Saturday, October 28, 2006
2 weeks on.....
Here we are in Pushkar, a lovely little chilled out town in Rajistan. We are here for 3 days on a mini break before starting classes on Monday.
Its amazing here. Pushkar is a very holy place with numerous Sadhus and cows in every nook and cranny! No meat or eggs are sold here nor is any alcohol, but Im told you can have Bhang Lassi's if requested involving 'special' ingrediants! Ironic really!
There are many tourists here, but it makes quite a nice change for us even after 2 weeks. At least we arent the only ones being stared at! Because people here are used to seeing foreingers it is that bit more chilled out and people have been exceptionally friendly and lovely.
Its the time for the annual camel fair where over 200,000 people gather from all arounhd with over 50,000 camels, cows and horses to sell. The atmosphere has almost reached fever pitch and in a way we are glad to be leaving tonight on the overnight train as its getting so busy. We had a camel ride last night which was fab - a bit crazy given we were about 12 feet off the ground. The camels here are so huge, but so so gorgeous.
Before we departed for Pushkar, we had admissions day for students. Over 100 applicants attended and we will be starting classes on Monday. The reality is starting to dawn on us, and its a bit scary, but we will do our best.
Its been great living with the Monks. We get a real feeling for how they live and for who they are now. They are a lot more comfortable with us around now, and the other day we enjoyed a game of badminton, a walk around Ghandi's Park where his ashes are kept, and watched the monks play cricket. I think that was the highlight - quite a sight seeing them run around, their robes flyign all over the place!
So it all begins in 2 days time - 30th Oct is oor first day on the job!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!
Here we are in Pushkar, a lovely little chilled out town in Rajistan. We are here for 3 days on a mini break before starting classes on Monday.
Its amazing here. Pushkar is a very holy place with numerous Sadhus and cows in every nook and cranny! No meat or eggs are sold here nor is any alcohol, but Im told you can have Bhang Lassi's if requested involving 'special' ingrediants! Ironic really!
There are many tourists here, but it makes quite a nice change for us even after 2 weeks. At least we arent the only ones being stared at! Because people here are used to seeing foreingers it is that bit more chilled out and people have been exceptionally friendly and lovely.
Its the time for the annual camel fair where over 200,000 people gather from all arounhd with over 50,000 camels, cows and horses to sell. The atmosphere has almost reached fever pitch and in a way we are glad to be leaving tonight on the overnight train as its getting so busy. We had a camel ride last night which was fab - a bit crazy given we were about 12 feet off the ground. The camels here are so huge, but so so gorgeous.
Before we departed for Pushkar, we had admissions day for students. Over 100 applicants attended and we will be starting classes on Monday. The reality is starting to dawn on us, and its a bit scary, but we will do our best.
Its been great living with the Monks. We get a real feeling for how they live and for who they are now. They are a lot more comfortable with us around now, and the other day we enjoyed a game of badminton, a walk around Ghandi's Park where his ashes are kept, and watched the monks play cricket. I think that was the highlight - quite a sight seeing them run around, their robes flyign all over the place!
So it all begins in 2 days time - 30th Oct is oor first day on the job!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
One Week On.........Jai Bhim!
The festival commermorating Dr Ambedkar was very special. A beautiful marque was errected outside a temple and families arrived in their best suits in order to pay their respects to the Chakma Monks who sat on the stage reciting the Refuges and Precepts. The children were gorgeous, all wanting to shake our hands rigerously repeating 'hallo Mam' 'hallo Mam'. There were a few speakers, all shouting 'Jia Bhim' to declare their respect for Dr Ambedkar, the Buddhist ex-untouchable who helped to liberate hundreds of thousands of his compatriots in India.
The warm reception and interest we recieve from the locals melts the heart, and over and over again I think on how lucky I am to be here. I love it!
I love the fact that there are random cows meandering in the roads; I love the traffic with huge lorries and buses hurtleing towards your rickshaw, the way your rickshaw driver handles pot holes inevitably rocking you fratically from side to side holding on for dear life, the smiles we get from people trying to practice their English, the monkeys on the rooftops, the way the electrcity cuts out frequently - its all just so random and exciting!
I am beginning to see just what a difference we can make to people's lives, by the impact on us just being here seems to make. I cant wait to start the classes.
Namo Amida Bu.
Charlotte xxxx
The warm reception and interest we recieve from the locals melts the heart, and over and over again I think on how lucky I am to be here. I love it!
I love the fact that there are random cows meandering in the roads; I love the traffic with huge lorries and buses hurtleing towards your rickshaw, the way your rickshaw driver handles pot holes inevitably rocking you fratically from side to side holding on for dear life, the smiles we get from people trying to practice their English, the monkeys on the rooftops, the way the electrcity cuts out frequently - its all just so random and exciting!
I am beginning to see just what a difference we can make to people's lives, by the impact on us just being here seems to make. I cant wait to start the classes.
Namo Amida Bu.
Charlotte xxxx
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Nameste - we've arrived!
We arrived to a relatively tranqil Delhi airport and I was slightly dissapointed having been promised chaos and calamity which I was kind of looking forward to.
We arrived at our new home at about 1.30am having survived the unusual drive to Yumana Vihar - our new hang out!
We are trying to adjust to the weather which is about 30-35 degrees and very very hot. Our room is nice but with no windows, it gets very sticky and muggy. My first nights sleep was very broken due to fighting with the mozzie net which kept tickling my feet and brushing my face!
