An attempt at a summary or conclusion

I guess all good things must come to an end sooner or later. I've been through so many 'lasts' in the last (haha not deliberate) few weeks, and now we reach what I think is the Last last! My final blog about DUF and India.

I wrote the above 3 lines over an hour ago, and still don't really know where to start. During that time, I've spoken to Celia online, found a video someone else made of DUF on Youtube which made me cry, and been asked to do an interview for the Daily Telegraph relating my Lattitude experience. So you can see that although this may be my last blog and signify the end of a part of my life, I'm not going to be allowed to forget it, even if I wanted to. Which I definitely don't.

Coming back home felt good in that I had achieved what I set out to do, and it was really good to see my family and friends again, which I've been doing ever since I got back! But it's very strange to think nothing particularly monumental has really happened here. It's almost like stepping back in time. Not that I can specifically pinpoint what was so monumental about my trip. But it was. I've changed a lot and it's strange trying to fit in back here. Almost like starting another new life. And then in 10 weeks or so I'll be starting yet another new life up in Birmingham.

So what do I miss about India?

• Top of the list is obviously all the kids and young people at DUF who were my experience and made my experience what it was. Closely followed by all the staff at DUF, and especially Kavita.
• A very close second to the kids is Celia. And I don't think she'll mind losing out to them. I was so incredibly lucky to be placed with her - it was just one of those amazing things. We didn't just get on well because we were stuck together for 4 months; we became good friends.
• Mountains. Stupid as it may seem, I got so used to the mountains surrounding Manali it's almost like they became a part of me. I missed them while I was travelling through polluted cities where I couldn't even see the sky, and now I'm home, I can see the sky but it seems empty!
• People. It's so quiet and empty here in so many ways. There are no groups of children playing in the streets, no noise from religious ceremonies throughout the day and night, no calls from shepherds or cowherds, no greetings (or leerings) from people you walk past. Everyone is more wrapped up in their own world here and it makes for a quiet environment. There are positive and negative sides to both situations I guess, and I'm not sure which I prefer.
• Animals. Seeing dogs, donkeys, cows chickens etc on the roads all the time became an amusing part of life over there and it's strange to see the roads (which are tarmacced and marked)empty of wildlife.
• Food. Whilst I don't want to eat rice at the moment, I can see a time in the not too distant future when I crave the rice, dal and potatoes I lived on for 4 months. And not forgetting chapatti of course. I made some of them the other day.
• Devotion. Mornings are very empty without being able to join in with the singing of joyful songs before breakfast
• School. Teaching is what I've always been destined to do. I was at school here for 6 months of my year off, then I was at Rainbow School which was the best teaching experience of my life so far, and now I'm not there.

I could go on and list all the other elements of DUF that made up my day as separate points. I miss it all. Tea. Even though it was milky and sweet. I miss it. Sitting in Auntie's room chatting about nothing in particular. Laughing with Kavita. Planning lessons. Melting chocolate in a plastic freezer bag. So many weird and incredible memories and habits that are gone now.

I guess I should try to explain how I've changed. Way too difficult. I think really I haven't changed so much as been allowed to show the true me - the person I've been all along. In having so much independence and being somewhere noone knew me, I was able to be completely myself and enjoy doing what I wanted to do. It was kind of like a sneak preview of what I hope I will be able to achieve in my life - a successful teaching career that benefits others, surrounded by friends and family I love and that love me. I don't know how much sense that will make to any of you, and it's a very simplified way of putting it, but it's about the best I can manage.

Talking (or writing) about my experience is so difficult - there is so much, but a lot of it is of the sort that only means anything to me and maybe Celia. Even when I was out there, I couldn't send emails home filled with information, and relied on my good friend Nathan to pose stupid questions for me to answer; from 'what colour are the walls of the room you're in' to 'India: love or hate'! I find myself talking about the stupid things like how ridiculously expensive everything is here (examples are polos, 39pHere/6pIndia and Coke, 90p 500ml Here / 25p 600ml India), or exactly how it is to ride in a rickshaw or on a bus for 15 hours. I can't describe the true experience I had there.

Or maybe I can. In one word. LOVE. That's what those kids are. I saw it again when I watched that youtube video just now (search for "dar ul fazl"). They are just so giving of themselves and so appreciative of what you can give them and what they have. That is why I felt so at peace up there in the mountains - I was surrounded by love 24/7. Considering the personal stories of each of those kids and the history of the home itself, they are incredible. Everyone who visits there falls in love with the place for the views, the air, the food, but mainly for the kids. They are the perfect medicine for any ailment. Being with them has made me determined to succeed in my life, and to do it with happiness and love in my heart. That's what I have learnt, or how I've changed, or the message I want to send out to all of you who have read this blog so diligently. Whatever it is, it's Love.

And now having come to that very emotional (and very corny) conclusion, I am signing off from this blog. It has been a pleasure to write for you all, and I hope you have enjoyed it. There will of course be more of my 3,244 photos popping up on Flickr over the next few weeks, so please check that if you'd like to . Thank you for all the support you've provided during my adventure, it was really appreciated especially in the harder moments.

My GAPper's tale has come to an end, so now I must say:

Goodbye,

Philippa xxx

PS - I have just been doing some 'post-amazing experience' research, and have found this: www.sheeba.co.uk jewellery site. They raise money for DUF! If you're looking for jewellery for gifts or something, please take a look at this site!

And if my tale has inspired you to help out other children in similar situations, please take a look at "Red een Kind" - www.redeenkind.nl - the charity through which most of the kids there are supported.

Thank you

Lovely jubbly

Hi everyone - I'm home!!!

Got back safely last night after an 8 hour flight spent watching movies!
Today I've done some sorting out, grocery shopping (it's all so expensive!!!) and visited FCC.
I'm going to a bbq tonight to see all my friends which will be nice, and then I can focus on getting back into the swing of things. I'll write a proper blog attempting to summarise the experience in a couple of days if I can.

TTFN
Philippa

P.S - the title is in reference to the many rickshaw drivers who spouted that phrase at me the moment they discovered I was from England!!!

Too much Jam

"Too much Jam" - immortal words uttered by one of my rickshaw drivers here in Delhi, in reference to the traffic. It really is rather ridiculous.

I arrived here on Friday afternoon and spent the rest of the day relaxing and playing with the girls (Sakshi 4 and Aanya 2) at George and Rajni's.
Yesterday (saturday) I was out all day, doing a bit of sightseeing and last minute shopping, and then today was spent with some of the friends I made on Bible Camp.

Tomorrow is my last full day in India - argh!

Sorry, short entry but I'm going to bed soon. Really excited to come home.

TTFN x

Birds in Bharatpur

Hello everyone!
Do you like my creative and alliterative title? Hehe I have been trying to live up to the 'great writer' status some people have suggested I have. This blog has really become just a gathering of random thoughts as I sit at the computer though.


So I am indeed in Bharatpur. I was originally planning to come here from Agra by bus this morning, but actually came yesterday afternoon. My reason was 3fold:

1 - Agra was hot dirty and smelly, and constant hassling from just about everyone I met had put me in an 'I hate India' mood
2 - My hotel really wasn't that great once you got over the fact it had a rooftop restaurant with a view of the Taj Mahal. In fact it was downright horrible
3 - My friendly rickshaw driver became a little too over-friendly and seemed to be under the impression he would join me for my day in Bharatpur

So all in all I figured that as I had nowhere else to visit after 3pm, I'd be better to get on a bus and suffer the hot journey then, and have a good night's sleep in my nice quiet peaceful 'jungle lodge' before going to see the birds in the morning. So that's what I did.


