Merry Christmas to all!
Have had a few Viber conversations after being entirely drunk and cold last night in my hotel room. The hotel gave me a small gift, an address book, I believe my one and only material gift today :)
Whilst lonely and bored last night, I am well and happy today. Spoke with my beautiful man, Daniel, my brother, mother and the boys, Kodie, Jerome and Scott. Also spoke with Jo who was very happy her funds were being well allocated.
Lunch time, and time for a veg thali, garlic naan and water. Miss all my dear friends and family, and wish them a wonderful and happy day
Tuesday, 25 December 2012
Sunday, 23 December 2012
Breathless and bleary eyed
Began the incredibly steep walk to Laltibhur yesterday and by jimmenies it was worth it. I rounded the top off the hill and what I saw took my breath away and left me quite bleary eyed as I looked around. I just wish the photos I took could even come close to sharing what I saw.
I think a part of my emotional dam broke as I viewed this. There are moments in time that will stay with us forever and this was definitely one of them. Our world is a wonderful, wonderful place.
As I walked back I came across these signs, I thought them very apt
As I walked back I came across these signs, I thought them very apt
The next thing I came across was a van and a family of about 15 had the Indian music up and all dancing, I gave them a smile and wished them a good afternoon. Silly silly me, next I was drawn into the dancing and festivities, blushing as they took a bunch of photos while trying on my dance moves, I'm sure ill be on Facebook somewhere, hahaha.
Today is a new day and Xmas eve, not sure what I'll do today, I think the cable car will be the go. Think tomorrow might be a little lonely, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and drinking coffee by myself... Maybe I'll plan a trek or something... Or perhaps return to that awe inspiring view, if my poor old knees can handle another walk like that ;)
Carols and cognac
I am sitting in a rattan chair in the sun, with a coffee and cigarette overlooking Doon Valley from a comfortable vantage point of 6000 meters above sea level. Padmini Nivas is an old colonial style hotel once favored by the raj set, the dining hall has stag heads, there are expansive balconies and gardens all set with tables and chairs. And so I have come to Mussoorie!!
Local housing
My monkey mate
The last few days have been fun, school closed out on Friday with visiting carolers from two of the local private schools. Meeting with the head of one school I have booked a meeting in January to see if I can get the school social club involved in promoting Raphael products from the work shop. To gain greater interest I am will promote it as a positive extracurricular activity for uni admission and look at providing a certificate of appreciation. Fingers crossed.
That night, Dave's last night, we visited a local teachers school for Chai and then went to dinner with one of the directors here, her husband and her two girls, one returned from Cambridge and the other Washington DC. Great meal with great company followed by cognac and coffee back at their plantation style home.
David has had a fantastic win with the Lions Club in Ballarat who have agreed to donate $200 towards buying track suit, shoes and spending money for a resident who has been selected for the special Olympics in Seoul, playing hockey!! Jo, if you're following my blog, your $100 will also be helping to ensure Sumit is warmly clad and can afford to have a meal out, thank you!! We had some photos taken for the local Ballarat rag, so I'll post those when I get a copy. The coach and I will be shopping next week with Sumit's father.
If anyone else would like to donate anything to help out Raphael and its residents let me know and I'll give you my banking details. I cannot tell you how much your money can do. These kids sleep with out heating, only one or two old TVs and eat simply. What heartens me is the pure joy they get from just a little music and sports, despite the fact there is only one basketball that is not half deflated.
Dave and some of the girls, Pooja, Ashu, Chavi and the house mother
David has had a fantastic win with the Lions Club in Ballarat who have agreed to donate $200 towards buying track suit, shoes and spending money for a resident who has been selected for the special Olympics in Seoul, playing hockey!! Jo, if you're following my blog, your $100 will also be helping to ensure Sumit is warmly clad and can afford to have a meal out, thank you!! We had some photos taken for the local Ballarat rag, so I'll post those when I get a copy. The coach and I will be shopping next week with Sumit's father.
If anyone else would like to donate anything to help out Raphael and its residents let me know and I'll give you my banking details. I cannot tell you how much your money can do. These kids sleep with out heating, only one or two old TVs and eat simply. What heartens me is the pure joy they get from just a little music and sports, despite the fact there is only one basketball that is not half deflated.
Monday, 17 December 2012
Sleepy snoozer
So much for getting up at 5 and doing some exercise, it's 7:20am and cold...
Daniels folks are here for a wedding in in Punjab at the end of January, I'm going to pop over and see them but am feeling a bit edgy about long 6 hour bus ride, what happens if I need to pee?? Or get on the wrong bus. The Interstate Bus Terminal is a mine field of confusion. I have a few shorter excursions planned before then so hopefully I will have a better understanding of what to expect.
Well I need to shower and try not slip over, seem to have sprung another new leak in the bathroom. At least I have water back again and the power is on :)))
Daniels folks are here for a wedding in in Punjab at the end of January, I'm going to pop over and see them but am feeling a bit edgy about long 6 hour bus ride, what happens if I need to pee?? Or get on the wrong bus. The Interstate Bus Terminal is a mine field of confusion. I have a few shorter excursions planned before then so hopefully I will have a better understanding of what to expect.
Well I need to shower and try not slip over, seem to have sprung another new leak in the bathroom. At least I have water back again and the power is on :)))
Learning outcomes and Lessons
17/1212012
Full school day, from assembly, to yoga and exercise, community engagement etc. Closed out the day writing lesson plans with the teacher Rajini.
After created a series of Christmas cut outs and coloring exercises with an accompanied Learning outcomes highlighting the different skills needed to complete the project.
Looking forward to tomorrow, I wanted to run a piece on money usage, so will be demonstrating by simulating a shop environment.
Train tragedy
16/12/2012
Went to Campbeltown to the Buddhist community and monastery, man that was one big Buddha. Then out for Chai with David and Bhola. He's been a resident here since 1964, at ten his mother laid him across the train tracks as the train was coming, he has very little movement in any of his body, basically a quadriplegic. Fortunately the driver saw Bhola and stopped the train. Such a bright intelligent man left like that is the tragedy that may have faced many had it not been for Raphael and its amazing work!!
VIP treatment
15/12/12
After a trip to town where lunch was excessively priced at $1.63 for the two of us we went to the watch a Christmas performance by a local Christian school. Maryem, a teacher here at Raphael, invited us as her daughter was performing. We sat in prime position with members of parliament and priests and treated to drinks and food as VIP guests. In Indian culture "The guest is god". After this went along to Maryem's house for Chai and snacks. She lives with her daughter and husband in a space less than half the size of my unit. As a gift David and I had some pix of her daughter printed to card. She seemed very chuffed when I gave them to her this morning showing all the other teachers.
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