Orkeed

Had my first beer in Spain. I believe I deserved it after cycling almost 12 miles from Madrid airport, at night, on the motor way and lucky. Besides the obvious danger of fast cars and being illegal (riding a bike on the highway), and being caught by the police, if I got caught, they’d take my bike away and make me pay cash. At least that’s what the reception staff in one of the best Madrid hotels told me. This hotel was where I was to meet my traveling friend, Jammy.

I didn’t feel like leaving my bike locked outside, and this hotel was totally awesome about letting me bring my bike inside and they even stored it for me while I visited with my friend! So, totally cool. My room in the hostel where I was staying, was on the sixth floor and I’d have to lug it up all six floors, but in parts, it wouldn’t fit in whole, so I’d have to take it apart. I was laughed at by the proprietor.

I checked into the hostel the day before and there was only an easy chair to sit in while filling out the guest form. As for paying, the proprietor disappeared behind this red velvet curtain and then he comes back out with my debit card in hand for me to sign the slip. Then he shows me where I’ll be staying, in a completely different building. The proprietor was really very nice, he told he wanted me to stay in the other building because it’s a better facility. Later, I find out it’s an en-suite room, I booked a room without a bathroom, but this was so much better. A working shower too!

But, back to visiting with Jammy, his hotel room was fantastic! I wish I had the money for some accommodations like that! So, much better than a hostel. But, I do enjoy the communal feeling that a hostel gives. I meet the most fascinating people from all over the world and 99 percent of the time, they are so nice and fun. Jammy and I walked around downtown Madrid for a bit and then he had to go. But, it was nice to at least spend an hour or so with him. We grew up together, and it was great that we were in the same place and the same time in about 15 years! The financial difference between us makes no difference, we both respect and enjoy each others company and always will.

The only institution for the study of theatre in the country of India is the National School of Drama. This is located in the wonderful city of Delhi. Founded by the Sangeet Natak Academy in 1959, this is one of the foremost training center for dramatic arts in the world. The school was still connected to the Academy until 1975. It is now an independent institution and is funded by the Indian Government’s Ministry of Culture. There are two wings in the institute, one for the Theatre in Education programs and one for the Repertory theatre.

The education wing called the Sanskaar Rang Toli and stages productions throughout the country and is made up of a company of children between the ages of 8 to 18. The Repertory wing is for those who have graduated from the program. It offers them the venues to perform and to showcase their original work and to express their creative talents. This is known as one of the professional theatre companies in Delhi and every year they stage a festival during the summer months. This is a set of performances that feature the new work of the alumni as well as previously staged works in years prior.

Aside from these two divisions of the school there are also extension programs and a section for the focus on publication. The forum on literature is called Shruti, and the students selected to take part must pass a number of tests before being accepted. After the students pass the series of exams they must be screened and go through another set of tests, the personal interviews.

Once accepted, the students will go through extensive training sessions and will be required to work diligently to produce plays that are original and imaginative. These plays will be produced and performed in public, a showcase of the young talent of the country. Each year many tourists staying in the 4 star hotels Delhi supports, find joy in attending the National Theatre Festival held each January. This is one option that it very well worth when considering taking in a show during a holiday spent in the Indian city of Delhi.