No News Is Good News

Yes folks, I’ve been enjoying myself. I know it’s dreadfully selfish of me not to spend my time and money explaining to you jealous folks about some of the crazy shit that has and hasn’t been going on.

But, you know.

Well, for about three days I’ve been wandering around Pushkar very slowly. It’s a small place, there’s no rush. Yesterday I bought a whole bunch of percussion: a hand tambourine, two pairs of finger bells and a small drum. Now I have a jam session at the drop of a hat. And many times have I thrown down the gaunt-hat.

Each evening for sunset everyone descends upon the Sunset Café to watch the sun, er, set. And there’s usually a few drummers and the mandatory set of the local folk musicians who expect some baksheesh (donation). Much fun was spent jamming with these dudes. The East/West shoot out is ever enthralling.

Yesterday I ended up posing for a photo for a journalist (and a bunch of tourists, naturally) with a variety of different musicians. It was all rather jolly.

There is an atmosphere of a music festival here. But a really quiet one. Actually a bit like the Green Man. You spend your days walking around very slowly, just gradually filling up your belly to the point where you should probably go lie down until tomorrow.

Fruit juice, chai, salty snacks, cakes. Mmm.

But most of all I have music! For the last two days I have not been merely having the relaxing chill that everyone else is having. I have been working hard as an entertainer! I must have played about twelve hours of guitar and drums.

Ooh, one rather bizarre thing. Of all the people to randomly see in Pushkar, India, I saw Katie Jones (Ginger Katie) from Newcastle Uni. She is on a two week holiday with what looked like her folks. I think she clocked me for the drop-out ‘finding myself’ that I am, and she was noticeable with the ‘I’m on a two week holiday do not bother me’ vibe.

Favourite new phrases learned in Pushkar:

To anyone trying to vaguely rush you or getting the least bit stressed out at anything: “shanti shanti”

It's nice and irritating. I like it.

Adjective for anything that was at all exciting, interesting, intense, good: “full power.”

Imagine French, Swiss and German people saying this phrase a lot. It is deeply entertaining. I think Full Power can be the tribute act to Belly Rub’s creation Stick Em Up! Imagine me saying these words doing a hybrid accent of Sean Connery's James Bond and Hitler. It's continental.

I just reread my previous post. Yeah, ignore all that. I was being a dick. Most people here are dead friendly and are particularly inviting if you can provide free music for them. So far no one has offered me baksheesh. Perhaps I should ask. I could earn a living here if my previous idea of proofreader falls through.

I think the other day I was just a bit lacking in confidence and whingeing. In fact ignore all whingeing on here. There is no need for it.

Right, that’ll do.