The only other guest here last night was Catherine, a medstudent from England who came out here to work in a hospital for a few weeks, and she is also an ex-gapper! We shared dinner so we could have more variety as we were both kind of fed up of being on our own, and spent a good few hours chatting. Then I had a really good night's sleep (my plan to go see the birds at 6am rapidly going out of the window), and a nice breakfast here before walking to the Keoladeo Ghana National Park.


Now you need to know that the main reason I came here for the bird park was because it was recommended to me by 'Richard at work'; a colleague of my Dad's! Although it's the wrong time of year to do any wildlife places here in India, and in fact most of them are closed, he said it was well worthwhile.

And I have to admit he was right. For 25 rupees (30p) I was able to hire a bicycle for as long as I wanted, and go for a pedal through the park. There really weren't that many birds around, and I heard more than I saw, but nevertheless it was a nice semi-relaxing way to spend the morning, and I also saw a turtle, monkeys and some cows (woo).


There isn't a lot else to do in Bharatpur really, and so I've spent my afternoon contentedly chilling with my diary and some wordsearches/crosswords. It's made a nice break, especially as I'm going to the hustle and bustle of Delhi tomorrow. But I am even glad to be returning to Delhi. Never thought I'd say that. But the prospect of staying with Rajini and her family is really appealing, and it also means that in 5 days' time, I will be flying home.

I'm ready to come home now. I think if I'd still been at DUF I'd have been perfectly content to stay in this crazy country, but coping with the insanity on your own isn't for me. Especially after having so much company for so long. Plus it's too hot, I've got sunburn (despite factor 60), bites and a really weird and annoying heat rash all over my feet. Don't get me wrong, it's been great seeing all the incredible monuments and finding & asserting my independence by doing this alone, but I'm not keen to repeat the experience. Another year at DUF? Say when and I'll be there. Another day travelling on my own? I'll stay in bed, thanks all the same.

I think that's just about all I have to say. Feel like I've forgotten something but don't know what. Oh, it's my Mummy's birthday today, so Happy Birthday to her!! :)

TTFN
Philippa x

Agra

Today I'm in Agra. I'm travelling around so much you could blink and you'll miss me!

After a much more successful train journey this morning than my last one, I befriended a rickshaw driver who drove me around to most of the sites in Agra for the equivalent of about a fiver! I've seen the Taj Mahal from across the river, and am intending to go visit it at 6am for the 'sunrise'. Haha. Although I did actually get sun and blue sky for a bit today. Right after it rained....

The first thing I did on my tour was go to Agra Fort; I had a guided tour for an hour and a half! Then my driver (ooh don't I sound posh) took me to some jewellery and marble inlay shops, being perfectly open about the fact that if I buy something, he gets commission. (The driver who took me to the elephants in Jaipur tried to make it a secret but I ain't as stupid as I look!)

Next, we went to the 'baby taj' and another tomb the name of which I can't remember at the moment and my guide book is across the road in my room. That was when the sun came out, so I think I got some decent-ish photos there as well.

Finally, we went to a garden across the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal, where you get a really good view, and my friendly driver took the typical tourist photo for me:

I'm going to have some dinner on my hotel's rooftop restaurant with a view of the Taj, and then go to bed, considering I've been up since 4:30 and am going to be out again at 6 tomorrow. Then I will also be going to Akbar's Mausoleum and Fatehpur Sikri tomorrow.

TTFN x

P.S - I didn't go to Ajmer and Pushkar yesterday, but only the Jantar Mantar observatory, and then I slept for most of the day. Think one of the Cayzers gave me a bug!!!

The Pink City

So now I'm in Jaipur.

But it's not really pink, more orange really. Although I'm assured it looks pink at sunset. Which is all very well, but I haven't actually seen the sun (or the sky for that matter) since I left Manali.

All there is is a white smog that seems to be fog, cloud and pollution all rolled into one; making it very hot and humid.

After a hellish train journey from Delhi to here (bus from Chandiragh to Delhi first; made friends with an Indian engineer), I slept in the 'common hall' of my hotel from 5 - 9am, as I wasn't able to check into my room, then was given a different room so I could have a shower and rest as mine still wasn't ready, and finally got into my room after I'd been out for the day!

Originally, the plan had been to meet up with the Cayzers here, but I couldn't get hold of them yesterday, so after freaking out for a bit because I hadn't come prepared for lone travel here, I pulled myself together and consulted the Lonely Planet and my Globetrotters guide!

I visited the Ram Niwas Gardens complete with Museum of Indian handicrafts, the zoo, the City Palace and Palace of the Wind. Then I took a tour with a rickshaw driver who took me to see the elephants who work at Amber in their home - WOW, to a textiles factory and a jewelllery factory. He certainly runs a very shrewd and successful business - good for him, his customers and other businesses. But seriously, the elephant thing was soo cool.

Turns out Celia and Mummy Cayzer hadn't been feeling well; hence me not being able to get in touch, but I went to their hotel (which is actually a palace and tres posh) at 7:30 this morning, and spent the day with them. We went up to Amber fort, where they rode the elephants I'd already made friends with whilst our guide Ajay and I walked up, and then we had a magnificent tour of the place. Afterwards, we did a bit of shopping for shoes/pashminas etc, before heading back to their hotel for lunch and a rest. We did a bit more unsuccessful shopping this afternoon, before they dropped me off here at my very funky and cheap-for-what-you-get hotel, and I said my last goodbye to Celia for a while. It's weird to think I'm not sure exactly when I'll see her again.

I don't really have a formulated plan for tomorrow; I might go to Ajmer and Pushkar, which are towns about an hour and a half away, but if I don't feel like it I could quite easily just chill here for the day! Then on Tuesday morning, I travel by train to Agra.

TTFN x

Chatting in Chandigarh!!!

Hello all!

Another day, another city!
Actually, I arrived here yesterday evening at about 6:45, ahead of schedule as my bus did leave early! I got a cycle rickshaw straight to my hotel, where a huge smile appeared when I saw my room. Double bed, a/c, fan, own western toilet and a shower that I can have as hot or cold as I like!

I flopped on the bed for a while and then decided I'd better go find dinner (in the affiliated restaurant downstairs) before having a nice chilled night. I had a fantastic thali (bit of everything) dinner, and then found an ACTUAL SUPERMARKET (!) and treated myself to a granny smith apple. It wasn't great, but considering it was my first apple in 4 months, it could have had worms in for all I cared! I also got a 13rupee pack of biscuits to munch on while I relaxed and watched the news IN ENGLISH, ON A TV after a gorgeously warm shower FROM A SHOWERHEAD.

You may gather from all the caps that it was all quite exciting. But yesterday evening was just what I needed to make myself feel happier about this whole travel lark. And my day in Chandigarh was pretty great too. I had a lie-in of sorts, although technically my body clock still woke me up at 6, then ordered a cup of tea and cornflakes from room service for breakfast. I never thought I'd use room service, but as my hotel doesn't actually have a restaurant and I didn't fancy getting dressed that early....

I ditched the original plan of using the tourist open top bus to get around, and instead spent the day on various cycle rickshaws, most of whom didn't seem to cheat me much! In just 7 hours, I found an unnamed not special but fabulous park, went to an art gallery, a museum about how the city was created, a museum about the high court, the ROCK GARDEN which I love and wish I could live in - there are even swings in big rock arches, and a big man made lake where I visited the mermaid restaurant suggested by lonely planet for a late lunch. I think that was just about it. But it was a good day.

I'm feeling happier about the whole lone-traveller thing now. Although obviously it'd be better with someone else, I feel like I can cope now. Chandigarh is so much nicer than Amritsar - cleaner, greener, easier to navigate (it's built on a grid system not dissimilar to MK), cooler just about and just generally a nicer place to be. Tomorrow I have to get a bus to Delhi - I went to book today and apparently they run every 5 minutes, despite the journey taking 5 hours! - and then I have an overnight train from Delhi to Jaipur where I will be meeting up with the Cayzers - HURRAY!

