sigh

Yesterday, walking with Stav, my girl, just a few metres from her guesthouse, a guy grabbed her ass as he passed. Without flinching, she shouted "fuck you" and started walloping the guy. I didn't see him do it but I suppose it was fairly obvious by her reaction so I took hold of him and began to give him a darn good old fashioned stern telling off! One he jolly well wouldn't forget in a hurry!

About three words into the improvised speech about the vulnerability of women travelling alone in India and the inappropriateness of grabbing someone's ass (I think I said something like "you don't do this or you get a fucking slap, ok?") a guy from her guesthouse came sprinting up to the offender and without taking breath proceeded to punch him hard in the face. Then he kicked him to the ground, by which point about five other guys started joining in. They put in elbows, knees, fists and boots. It was all happening rather quickly. He was whimpering for mercy and by this point Stav and myself figured he'd probably had enough and I tried to intervene to prevent murder. Ahh, it was pointless, they dragged him away down the street and out of sight, continuing to batter him while he howled like the dog he is.

It was quite intense. I was shocked! I haven't really witnessed violence in India, apart from the odd viscious copper.

It was funny, I'd just been telling Stav how well things seemed to be going for her. I guess it was still true. It's nice to know as a single woman you have backup.

The first beater returned to us beaming a smile and explained that, well, this is how men are punished in India for inappropriately touching women (tourists or otherwise). It's bad for business having guests groped and besides, I think he was bubbling under with some untapped rage and quite enjoyed having an excuse to kick the shit out of someone.

Oh well, that's ok then.

He said they'd told the guy to apologise and he'd said (in Hindi)"fuck them, they're tourists". I'm dubious as to whether this is actually true, but I guess we can all sleep better at night knowing some guy can't open his eyes anymore for having wandering hands. I guess he learned his important lesson: you don't fuck with an Israeli woman. Hehe.

Anyway, I thought I'd make my post vaguely upbeat and amusing in an attempt to paste over the fact that I'm actually desperately sad that Stav has just left me for Rajasthan. She is truly amazing this one and I guess I'm lucky to have known her.

Non-attachment love and all that.
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uh.

The urge to move now is rather strong. I think I will go to Almora tomorrow. Or maybe day after.

And thankyou for cousin Phil for giving me some tremendous news. Radiohead live. Last time was glorious so I'm sure it'll be worth flying home for...