October 9, 2014 -- Street Vendors

I know I have mentioned the vendors who come by on our street – starting at 6 a.m. with the dude on the milk-can laden motorcycle, the newspaper deliverer on his motorcycle at 6:30 a.m with a stack of newspapers on his lap up to his chin – which he folds up and heaves up to the balcony (in our case -  and Rob catches it, which makes the vendor laugh) or over the downstairs gate for our landlord.  I think I mentioned that we get the English-language Tribune 7 days a week, at a cost of 128 rs. per month – about $2.50

I should not forget the fellows – two or three  - whom we see every morning around 5:30 a.m. while we are walking in the park.  These guys arrive on a bike with a bucket, rags, etc. and enter a gate, bring out the hose, wash a car, chamois it off, then move down the block to their next customer.  It isn’t actually light yet.

There are an astounding number of other sellers – hawking their wares throughout the day (as I discovered by staying home from work this week).  The vegetable cart comes by twice a day (perhaps the same guy twice, or two different guys) and so does the fruit cart.  These are both pedal-driven wooden carts.

There is a guy who goes past on a bicycle – a tall stack of nylon webbing rolls (like you might use to fix your lawn chair)  on his carrier.  Many colours and widths to choose from – and used to repair chairs, or cot or mattress underpinnings.

There is a broom and squeegee seller.  The bathrooms here are mostly wall-to-wall shower stall, so each house needs a long-handled squeegee to dry up the floor.  Milo wanted a new broom yesterday which cost 60 rs. or about 1 dollar.  She refused my offer of the long-handled broom (so she would not have to stoop to sweep) and opted for what she knows and likes.  Picture included.

Just now, I heard a TWEE…TWEE…TWEEing sound coming from up the street and got outside in time to see the toy and novelty wala going past, blowing a party horn.  I AM IN HEAVEN!!!!!  

The trash collector comes every day to collect from each household, and a couple of House Crows (with the grey heads) ride along on the cart – jumping into the cart whenever something “good” gets added.  This man goes into each person’s gate, brings out the trash bag, dumps it into his cart and moves on.

We have a newspaper recycler, who pedals past on his bike – calling  P A  P  E  R,  P A P E R ..and the Punjabi equivalent, I guess.  There is also a guy who collects bottles.

I will attach some pictures.  I tried to send video of the jaggeri-making, but it seemed to be taking so long that I cancelled the operation.  I hope!

Sugar Cane Drink Wala

I will get Rob to shrink them down for me and resend.

Hansi, from India