That's about all I have to say, but I just thought of a couple more observations:

1 - in trying to blend in by wearing my Indian clothes (partly because I threw away the jeans and 4 t shirts I brought with me) I seem to have actually made myself more conspicuous - all the people who have come to talk to me have mentioned my clothes and wondered whether there is a particular reason for it. At least it's a good way in to explaining I was teaching - I seem to get more respect when they know that.

2 - I keep looking through photos I've taken and suddenly get as far back as the DUF shots, and immediately I feel very emotional. I'm trying not to think about it too much at the moment - it's too hard when I feel like I don't want to be travelling sometimes.

3 - Factor 60 (!) suncream is a miracle. Except when you miss part of your back and your top has a large neckline that slips backwards....

Love you all, looking forward to seeing you again,

TTFN x

The Golden Temple

Hello all.

I tried to write to you yesterday, but the server went down. So please forgive me if this post is bit short; I don't know if I can really be bothered to write it all again!

I arrived here in Amritsar yesterday at 8am, and got a cycle rickshaw to the Golden Temple. Having signed into a dorm where I have a bed and a locker to keep my stuff in - free of charge - I had a cold shower which was absolute heaven! Then I went out to explore the Golden Temple. It's not as impressive as I'd imagined, but then again I was tired and hot (it's sooo humid here) so maybe I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have. I also think it probably looks more spectacular at night, but when I got back from the border closing ceremony last night, I was so tired I just threw some more cold water over me and fell into bed.

The border closing ceremony was really good fun - it involved a lot of shouting and dancing, and people running to the Pakistani side carrying Indian flags, and then the guards in their ceremonial uniforms quick marching about and kicking etc. before the flags were lowered to signal the closing of the border. It was like a big festival - people were selling DVDs of the event, along with indian flags and visors, and even bags of popcorn! I took a shared taxi there and back, so ended up chatting with a sikh family, through the son who was the only one that spoke English!

In between the temple and the border, I took a wander around this part of the city. Bought a couple of pairs of 'jutti' or punjabi flat shoes, some bangles and a really good mango milkshake!!! I found a really nice cafe to eat lunch in (oh I forgot to mention I partook of the free community kitchen food here for a late breakfast, it was really good), and booked myself a decent bus to and hotel in Chandigarh for later today.

I have to admit that so far, travelling on my own hasn't been much fun. I think it's probably because I've become so used to having Celia there with me and being surrounded by kids most of the time; it's suddenly very lonely on my own. And it makes me an easier target for pushy touts and men who may well just be interested in where I'm from, but you never know. Although I had been warned that Punjabi people are very friendly, and it seems to be true. I even get random women saying hello and shaking my hand in the middle of the market! There aren't nearly as many westerners here as I expected, and I think that is also playing a part in making me feel like I stick out. I was hoping to just be able to blend in with the tourist crowd whilst travelling, and so far that hasn't really worked. The other people staying in my dorm room don't speak English either, so it was a very quiet morning getting packed up and organised.

I did have one small success today - on my walk around the local streets I found the garden memorial that commemorates the martyrdom of hundreds of Indians shot during a peaceful protest by the British. It's really beautiful, and I only wish it wasn't so hot, because I could quite easily have spent an hour or so just lounging on the grass.

I have to leave to get my bus in half an hour (1pm), although it doesn't actually leave until 3. Can't quite fathom that one myself either, but I have nothing better to do and at least then I won't miss it, plus will probably get somewhere with either a fan or ac to sit.

TTFN x

Typing through tears

So it's all over. Just under an hour ago, Celia and I said teary goodbyes to everyone at DUF before hopping into the car with her family (who arrived Saturday night) and coming into Manali. They've given me some time to go to the post office and write this etc, and then we're all having lunch together before I leave for my 15hour bus ride at 3:30.





Last night we had our farewell party, which consisted of the kids singing and dancing, and making mini speeches about what we'd done for them and how they'd miss us. It was quite emotional, but we managed to get through it without actually letting any tears fall. Although Mummy Cayzer wasn't quite so successful!!!



There was no power before the ceremony started and we were upset because we'd wanted to show photos with Wayne's projector, but luckily it came back just as we were going to start, and after some mishaps with 2 laptops and discs (both laptops managed to give me an electric shock), we got it sorted. They loved the photos and it was really good to see them up on the wall so big.

We were also given presents - small beautiful rugs - and Auntie and Mami both expressed their gratitude to us. It was a really nice evening. Afterwardsw, Celia and I stayed up until mignight doing not a lot, as we'd already done all the packing and cleaning, writing gift tags etc, and then we got up at 5:30 this morning to face our last morning.



I think we made it until about 9am before we cried, and then a goodbye letter from one of the kids almost had us bawling! We took a group photo with the school, and then waited until 11 to leave. The whole school came to say goodbye and shake our hands - even those that didn't know us at all, and we were both crying and only got worse when one of our favourite boys cried as well! I think it's a good thing we had Celia's family there or we'd never have managed to drag ourselves away.



So now I'm going to be on my own until Saturday when I'll meet up with the Cayzers again in Jaipur; between now and them I am visiting Amritsar and Chandigarh. I will do my best to keep you updated at every place I visit, and will be back in the country in just 15 days!!!



TTFN xxx

Our leaving speech...

OK.

OK. We wrote this speech because we refuse to have to dance, so the time will be filled with us talking instead of making fools of ourselves, although knowing us, we’ll probably do that anyway!

So here goes…

We have to admit that during the first couple of weeks, we had mixed feelings about being here; we suddenly found ourselves in a strange country without our families, surrounded by 90 kids we didn’t know, which is a bit daunting to say the least. And when the boys of class 4 – led by Suresh – decided to switch name tags on us in our first lesson, the prospect of getting to know you all seemed so much more difficult.

But over the next couple of weeks, we began to feel more at home and started to learn not only your names but also your personalities. Except for Tsering, who refused to tell us his name in class and so for the first month was known to us only as ‘Bob’.

Neither of us has ever been made to feel so much a part of a large group of strangers so quickly. Chhutzin in particular played a big part in making us feel accepted in the beginning; every day after devotion he would be at the bottom of the steps in his man-u hat, ready to talk to us about everything and anything. We’ve never been able to leave our room without at least 3 people cheerfully greeting us, and Annay always made us porridge which helped us to feel at home.

It didn’t take us long to realize we weren’t part of a group of strangers anymore but part of a family. This hit us when Auntie announced during the preparations for Wayne and Buangpuii’s wedding that we were not to consider ourselves guests, but were part of the family with equal responsibility for representing the home.

We have memories of each one of you that we’ll treasure forever; it’s a guarantee that time spent with you will always end up in laughter. Some of our favourite moments include:

Panma shouting across the ground in an English accent

Martin getting a pencil stuck in his cast

Pawan popping up anywhere at anytime,

Playing silly games with Skarma and Yungchen

Dancing to Steps in the rec room with the small girls

And Chhorten’s constant YMCA-ing!

Steps and the YMCA aren’t the only dancing that’s gone on since we’ve been here. You all showed an incredible amount of devotion during practice for the wedding, and the results were spectacular. And somehow our parent’s day group persuaded us to dance and teach lindy hop, which wasn’t in the plan at all. But dance practice was so much fun; our favourite moment has to be Pema and Khasdup wearing the girl’s leggings pulled up to their armpits!

You’re all blessed with so many talents; not only dancing, but singing, sports and academic abilities as well. WE always enjoyed sitting and watching you play baseball, basketball, football or marbles, and Jograj made us laugh by combining two talents into what we call his ‘out dance’.

Somewhere between all the studying and playing, you still found time to help us out; Dechen-Angmo constantly offered to empty our bin, and Rinchen and Urgyan among others have both helped us tidy up. We’ve never been allowed to carry our bags anywhere as the boys are so polite, and we’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve heard ‘ladies first’.

