corner to our guesthouse and he left us for school, while Rick and I went on for a little longer.
Me and my new running buddy, Abikabesh.
Really, what’s a morning without a good long run?
Hi JK! Terrific to read about all these things you are learning and seeing.
posted by Bus (01/11/08 12:23 pm)May I ask what you are learning and seeing about yourself?
Hi Joann — I finally had some free time to check out your blog ~ wow! ~ what a great trip, what a great thing you’re doing, I’ve just loved reading/seeing and hearing it ALL (including the preamble on your garage sales ~ you should have asked me for stuff! ~ and your adorable birthday video!) I can’t wait to read and hear more about your experiences ~ happy travels!
Nancy S.
posted by Nancy (01/11/08 12:50 pm)JoannJoannJoann. Do you think India survived the eons and developed such a culture by running around when there was absolutely no need to run? If a cobra puffs up, OK run. Otherwise, naps is what makes a great nation and people. Mad dogs and Englishmen, remmeber?
I’m tired imagining it all. nap time
denis
posted by Denis (01/11/08 3:50 pm)I’ve never seen you look so glowing and lovely after a sweaty run! Guess the miracle greens are working?
posted by donna (01/11/08 4:31 pm)