Oh yes, me and Vicki know how to travel - we are well seasoned tavellers, and in true well seasoned traveller mode decided to go out for a 'short' walk. The 'short' walk without water, money, a phone number or address turned into a mission and about a 2hour adventure. We eventually got an auto-rickshaw to take us to an ATM and somehow managed to get home, then we realised we had been one street away! It was actually a good introduction as now we know our way around, we wont leave without water and money and we now know the address!
People have been very friendly. Not the cunning, deceptive rip-off merchants that some people (Not Amida!) have warned me about. They look on in interest but there is no mass crowding round or touching etc which I have experienced in South East Asia before. Thats a relief.
We have visited a few Buddhist temples and have sussed out our teaching spaces and today we visited a small community where we had planned to do some classes. The people there were lovely - smiles and chai. Unfortunately there has been a break out of Dengue Fever and 4 people have died this month. Many people in the community have been afflicted yet the Government refuse to spray the areas. We asked them what would help and they asked for Mozie nets which Amida duly provided. A small token in order to relieve the burden of such a horrible illness. Prassada has advised we tell them to put oil in the water where the Mozzies breed to stop them from laying eggs - a brilliant suggestion and we cant wait to inform the families. Thanks Prassada.
Today is 15th Oct which is the 50th Anniversary of Dr Ambedkar. Namo Amida Bu. Tomorrow we are going to join in celebrations to remember him. Im looking forward to it.
Namo Amida Bu.
Charlotte xx
We arrived at our new home at about 1.30am having survived the unusual drive to Yumana Vihar - our new hang out!
We are trying to adjust to the weather which is about 30-35 degrees and very very hot. Our room is nice but with no windows, it gets very sticky and muggy. My first nights sleep was very broken due to fighting with the mozzie net which kept tickling my feet and brushing my face!
Oh yes, me and Vicki know how to travel - we are well seasoned tavellers, and in true well seasoned traveller mode decided to go out for a 'short' walk. The 'short' walk without water, money, a phone number or address turned into a mission and about a 2hour adventure. We eventually got an auto-rickshaw to take us to an ATM and somehow managed to get home, then we realised we had been one street away! It was actually a good introduction as now we know our way around, we wont leave without water and money and we now know the address!
People have been very friendly. Not the cunning, deceptive rip-off merchants that some people (Not Amida!) have warned me about. They look on in interest but there is no mass crowding round or touching etc which I have experienced in South East Asia before. Thats a relief.
We have visited a few Buddhist temples and have sussed out our teaching spaces and today we visited a small community where we had planned to do some classes. The people there were lovely - smiles and chai. Unfortunately there has been a break out of Dengue Fever and 4 people have died this month. Many people in the community have been afflicted yet the Government refuse to spray the areas. We asked them what would help and they asked for Mozie nets which Amida duly provided. A small token in order to relieve the burden of such a horrible illness. Prassada has advised we tell them to put oil in the water where the Mozzies breed to stop them from laying eggs - a brilliant suggestion and we cant wait to inform the families. Thanks Prassada.
Today is 15th Oct which is the 50th Anniversary of Dr Ambedkar. Namo Amida Bu. Tomorrow we are going to join in celebrations to remember him. Im looking forward to it.
Namo Amida Bu.
Charlotte xx
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
The journey begins.... (well, just about!).........
Well, here I am waiting for Vicki to arrive from Devon to join me in Croydon. We have an early start tomorrow morning in order to get to Heathrow in plenty of time.....
We've had a week off to spend with friends and family before the big off so Ive been indulging in all my favourite food! Ive been justifying my indulgences as I know I'll be victim to the infamous 'Delhi -belly' and for those that know me, know that I have rather senstive bowels as it is. I think the reality of the situation dawned on me when my cousin suggested I invest in plastic pants! Today I found myself browsing in Boots trying to decide between the Tenna Lady continence pads or the Tenna Lady continence nickers with detachable pads hmmmm........has my life really come to this?!
Who knows what to expect when we get out there (apart from a bad case of the runs). The volunteer training was very helpful and has given us a flavour of what awaits us, but the real learning happens when you actually get out there and give it a go I guess. I swing from feeling quite self assured and confident to finding myself wondering what the hell Im doing. Only last week did I find out what a past participle is! I am told however that what we are doing is more than just teaching English, its trying to learn from the young people we meet, empowering both them and ourselves as we try to make sense of each other and the world that surrounds us.
Well, here goes....
NAMO AMIDA BU
Charlotte
xx
PS Thank you to everyone at The Buddhist House for making our training special for lots of different reasons x
We've had a week off to spend with friends and family before the big off so Ive been indulging in all my favourite food! Ive been justifying my indulgences as I know I'll be victim to the infamous 'Delhi -belly' and for those that know me, know that I have rather senstive bowels as it is. I think the reality of the situation dawned on me when my cousin suggested I invest in plastic pants! Today I found myself browsing in Boots trying to decide between the Tenna Lady continence pads or the Tenna Lady continence nickers with detachable pads hmmmm........has my life really come to this?!
Who knows what to expect when we get out there (apart from a bad case of the runs). The volunteer training was very helpful and has given us a flavour of what awaits us, but the real learning happens when you actually get out there and give it a go I guess. I swing from feeling quite self assured and confident to finding myself wondering what the hell Im doing. Only last week did I find out what a past participle is! I am told however that what we are doing is more than just teaching English, its trying to learn from the young people we meet, empowering both them and ourselves as we try to make sense of each other and the world that surrounds us.
Well, here goes....
NAMO AMIDA BU
Charlotte
xx
PS Thank you to everyone at The Buddhist House for making our training special for lots of different reasons x