You’ve all been brought up to be so friendly and respectful, and credit for that must go partly to your wardens and staff, to whom we also have a lot to say. From the start, they welcomed us onto the teaching team and were there to help us when we needed guidance or advice. Auntie has been a constant source of comfort and friendliness, and we will miss being in her sitting room and chatting. When we got ill, Joy and Mami in particular were great, and Annay fired up the porridge stove for us once again!

We’ve got so many good memories with them as well as with you all that it would be impossible to list them. And we’re sure you must have heard all this many times before from other GAPpers or visitors – as it’s your personalities that create these memories.

Each one of you will be in our thoughts, hearts and prayers forever; the time has flown so quickly and we’ve made so many friends for life. We came here as volunteers expecting to give something to you all, but instead we’ll be taking a lot more away with us than we could ever have imagined. It’s a true blessing that we were sent here to become part of such an incredible family, and we can’t express enough our gratitude at your welcoming and inclusive reaction to our arrival, and your continuing and strengthening friendships with us over the last 4 months.

Here are some photos of some of our favourite memories.

Thank you, we truly love you all.

Last one from Manali?

Hello all,

This will definitely be my last blog to you as a GAPper - on Monday I officially finish my placement at DUF :( and will be travelling to Amritsar!

All of last week and this week have/will be full of preparations of the following sorts:
-packing
-tidying up
-cleaning up our 'penthouse suite'
-writing notes and letters to the kids and staff
-giving out gifts
etc.

I am in town early this morning to send a box of things home - not as big or heavy as the one that was sent out here, but I don't particularly want to carry all that around on my back for 2 weeks!

Every school day I am also now teaching a small group of kids to play the recorder and to lindy hop. Not at the same time of course. It's parent's day at Rainbow School on Friday and so there are to be many different performances. We have 2 - amazing grace on the recorder (which about half the kids in the home are now attempting to play during any spare moment and driving us all insane), and a lindy hop dance to 'barefootin''! It's good fun - every afternoon after lunch, lessons are cancelled and Celia and I get 10 of the coolest sweetest most fun kids up in the rec room to dance! I think we may actually pull it off, and they're having matching colourful outfits of skirts for the girls and braces for the boys that we bought material for yesterday!

We've also created a powerpoint of some of our favourite photos to show them after our speech when we leave (which hasn't been written yet). Wayne has a projector that we helped him learn to use so he's said we can borrow that. Should be good. May spark us off into a crying fit though - it was quite emotional just looking through them all again.

I'd better go as the post office should be opening soon, and then I have to get back to DUF in time for lessons or Celia will be teaching on her own again!

TTFN,

xxx

Quick Blog

Hello all

No time today, but not sure when I'll next be on.

Went on picnic on friday with some of our classes from school, good fun, beautiful place.
Feeling much better - after writing last, illness decided it wasn't actually gone, but am now totally over it.

Planning travel - booked one train but the system's slow so that'll have to be next time

Main bulk of present shopping completed.

0nly 2 weeks left - argh!

ttfn, sorry it's so short!

Bloggin'

It's getting really difficult to think of things to write. Either there's nothing spectacular going on, or there's so much going on, but it's too small to be able to successfully convey to you at home what it all means to me.

Things I can think of to tell you today:

After camp, a lot of us have been a bit ill; me included. 'Delhi Belly' kept me in bed for 2 days, but everyone was really helpful; Celia looking out for me, Anay offering to cook me anything I fancied eating, and all the kids praying for me! I'm feeling a lot better now, and I can even bend my knee enough to walk up the stairs! Hurray!

The weather is glorious at the moment, although still apt to change at any moment it likes - kind of like England really! But it's very pleasant to be able to sit outside and enjoy a light breeze in the sun.
Classes 2-4 are having their picnic next friday - we are of course going too, wouldn't pass up such a good opportunity to interact with the kids - and I'm hopeful for a really nice day and lots of photo opportunities.

Speaking of photos, I was really organised today and brought in ALL the memory cards so I could spend as much time as I wanted uploading some - and then forgot to bring in the USB lead. GRRR. Never mind. More time for present shopping, which is our aim for the day, so that it is all finished, and we can get a clearer idea of what we've got to pack. (and how much junk I have to cart around with me for 2 weeks).

We cleared out some of our stuff yesterday - starting to organise clothes and things into 'throw away', 'donate', 'leave for next gappers', 'take travelling' and 'take home'! It's not that we're eager to leave, but realistically, we need to start thinking about this stuff, and if we do it now, we hope we will be able to spend the rest of our time here with the kids as much as possible, without always worrying about having to pack and get ready to leave etc.

I am almost starting to miss things about home at the moment - mainly because I've been ill and on my own in bed wanting home comforts I think. I had the strangest craving the other day to have a picnic at Millet's Farm, and desperately need a ham sandwich!!!

I have also started to properly plan my travel after I leave here - after being unable to contact a prospective jeep safari, I've decided to leave that until I return at a less devastatingly hot time of year (oh yes, I will definitely be returning to India more than once if I can manage it), so now I just need to finalise my plans and book some transport and hotels.
To give you a rough idea, I plan to visit Amritsar (the golden temple), Chandigarh (the rock garden), Agra (enough said), Jaipur (the pink city) and Delhi (to stay with friends and be able to fly home!!!!)

Wow, I'm quite impressed with how much I managed to gabble on about - hope you all enjoy wading through the nonsense! You've only got 6 weeks more of it to go!

Best wishes to all at home, and thanks for all the birthday wishes by the way,

TTFN,

Walking on Water!

Hello all!
As I mentioned before, Celia and I have spent the last week in Mussoorie, near Dehra Dun, on a youth Bible camp along with 8 of the kids from DUF and Kavita, one of the teachers. After a gruelling 20hour journey to arrive at the camp in heat and hail (!), we spent a week participating ni various races and activities, as well as attending seminars and lectures on Faith, and how we can strengthen it etc. It was really interesting and although I didn't expect to, I actually got quite a lot out of it. We made some really good friends there as well, and one of the pastors and his wife have invited me to stay with them when I am in Delhi before flying home.

The other thing I got from Camp is a very sore knee! Typically, whilst running a pretty simple relay race on the first day, I trip and skidded across the concrete, taking off a rather large patch of skin and helping my knee to swell to twice it's size. Well, nearly. Luckily, 3 of the leaders at camp were doctors, so I was well looked after, with poor Abijit having to dress it for me everyday. It's still oozing a bit, but it's a lot better and the only thing I struggle with now is going up and down stairs - not really good when you live on the 4th floor!

But all in all, it was really good; the seminars were really interesting and not at all as you'd imagine, the speakers made it really good fun. The participation in smaller groups and prayer groups was difficult at first as I wasn't really keen on speaking up, but the others in the group quickly became friends and confidantes, and made the experience very worthwhile, despite the fact I missed out on a lot of the bonding during games and treks etc!


So now there are only 27 days left at DUF :(
And 6 weeks yesterday I arrive home.

It's very strange to have to start imagining life at home again.

TTFN xxx

Happy Birthday to me!

Hello everyone!

Just a quick post to tell you how amazing my birthday has been - even though I'm not at home.

From 6:30 until 8 this morning, I received a steady stream of really sweet, thoughtful handmade cards and pictures from the kids, along with some photos of them, a banana and an alarm clock!

Some of them were sooo sweet that I have to admit I was subject to some tears. I just felt so loved and they were all so genuinely excited to come and shake my hand and wish me a happy birthday. Celia cried as well, as I think we both realised that we really are going to struggle to leave this place with our hearts in tact in a month's time!

I'm going for a meal in a moment with Freny and her family, and the other gappers, and then I think we're having a bit of a tea party this evening at DUF, as it is Buangpuii's birthday as well!

