Lets get started shall we!!!!! Friday 21st of March

Yet a new environment and a new everyday in rural India. Waking up on a thin matt (which takes a few nights to get used to) on the floor, underneath a mosquito net, sweaty, well it is all worth it when you dip your hands in the stream right outside the house and breathe in fresh air. Acres with rice fields, coconut trees and flowers in all sorts of colours, not to mention the sound of music from the wildlife. I cannot describe this incredible notion puzzling me every morning. I am privileged to wake up to this and it is defiantly the highlight of my day.

Interviewing the farmers is though when the Soria (Sun – think that is a new name on my long list) is out haunting your every move. Yesterday I think we must have had the warmest day until now – probably around 35 degrees. I cannot describe the heat – so the 24 interviews (three of my ones) where done on a stone bed outside a farmers house, shaded by palm leaves.

This morning the enumerators arrived (to my frustration “only” two days late- but hey that is Indian time right???) After a quick dip in the nearest canal and a short training session we embraced this clouded day. I was not feeling very well today, so delighted to not have to deal with a burning heat. In fact as I am writing this it is pouring down with rain, serious rain… We went to the tail end of head reach minor today. Not so many visible issues, but damages to the minor structure, sometimes little water in the canal, no cooperatives or Water User Associations (WUA´s) in this part and generally little interaction with any institutions and officials. The WUA´s are meant to strengthen the farmer’s ability to have a direct impact and more to say in the management process of irrigation water. I am yet not convinced that these organisations are working; yet the farmers are also not convinced that this is the way to go. They have their own ways of dealing with their issues. When there are issues, they form a group and go to the offices. If there is no result they take matters into own hands. There are defiantly some evidence that they are working some places but generally all over I am under the impression that this is system are failing.

I am feeling better now that the rain is falling. The heavy pressure has finally left my head alone… I was given so much tea today, and this one farmer who could speak sulpa (a little) English, insisted on me coming to his home. Firstly serving cardamom tea (amazing taste) then secondly running up to the roof picking a coconut for me to drink, then finally ending this feast with a raw mango with salt, topping it with a tamarin (sour fruit in a shell) snack – well I have to say… Usually everything in a garden is useful. Neem trees are disinfecting, several herbs and spices, fruits, vegetables, lime trees are everywhere in this region, grass for fodder and so on. Nice—I like a lot…

I also had to come to several homes in the headquarters we are staying in. more tea, homemade sweets (which I now can make – will serve at next party) and a view into their personal life. Admiring one of the girls handicraft skills, as she was embroidering pearls onto a yellow sari (Indian dress). Beautiful.. they offered mango juice – as I had strongly insisted on no more tea.

Now I am off to bed. The rain is still pouring… Chenagide.. (l like…)