Wednesday, December 4

I have walked to Udaya and Lekha’s house to collect a parcel from Amazon, and on the way back I see a man collecting rubbish. When I first spot him I see him leaving a house with his big sack. Then I see him picking bottles out of the grass.

I approach him and ask if he wants plastic. He has no idea what I mean and shouts to the house he has just left. The owner comes out and translates. He turns to me and nods vigorously.

I have been diligently keeping plastic bottles and juice cartons without knowing what will happen to them. Rubbish collection remains a mystery to me. It happens but I never understand how, or whether the visits by collectors have some kind of timetable.

I give him all the bottles and juice cartons I have. I also give some old papers. I watch from the balcony to see how he manages to get my pile (which now almost fills another bag) onto his scooter. I also wonder how he will get himself onto it.

I see how he ties the bag on but then I get distracted and miss seeing him drive off.

I notice that he has a helmet on. Not many people do.