We are going on Bible camp for a week from tomorrow with some of the kids from the home, so when I get back I'll fill you in on some more!!

TTFN xxx

RADIO OXFORD 3:10 TOMORROW!!!!!

Dear all, I can't be certain about this as I've only just picked up a slightly confusing email, but if you can listen to BBC Radio Oxford at 3pm ish tomorrow (which also happens to be my birthday), you may hear me talking about GAP!!!

That's all I know and I can't promise, but there is a chance, thought you might like to know!!!

TTFN

Bananas from the CID!

Hello all!
I had a complaint yesterday that I haven't written anything for a while.
I'm sorry.
Well, sort of.
There is just so much going on here all the time.
Plus NOONE LEAVES ME COMMENTS SO I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S BEING READ!!!!!
Na, I'm not bitter really.
So settle down and prepare to read a very condensed version of some of my adventures in the last 2 weeks:

We decided that as we haven't actually managed to do any of the touristy things around here, we'd better get on with it or we'd run out of time. So last Saturday, we visited Old Manali. That really is the place famed for Hippies. And you could tell. It's where most Western tourists stay, rather than here in the centre of town, and all the stalls were full of hippy clothes and things. But some very cool stuff too. Celia and I now have matching jumpers.... actually, we've managed to accumulate quite a lot of very similar clothes since we arrived. We each had 3 new tops made for teaching this week as well and it wasn't until we got them home that we realised we'd each got one red, one blue and one green - despite spending a good 20 minutes debating together in the material shop!
It POURED with rain while we were in Old Manali, but luckily we'd both been sensible enough to take raincoats. It's about the only place I actually feel normal wearing my flowery mac anyway!!! We met up with Alex and Elyse there for lunch at a very chilled out place - food was pretty good and cheap so a bonus!

Then on Sunday, we knocked another 'tourist place' off the list, and went up to Washist for lunch with Emily. Have I mentioned her before? She's not with GAP/Lattitude, but has been teaching in Day Star School here in Manali for about the same time we've been here. That partivular trip wasn't overly impressive. It's very similar to Old Manali in terms of the type of people you find there, and the only real attraction is the hot springs, which we didn't go to. Lunch at 'Big Fish Cafe' was good, but we had to wait almost an hour for it to be served! But at least it's been ticked off the list.

We were planning to tick Kullu (about an hour and a half away by bus) off of the list today, but having been ignored by the bus driver and walked all the way into Manali, we decided to change our plans around, and I think we'll visit the Hadimba Temple here after lunch instead! And I guess we still ticked something off, as I've said from the beginning that I wanted to walk all the way in one day. But I wasn't planning to do it in plasticy flipflops that give you blisters if you walk in the heat and mud for almost an hour and a half......

In other news, Chris and Felix are on holiday from their placement in Dharamsala this month and came to visit us. They took our lesson with Class 2 for us on Thursday and were an instant hit - Chris ended up teaching them to sing 'Kookaburra' with his mandolin. Some of the girls seem slighly obsessed now. When we said we were coming into Manali today, the first thing they said was 'to see Sir Chris?'! Scarlett and Megan, who came to a placement in Dehra Dun in January and have now finished, have also arrived here this week, although we haven't managed to meet up with them yet.

First term exams at school are next week, so we've been doing lots of revision in our lessons, with posters and quizzes and pictures and whiteboards and all sorts of games; as a result of a straight 3 hours' worth of planning, our floor is absolutely covered in all the above and a whole load of stationary to boot. I'm about a week behind on my diary because we've been so busy...
We've written 2 exams out of 4 so far, but the first one might need to be changed as we think it's a bit too tricky and is for the lowest class. Unfortunate for Celia's hand - she's writing out all the neat versions as my handwriting would make the exam impossible!

Well I think that's about it for now, lots of fun things coming up and I'll be leaving before I know it, but let's not think about that right now.

Oh and incase you've been wondering all the way through what any of this has to do with bananas, the CID apparently check how DUF spends its money every few months, and they paid us a visit yesterday, armed with presents of bananas for all the kids. Celia and I found the concept of bananas from the CID rather amusing, so that had to be the title of this entry!

TTFN xxx

A trip to the snow and a wedding

Greetings!

It's been a very long but very good weekend. There was no school on Thursday and Friday so that wedding preparations could take place, so we've had plenty of time to chill (or rather, help out).

On Thursday, Celia was unfortunately not very well, so I had a trip out without her. Buangpuii's family were taking a trip up to the snow line at Rohtang, and I was invited along. We left just after 8 in the morning, and didn't return until 4. But it was a really enjoyable day and they were all really friendly. I sat on a yak, enjoyed watching them fall over on skis and learnt some interesting things about Mizoram. Oh and with my first step onto the snow, I sank right up to my knee! Typical!

Friday, we spent the whole day helping to decorate DUF in preparation for the wedding. The archway was covered in ferns, and then hundreds of roses made from tissue paper were employed in the decoration of the main hall and the church. We also helped to make a banner, and made friends with the visiting Canadian friends and family members of Wayne. In the evening, we attended the traditional ceremony from Mizoram (the state Buangpuii and most of the staff come from) at which Wayne had to officially 'buy' Buangpuii from her family for the princely sum of 420 rupees! The money was then divided between the bride's family, which included her 'sisters' from the home, who thereby made a commitment to always be there for her. It was really sweet.

On Saturday, there were a few last minute preparations, like helping to cut vegetables to feed 300 people etc, and then Celia and I put on our fabulous Mizo skirts which are like very long, very warm sarongs. The girls all told us how pretty we looked, but we were nothing in comparison to the really cute flower girls, the bridesmaids and of course Buangpuii who was absolutely stunning. We travelled to the church in the jeep with Buangpuii and her bridesmaids (Sangteii drove the jeep in her posh frock, quite an amusing sight) and were treated as close members of the family throughout, which was really lovely.


Back at DUF, we had tea and biscuits, and then the program began up in the hall, with all the dance practice the kids have been doing for weeks finally coming together, and many speeches from various family members etc. It was dark by the time we made our way out for dinner, and Celia and I insisted on being allowed to help serve water (the only thing they'd let us do, despite the fact we were to consider ourselves 'family' and the rest of the family were working) before eating. The food was really good; spicier than everyday food here; and we ate with a couple of the older boys and KK, who we'd met and was helpful in Delhi!

It was easily the most enjoyable weekend we've had so far, and everyone made us feel really welcome, whether they knew who we were or not! There are only 58 days left here, and I'm really starting to feel sad whenever I think about leaving this family.

TTFN

Photos! Again.

OK this new internet place we found is pretty cool. Hopefully I'll be able to upload quite a few photos. Fingers crossed....

The other GAPpers at Dayel's 'monastery shop' in Sanjauli, Shimla

Geoffrey and Prayer Flags

(sorry it's the wrong way round, don't know how to rotate on here!)

Lady making woolen friendship bracelets with names on

(This one says Elyse, and was commissioned by me for her birthday)

Celia being taught to play guitar by Numnum

Me learning guitar as well!

I hope you like them, even more on Flickr, don't forget!!!

TTFN

It's all go in India!

Hello all

Lots has been happening here at DUF. The wedding is only 6 days away now, so every spare moment is filled with dance rehearsals, until about 11pm. And they rehearse right outside our room! We really weren't impressed on Wednesday when we'd jsut fallen into bed for an early night at 8pm, and then the loudest weirdest music in the world started to be played repeatedly just the other side of our wall! But we now either enjoy it or somehow block it out; it's worth it as the kids are getting really good at their various performances.

Meanwhile, school has continued as per usual, made more exciting at the end of this week as my box has finally arrived! This means I have whiteboards and posters and all sorts of exciting things to use in lessons, plus the 25 recorders that my brownies raised the money for. Some of the small boys spent over 2 hours tooting outside in the sun yesterday; a couple of them got as far as being able to play 'Mary had a little lamb' fairly fluently.

We've been learning guitar and have made ourselves a fret-board to practise on - from a discarded piece of fencing and some wool! Yesterday we also learnt how to make chapattis. We walked into the kitchen to discover 7 of the older kids involved in a complex yet efficient chain of making, and ended up having a go at all the stages. Our rolling out was a bit to slow, and we can't do it as well as them yet, but we're determined to learn. At least the kids said they were good. Except Tashi added 'well, it was only your first time....'!

My photos and a link to here can now be found on the Lattitude website; http://www.lattitude.org.uk then click 'volunteer' and 'hall of fame'. It's really cool - thanks go to Sofie and Ben for their fantastic captioning! Geoffrey is glad to be featured there as well. I have also been asked to blog on the website of V - a volunteering charity that also paid part of my bursary so I can be here. Their website is http://www.vinspired.org.uk but don't ask me how you'd find my blog there 'cos I haven't got a clue!

I've got lots more pictures to put up, when I can get to a computer that has accessible usb ports. This one might actually, I'll have a go in a minute! Some will come here, but most go onto my Flickr site; http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillynewton so please don't forget to look there as well. Ooh lots of links today. I hope you've all got some spare time on your hands so you can spend some time browsing.

My Lonely Planet was also in my box, so I'm vaguely starting to think about my travel plans for when I leave. We'll be halfway through next wednesday and that's really scary. May will go so quickly, and then I don't think June will even seem to exist. We've made some pretty strong friendships now and it's going to be so hard to say goodbye. We're trying to coordinate it so that we leave at the same time, to minimise the emotional drain!

I think that's all for now, keep your fingers crossed for more photographs soon,

TTFN xxx

An update - finally!

Hello all

Sorry I haven't found much time to write properly recently. It's been so busy and time is going so quickly - Celia and I really feel like we wasted the first couple of weeks and now we're playing catch up.

I could write for pages just on the last 2 days - all we've done is enjoy the sunshine at school with the kids, but it's been fabulous, we've had so much fun and got to know loads of them much better. I'd even go so far as to say we're on genuinely friendly terms with the teachers now as well.

I've visited a few more places in India now - we had the weekend in Naggar and went to the Roerich art gallery where there was a special programme of events in celebration of the centenary of actress Devika Rani Roerich's birth, and then last weekend we travelled to Shimla (10 hours on a cramped oven masquerading as a bus), and saw a few of the sights, but mainly enjoyed the atmosphere of the markets. Loads of the buildings there are like old run-down English cottages and similar buildings though, it's really beautiful.

It's so difficult trying to think of things to type on the spot whilst sat in a dingy (not our usual place we like) internet cafe; maybe i'll try and scribble something down to type up next time.

I really am so at home here it's hard to be away from DUF for long. Preparations for the wedding are in full swing, as it's less than 2 weeks away now, and 'Sir Wayne' arrived on Friday! We've had a couple more salwar kameez made up, they're so comfortable and much cooler than western clothes, although we only actually wear the tops at school, and not the silly clown trousers!

I think I'd better stop rambling now, and try to write something a bit more coherent next time.

TTFN xxx

Oh by the way, for those of you struggling to comment on here, you don't have to set up your own blog. Just write your message, fill in the silly character recognition thing, then select 'name/url' and write your name, rather than having blogspot id selected. Good luck, I look forward to reading your comments.

Sentimental rubbish written the other day for GAP

It’s a sunny Tuesday afternoon, and I’m sitting on a wall watching over Class IV as they sit individually or in small groups around the playground, heads all bent avidly over the stories they’re writing about my teddy bear, Geoffrey. Behind them, the sun makes the snow on the mountain tops glow, and the new blossom on the apple trees seems the most beautiful sight in the world.

It seems like a good time to try and write something about my impressions of India and the Gap experience, and how I feel about being here. But it’s not an easy thing to write about mainly because I don’t think my vocabulary is sufficient to successfully convey my experience of this country, this town, this school, this family.


It’s taken a month for me to get to know all the ‘sections’ of this family – the boys and girls divide into ‘big’ and ‘small’, and until yesterday, it still felt like many of them were strangers, and there was a constant awkwardness whenever we exchanged ‘good afternoon’s. Magic tricks are apparently the way to go. We spent a really enjoyable two hours last night sharing magic tricks both amazing and silly with kids of all ages. Meanwhile all around us were games of catch, basketball, marbles and slaps (which we instigated and are now regretting because our hands are constantly stinging). Since then, we are greeted as sisters in the family by everyone at the home.

As I looked around me at all the smiling and laughing faces, I felt so much a part of this large family, many members of which I haven’t met, and so at home within the walls of the compound that I almost cried. I generally enjoyed school and take part in many things within the community at home, but I’ve never really felt as settled and accepted as I do here. I guess you’ll find that children anywhere are friendly and open, and I know this experience isn’t limited to me at DUF, but will be felt be gapers and all people working in similar situations, nevertheless it is a very personal and individual feeling.

When I first arrived here, life was much more barren. Not only was the landscape a dull brown, but relationships were tentative at best – between me and the teachers, the children at the home, the day scholars, even with Celia to an extent. But every day I looked out of the window, another patch of grass seemed greener, or another apple tree had burst into blossom, and these signs of spring echoed the blooming of relationships and the forging of what I know will be life-long connections.


I was interrupted in my thoughts by the appearance of Pema at my side, story in hand and his huge trademark grin on his face. His story says that Geoffrey goes to school, but prefers to go home and eat lots of honey. I smiled myself as I remembered the first ‘reading’ lessons with this class and others, when we almost wore out the Winnie-the-Pooh story in which Pooh gets stuck in Rabbit’s hole. It obviously had an impression on at least one student. I drew a tick under the writing and sent him away to illustrate it, laughing as he ran excitedly back to where he had been sitting.


The other thing I’ve been marveling at recently is how quickly I’ve settled into the role of teacher. Admittedly, I spent 5 months working as a teaching assistant at home before coming out here, but working 1-1 with a child in England is very different to leading a class of 18 younger children who don’t all speak your language. Although classes are still quite difficult at times, it doesn’t phase me at all; I just take it in my stride and automatically use reward and punishment systems appropriate to each class’s level of understanding.

And at the same time, when we’re just being the ‘fun gappers’ after school, I slot very easily into that role as well, and find I don’t compare the children’s behaviour in and out of school. It’s almost as if I have two separate lives here, with two different sets of children to work with, even if we end up discussing school or lessons in the evenings.

Life is strange in that respect – no matter what it throws at you, you just face it head on and deal with things as they come. I guess that’s what life is. And when you don’t face what’s thrown at you in a situation like this is when the homesickness must set in. I’ve been far too busy getting used to my new roles and meeting new people to have enough time to stop returning the ball and just sit and rest. And while I may be exhausted at the end of the day, I can sleep safe and happy in the knowledge that I’ve given my all, and that my all has been appreciated by a variety of people at a variety of levels, and the effort may have made a difference to someone.

So many people who sponsored me to come out here said it was because it was a ‘worthwhile cause’, but until you’re actually here feeling the exhilaration that doing something ‘worthwhile’ actually creates, it’s just an empty cliché. I’m living that cliché and loving every minute of it.


So there you have it. I’m not sure much of this will make sense to anyone who hasn’t had a similar experience, but I hope it’s given an impression of how I feel about life as a gapper in India. In short, it is truly amazing, and all the other synonyms for amazing you may care to suggest. It’s tough at times, but also continually exciting and challenging, and the most memorable experience anyone could wish for.

Reasons to honk your horn in India

This is a list that I started to compile in Delhi; the noise of the traffic is at the front of your awareness all the time there. It's not nearly so bad here in comparatively quiet Manali, but many of these reasons still stand!:

1. To warn possible approaching traffic that you are going round a blind corner (usually where the side of the road is a sheer drop)
2. To warn cars (if you're a bus/lorry)/rickshaws/motorbikes/pedestrians/cows/donkeys/sheep/dogs that you're coming up behind them and need them to get out of the way
3. To let any of the above know you are passing them
4. To 'thank' any of the above for letting you pass
5. You ARE any of the above and want to signal back/show your annoyance at the vehicle which just passed you
6. You are about to drive past someone you know and like
7. You are about to drive past someone you know and dislike
8. You are about to drive past someone who is white, particularly if they are female
9. You are impatient and the vehicle in front of you failed to move off just a split second after the lights have changed/the road is clear
10. You're not sure whether or not the vehicle in front of you has noticed that the lights have changed/the road is clear
11. To tell an oncoming vehicle you will let them pass on a narrow road
12. The vehicle in front of youhas 'blow horn' painted on the back, and it would be rude not to oblige
13. You're in a bad mood
14. You're in a good mood
15. None of the above opportunities seem to have presented themselves recently, and you think you should just check if it's still working!!!

My daily routine.

I was asked to write about my daily routine for the GAP/Lattitude website. Having it all down on paper rather amused me and Celia, so I thought you might like to see it too!:

Wake up with alarm at 6:30
Ignore said alarm for at least 10 minutes
Drag self out of bed and throw some clothes on
Traipse across to other building in socks and flipflops for Devotion. Devotion lasts from 7 until 7:45ish, and consists of songs, prayers, and a lesson from the Bible given by one of the staff.
Talk to selection of children until bell rings at 8ish
Breakfast of porridge (usually) and cup of tea. Occasionally feel brave enough to go for rice and dal
Up to room at 8:30ish (or before, we eat breakfast on our own as staff have meeting and prayers) to plan lessons for the day/write diary/relax/go back to sleep if necessary!
First class 10:30 – 11:10
Elevenses in room – cup of lemon tea and coconut biscuit from local bakery – heaven
Second class 11:50 – 12:30
12:30 lunchtime. Lunch is a light meal here, and as such is often very strange. Can range from rice, dal and potatoes to biscuits and cup of tea.
Third class 1:00 – 1:40
Back to room – get stuff organized for last class if necessary
Fourth and final class of day 2:20 – 3:00
3 o’clock is the end of school. Relax in room for half hour or so.
3:30ish – if weather is nice, sit on wall of rose garden to watch game of baseball. If cold and wet, hide in room a bit longer.
At 4pm, we are brought a cup of tea by one or more eager children
Playing/watching games until 5:30
Dinner is at 5:30, signaled by yet another bell ringing. Am almost immune to sound of bells now and forget that they signal I’m supposed to do something. Dinner is best meal of day – lots of variety. Usually rice, dal of some sort, cabbage or spinach, potatoes and chapatti. Personally not a huge fan of chapatti, but Celia addicted!
More playing/watching sport after dinner until 6:30
6:30 means a bell rings for everyone to go inside. Usually put immersion rod in bucket for hot water to shower later
6:30 – 7:30 or earlier, depending on mood. Play/chat with small girls in their dorm. Good fun. Very silly usually.
7:30 – shower, write diary, possible cup of tea, if cold boil kettle for hot water bottle!
Somewhere between 8 & 9 is bedtime!

Settled in

I can't believe it's 2 weeks since I last wrote here.

So much has happened, but none of it very eventful really.

Apart from our lessons yesterday where the kids were inexplicably badly behaved, we've had a really good teaching week, and also made loads of progeress in terms of making friends with the children. Many of the kids who come into school from outside are much more at ease with us, and we've been able to have some really intimate and interesting conversations with the 'bigger little' children, mainly the girls, but also the boys since yesterday.

We've taken to sitting on the wall of the rose garden at school to watch the baseball games that always occur, and get brought a cup of tea while we're there - it's fabulous. Mountains, sun, a gentle breeze, cup of tea, entertainment and chat! We were out there for 2 hours yesterday, and were really surprised when the dinner bell went, as it felt like we'd only been there foir half an hour or so.

I was going to try and upload some photos for you to see, but we're not in our usual internet place today, so I don't have uploading facilities. I'll try later in the week. Although now we finally feel a part fo the school and accepted by the majority of the kids, it's a lot harder to come into town for shopping and internet, as we always wonder what we might be missing out on back at 'home'.

Today we're going to Naggar to return the sleepover favour - the family Alex and Elyse are staying with are apparently really keen to meet us. If we have time we might go to the castle there, from which there are apparently fantastic views of Manali, and also an art gallery.

Celia and I both finally feel really at home now, and it's hard to believe that we're already a quarter of the way through our time here, with only 3 months to go. And within those 3 months, there are already so many exciting things written on our calendar, the time will just fly by. These include: trip to Shimla, Elyse's Bday, My Bday, Wedding of Buangpuii, one of the teachers at DUF, and picnics with the whole school! It's all so exciting.

TTFN x

First Teaching Week

So Yesterday marked the end of my first week of teaching at DUF. In general, it was pretty good, and things definitely improved as the week went on and we got used to things.

We are teaching classes 2 - 7; class 1 and the kindergarten classes were deemed too difficult for us to cope with! After Monday, we were wishing class 2 were in that category as well; they are really difficult. But betweenus we've managed to come up with some various teaching and inspiring/disciplining strategies.

The lessons we teach are Reading, Spelling and General Knowledge. Oh the irony after two years of complaining about taking General Studies! GK lessons are from a text book, so we know what we are supposed to be teaching, but it's all really boring, so we're doing our best to make things more interesting with activities, games and challenges, especially with the 2 oldest classes who are near enough to our own age that we can just have some fun.

Friday afternoons is GAMES for the whole school. This is the first year they've run it, and it's a wee bit disorganised. Celia and I ended up with 50 kids to split into 2 teams and play baseball with for an hour and a half yesterday. I enjoyed it at points, but it was hard work, and I was very glad I brought my whistle with me to India.

We're looking forward to being able to get some class projects up and running to brighten up their classrooms as well; we've already managed to get some amazing pictures out of a couple of classes; some fo their favourite characters from stories, and others of their favourite part of the Winnie-the-Pooh story I read them. I knew that book would come in handy at some point.

Alex and Elise are coming for a sleepover tonight, so that'll be fun, and then tomorrow we're going to visit Freny and hopefully she'll be able to help us with some more lesson planning.

TTFN xxx

Some Photos

This is the view from my room at DUF. It's amazing. It always looks different every time you look! Here I am with some of the girls who like to play Hide and Seek a lot:
This is Elyse, Alex, Celia and Daisy with the 'man on the door' at the YMCA in Delhi

More photos soon hopefully, just wanted to give you a sneak preview!

TTFN

Cold Curried Cauliflower

Dear all,

I have now been in Manali for 3 days. Apologies for not writing sooner, we did come in to town on Wednesday, but all of the town was without power as they were making repairs!

Manali is really beautiful; from my room at the school I can see across orchards to snow capped mountains, and down the valley it is full of pine trees. It's so picturesque. And so quiet. Like a whole other country compared to the noise and pollution of Delhi.

When we got here, we were met by Alosius, who is the husband of our GAP rep here, Frenny. They are both so lovely - we spent some time at their house yesterday (it is a 10 minute walk from the school so Celia and I will probably visit often) and felt immediately like part of the family. Tomorrow, Aloysius is taking the 4 of us (Me and Celia, and Alex & Elise who are at a school in Naggar, about 40 minutes away) to the snow line and then to a waterfall on a mini trek.

Our placement is absolutely lovely. On the first day we had quite a lot of doubts as noone seemed keen to talk to us, and it was all a bit strange and new. But now we've got to know some of the children really well (hide and seek is an instant icebreaker), and 'Auntie' who owns/runs the home and school has warmed to us. She worries about us all the time, and checks we are happy with the food. She went to town and bought bananas especially for us, and cornflakes also appeared at breakfast this morning!

We do not start teaching until Monday, but have been given a long-term project of organising and redecorating their library. It's not a very big room, but definitely has potential and we are already coming up with ideas.

There is so much going on here all the time, but when it comes to writing about it it's really difficult. I have been keeping a quite detailed diary every day though, maybe next time I get online I will bring it with me for ideas!

I can definitely say that I am in love with this country and this town; the smells, the sights, the people (except the men who are a bit dodgy) and even the cold curried cauliflower for breakfast! If you count in weeks, I have been here for one, and am only at the school for another 16, and in 18 weeks I will be flying home. It will go so quickly and already I don't want to leave.

TTFN,

Philippa xxx

Leaving for Manali

I'm leaving th YMCA for the bus station in about 15 minutes, and then will have to endure a horrifically long bus ride up to Manali, arriving late tomorrow morning.

I'm really excited to get to DUF and it will hopefully be a really peaceful and pleasant change from Delhi and the hustle and bustle.

When I'm up there I will hopefully have more time to write properly and let you know some of our adventures (one particular rickshaw ride today comes to mind), but at the moment I'm just trying to keep you all updated on my movements.

TTFN x

Greetings from Delhi!!!

Hi everyone!

I'm sitting at the YMCA in the centre of Delhi to write this. The last 2 days have been pretty hectic but really enjoyable and spectacular and interesting and incredible! there are just too many words I would need to use to describe it.

We've explored lots of the area around us, and Rekha, GAP's rep here has given us an orientation and was kind enough to take us girls to the place she buys her clothes so we could get some salwaar kameez.

There are 12 of us; 5 English and 7 Australian. We're all getting on well and enjoying doing different things with different people.

Auto-rickshaws are definitely interesting - especially if you have more than 3 people in one! But you get used to the traffic and constant horn beeping surprisingly quickly.

I'm absolutely exhausted, so I'm going off to relax and write my diary before having an early night I think. I'll try and write again soon, but just wanted to let you all know I was here safely!

TTFN x

1 day to go

This time tomorrow I'll be in the air.

Even though I thought I was ready I've still managed to spend the whole of today organising various things, scanning documents into my computer etc.

I've arranged with the guys I'm flying with to meet at the airport, and if I've forgotten anything now, it's too late!

I also offset my carbon emissions for my flights today at a cost of £14.12 (1.88 tonnes of CO2) from Climatecare.org, an organisation that works to reduce carbon emissions throughout the world.

My next entry will probably be from India!

TTFN

Packed and ready to go

Well, almost.
I have packed everything in my bag today. But I think I will need to unpack it once more and then re-pack it, just to make sure I have everything I need.

The last few days I've almost forgotten that I'm going away; I hear of things that will be happening and think it'd be good to go see that show/take part in that event etc, and then realise after a few minutes that I won't be here!

On a similar note, today started what is going to be a week of 'lasts'. I've just come back from my last Boogie-me (http://www.boogie-me.co.uk) rehearsal for 4.5 months, next week will play host to my last ever concert at FCC, my last day of work at FCC, and then if you want to be really nitty-gritty, I suppose I will be appreciating the small things like the last night I will sleep in my own bed for 4.5 months, my last meal with my family for that length of time etc.
It's strange really, I'm not going for all that long. But I suppose it's longer than I've been away from home before by some way, and I will be able to have less contact with friends and family than you normally would when going away. But it's all part of the fun. And I really can't wait to go now.

Oh I also finally finished my immunisations today with the second of 2 disgusting raspberry flavoured drinks against Cholera. Another last!

TTFN x

Lattitude Global Volunteering

GAP has changed its name!
As of 14th February, I am travelling to India with Lattitude Global Volunteering.

I can't decide whether I like the new name or not. Why not leave me a comment and tell me what you think?

TTFN

A Map of India

I just realised many of you may not know exactly where I am going - so here is a rough idea. When I said 'remote Northern India', I meant it!

With thanks to Google Maps for their fantastic map system!

21 Days to go

Yep, only 3 weeks left.

I had my final Japanese Encephalitis injection yesterday, and also ordered my Malaria tablets - 146 of them! Whilst some of you may think this was a bit stupid as the area of India I will be in is a 'low to no risk' area, this really was one thing I (and my parents) weren't willing to compromise on. I also got a few more bits on the medical side of things - I really recommend TravelPharm for cheap-ish prices on good stuff! www.travelpharm.com

I have also gained some more sponsorship - Faringdon United Charities have contributed to the fund, and my Brownie Pack, 4th Faringdon, have started to commit to fundraising enough money for 24 descant recorders (one per brownie) that I can take to the school with me and use in addition to their current musical curriculum.

3 weeks is an odd amount of time to have left. It's not close enough to departure to feel ready, but not far enough away for me to relax. So basically I am feeling alternately stressed, scared and excited at the moment, and often all 3 at once!

TTFN x

29 Days to go!

I need to thank Dave Hudson of DG Joinery for his sponsorship of my trip, and also my friend and colleague Amy Martin for her very generous and thoughtful gift of a travel sewing kit and toothbrush cover! It was my last week as a TA this week (today being my last day) and she gave me these as a thankyou and good luck gift. It might not sound a lot, but is really appreciated, so thanks Amy!

I think I'm glad that my job is over, but it still hasn't given me much time to relax/prepare, most of the next 4 weeks is filled up with visiting people and working 2 days/week on Reception. Although I don't regret arranging to see friends and family before I leave, I am starting to wish I'd been a bit more careful when planning my time so that I won't be rushing around from place to place.

But I really am almost ready, only 6 or so things left on the 'to buy' list, and none of them essential apart from Malaria tablets. But don't worry, I will have them before I go.

TTFN x

32 Days to go

Yep, only one more month and a day and I'll be flying off to India!!

I've had some more sponsorship, from Haine & Smith Charitable Trust, Mr. Bishop of Challow Fabrications and also Faringdon & District Rotary club, who have been extremely generous.

Things are really moving now, next week is my last full-time week at work, the pile of stuff for India has got a lot bigger and I am going to try to do a 'trial run' of packing everything in the next couple of days.

I still haven't really got to grips with all the settings on my new camera (a Canon Powershot G9 if I haven't already told you that), so I need to try and get out and about to get some practise in with that as well.

Oh, almost forgot, Audrey, a friend from work also bought me a gigantic pack of Rich Tea biscuits to take with me to India for those days when I'm fed up of rice, or too ill to eat much else!! Thanks Audrey!

As my departures getting closer, I'll do my best to keep this updated more regularly. I promise!!!

TTFN, Philippa xxx

Preparations

So now Christmas and the new year is over, I'm the midst of a vast number of preparations for my trip.
My wardrobe is covered in pieces of paper with various lists of things to do and buy on them, and then further lists of what parcels I am awaiting and a check-up on the healthiness of my bank account.

Which reminds me, I must thank those who have been kind enough to sponsor me on this venture:

Ian Stringer of Faringdon Motorparts,
Mr and Mrs. Manning of Faringdon Fundraisers,
Faringdon and District Royal British Legion,
Wynn Matson of Camden House.

I am also going to give a talk to Faringdon Rotary on Wednesday in the hope that I may be able to convince them that mine is a cause worth supporting.

I have only a month left of work as a TA at Faringdon Community College, and then in February I will only be working on Thursdays and Fridays as a receptionist. The plan there is to give me a bit of room to breathe and finish all my preparations, but in reality I suspect I will spend quite a lot of time visiting friends at university before I disappear for 1/3 of a year!